Imperial Schwarze Gams
Origin: Privatbrauerei Loncium (Kötschach-Mauthen, Austria)
Style: Bock
ABV: 7%
IBU: Not Listed
Description: Budweiser and Clydesdales. Milk stouts and dairy cows. Brandy and St. Bernards. Some animals are synonymous with certain beers (beer styles) or spirits. But what about bocks and goats? What’s their connection and do goats carry kegs up to mountain tops and have a big ol’ party? I’ve seen countless times the two goats dueling over a pokal glass of bock on the Ayinger Celebrator Doppelbock label, but never gave them much thought. Seeing there’s another goat on the label of Loncium’s Imperial Schwarze Gams, I know it’s time to do some research.
Bock, according to Google’s investigative work, started out as an ale made in Einbeck, a Northern German city. Then Munich brewers adapted it using lagering techniques and called it “Einbock” in their Bavarian dialect. Eventually the name was shortened to Bock, which also means “goat” in German. There! The mystery’s solved! Now I can go drink this beer.
The Imperial Schwarze Gams is a medium-bodied dark bock that pours a beautiful, rich amber colour. The head is thin and dissipates quickly; swirling the glass brings the head back but ever so briefly. Malt is front and centre in its aroma – a little sweet like toasted caramel and vanilla but not heavy handed at all. The flavour is in line with its aroma, but balanced with a bit of hoppy bitterness. To be honest, I was expecting a little bit more complexity – maybe some dark fruits like raisins and plums – especially with the word ‘Imperial’ in its name, but it’s still a solid bock.
This beer would pair well with game meat dishes – how about a whole roasted duck with some seasonal root vegetables?
There are many styles of bock – from the lightest in maibock to darkest and booziest in eisbock. In between you’ll find the traditional bock, weizenbock and doppelbock. Give them all a try and see which style you enjoy best. Some of my recommendations are the aforementioned Ayinger Celebrator Doppelbock and Schneider Aventinus Weizen-Eisbock. Want to try something made locally? Check out Moon Under Water’s The Victorious Weizenbock and Vancouver Island Brewery’s Hermannator Ice Bock. – C.T.
Loncium’s logo looks similar to Firestone Walker’s, both featuring a lion and a bear.
Legacy's Holiday Beer ADVENTure 