Brews and Blues Beer and Smokin’ Blues

Gordon Biersch Blonde Bock

In the past, I have normally avoided blondes... at least when we're talking about beer.  In the past few weeks, I have been reconsidering that.  These beers have their place in the world.  In most cases when I see a "Blonde" name on a beer, I stereotype it as a micro or craft brewer's offering to the BudMillerCoors crowd.  In reality, I really believe that IS the case.  The difference between the blonde offerings from micro/craft brewers and the big beer companies is the flavor and ingredients used to get there.  The micro/craft beers have a slightly (only slightly) heavier body but the mouth feel and flavor is usually impressive compared to their rice-boiled counterparts.  As a home brewer, I have never cooked up a blonde but I'm going to do one very soon.  Why?  Well, there are a lot of people in the BudMillerCoors crowd.  One of my personal objectives this year is to get a couple of my friends interested in home brewing so I can have someone to brew with rather than doing it by myself all the time.  If I brew a good blonde and pour it down the necks of those friends who say they don't like home brewed beer, I might just come up with some converts who might become more willing to expand their beer horizons.  I know that when you take someone who has never really consumed any real beer and give them a home brewed stout, porter, or some other really thick beer, they will generally spit it out.  They just aren't used to what happens to the old taste buds when they collide with a high gravity home brew.  You have to convert them slowly!

Anyway... this brings me to today's sampling from Gordon Biersch Brewing Company in San Jose, California.  The Blonde Bock isn't really a member of the family of blondes that I discussed above.  It's a blonde, but it's also a bock.  The actual origin of bocks is a bit of a mystery but it dates back to medieval times in Germany when monks would brew some really strong beers for sustenance during periods of fasting.  The heavy body and higher sugar content would provide that sustenance.  This blonde bock has a great malt flavor with a medium offering of hops which creates a very nice balance.  The blonde bock is also ringing in at 7% alcohol which gives it a nice bite.  The higher alcohol content also makes this beer best served at a little warmer temperature.  55° F seems pretty nice to me.  I'm excited about trying some more Gordon Biersch brews since they are now locally available to me...