Eisbock Beer: A Guide to its Flavors, History, and Pairings

Tuesday, January 31, 2023
Eisbock is a strong, full-bodied beer with a rich, complex flavor profile.

It's made by freezing a Doppelbock, a traditional German beer style, and removing the ice to concentrate the beer's flavors and alcohol content.

The process of making an Eisbock begins with brewing a Doppelbock, a malty, slightly sweet beer with a strong malt flavor and low hop bitterness.

Once the beer is brewed, it's placed in a freezer where the water content freezes but the alcohol does not. The frozen water is then removed, leaving a stronger, more concentrated beer with a higher alcohol content.

In terms of flavor, Eisbocks have a rich, malty sweetness that's balanced by a warming alcohol kick. The beers tend to have notes of dark fruit, caramel, and toffee, and a slight warming effect from the high alcohol content.

When it comes to hops and yeast, Eisbocks tend to use traditional German hops like Hallertau and Tettnang, which provide a subtle, earthy flavor. The yeast used is typically a German lager yeast, which ferments cleanly and helps to bring out the malty flavors in the beer.

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How was Eisbock beer discovered?

The accidental discovery of Eisbock is often attributed to the Reichelbräu brewery in the town of Kulmbach in Franconia, Germany. The story goes that a barrel of Doppelbock was accidentally left outside in freezing temperatures during the winter months.

When the barrel was rediscovered, the brewer noticed that the beer had frozen, with the ice containing much of the water content of the beer.

To salvage the beer, the brewer removed the frozen portion, which concentrated the alcohol and other flavorful compounds in the beer. Upon tasting the resulting beer, the brewer was impressed with the stronger, more complex flavor profile, and Eisbock was born.

Today, Eisbock is a popular and highly regarded beer style, and the story of its accidental discovery has become a part of brewing folklore. The Reichelbräu brewery continues to produce Eisbocks, and many other breweries around the world have adopted the technique, making their own variations on the classic style.

What is the ABV of an Eisbock?

The alcohol by volume (ABV) of an Eisbock can vary, but it typically ranges from 9% to 13%. Eisbocks are known for having a high alcohol content due to the process of removing the frozen portion of the beer, which concentrates the alcohol and other flavorful compounds.

It's worth noting that the exact ABV of an Eisbock can vary depending on a number of factors, including the original gravity of the Doppelbock, the amount of ice removed, and the final gravity of the beer after the ice has been removed.

How is eisbock best served in a glass?

Eisbocks are typically best served in a large, stemmed glass, such as a brandy snifter or a wine glass. The large bowl of the glass helps to concentrate the beer's aroma, allowing the flavors and aromas to develop as the beer warms up. The stem also allows you to hold the glass without warming the beer with your hand.

When serving an Eisbock, it's best to pour the beer into the glass slowly, so as to minimize the formation of a large head.

This will allow you to fully appreciate the beer's aroma and color.

Additionally, serving an Eisbock at a slightly warmer temperature, around 50-55°F, can help to bring out the rich, full-bodied flavors of the beer.

What are some good food matchings for an eisbock?

Eisbocks are strong and full-bodied beers, so they tend to pair well with rich, flavorful foods.

Here are some food matchings that are often recommended for Eisbocks:Grilled Meats: 
  • The bold flavors of grilled meats, such as steaks or burgers, are a good match for the richness of an Eisbock.
  • Stews and Casseroles: Hearty stews and casseroles, with ingredients such as beef, pork, or lamb, can be paired with an Eisbock for a satisfying meal.
  • Strong Cheeses: The richness of an Eisbock can stand up to the intensity of strong cheeses, such as blue cheese, aged cheddar, or gouda.
  • Desserts: Eisbocks can also be paired with sweet and rich desserts, such as chocolate cake, fruit tarts, or sticky toffee pudding. The sweetness of the dessert will help to balance the beer's malty flavors.
  • Spicy Foods: Eisbocks can also be paired with spicy foods, such as chili or spicy chicken wings, as the high alcohol content of the beer can help to cool the palate and relieve the heat.

Some popular brands of eisbock beer include:

  • Ayinger Celebrator: A classic example of an Eisbock, this beer is brewed by the Ayinger Brewery in Germany. It has a rich, malty flavor with notes of dark fruit and a warming alcohol finish.
  • Schneider Aventinus: Another German Eisbock, this beer is brewed by the Schneider Weisse Brewery. It has a complex flavor profile, with notes of banana, clove, and dark fruit.
  • Samichlaus: Brewed by the Swiss brewery Brauerei Huber, this beer is one of the strongest Eisbocks available, with an alcohol content of 14%. It has a rich, malty flavor with a warming finish.
  • Weinstephaner Vitus: This Eisbock is brewed by the Weihenstephan Brewery in Germany. It has a complex flavor profile, with notes of spices, fruit, and caramel.

What is the 'bock' style of beer?

"Bock" is a style of beer that originated in Germany. 

Bock beers are typically strong, malty beers that are brewed using a lager yeast and a combination of pale and Munich malts. The style is characterized by a rich, slightly sweet flavor profile, with notes of caramel, toffee, and dark fruit.

Doppelbock, meaning "double bock," is a stronger and maltier variation of the traditional Bock style. It was first brewed by monks in the 17th century in the Bavarian city of Munich, Germany. The monks brewed the beer as a source of sustenance during times of fasting, as it provided them with a rich, nourishing drink that was high in calories.

Over time, Doppelbock became popular among the general population, and the style spread throughout Germany and beyond. Today, Doppelbock is still a popular and well-regarded beer style.

Check out the quadruple style of beer. 
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