With any homebrewing challenge, some challenges are tougher than ever. When I pulled the chip that had Eisbock on it, a bit of panic settled in. I knew I would be able to brew a nice bock-style lager, but would I be able to pull off the last step?
In our long history, we haven’t tackled ice distilling.
Well played, Jar. Now we will.
That’s the wonderful thing about this series. We will brew styles we never planned to brew. Let’s see how this one turned out. This video discussed a beer from our 9th pick – BJCP style 9B – Eisbock
German Eisbock Recipe
The guidelines call for a strong beer with strong malty flavor. It is high in alcohol but the overall impression should be smooth.
For a 5 US Gallon batch size
Water:
9 gallons of Spring Water with 4 grams of gypsum and 4 grams of Calcium Chloride
Grains:
62% Weyermann Floor-Malted Bohemian Pilsner Malt
34% Weyermann Dark Munich Malt
5% Weyermann Caramunich III Malt
Hops:
.5 ounces (14 g) of Magnum Hops Pellets 12.3% AA)
.5 ounces (14 g) of Hallertaur Mittelfruh Hop Pellets 2.6% AA
Estimated IBUs: 30
Yeast:
4 Packets of Saflager W-34/70 Lager Yeast
Instructions:
Mashed for 60 minutes at 155° F (68° C)
Boiled for 75 minutes, ensuring original gravity target
Chilled to 50°F (10°C) and fermented for 3 weeks
Racked and conditioned for 1 month at 33° F (0.5° C)
Racked 1.75 gallons into mini keg
Put in freezer for 6 hours. Closed transfer of non-frozen beer into other mini keg.
Outcomes:
Original Gravity: 1.085
Final Gravity: 1.020
ABV: 8.53%
Eisbock ABV: 11.9%
The Tasting Notes For Both Bocks
Since I have some of the first beer, I brought it over for evaluation and comparison.
Original Bock (Before Freezing) Notes:
This beer has strong malt aromas that are reminiscent of wet rye bread. The flavor has a rich, malty flavor profile with a strong melanoidin presence. Mike found a pronounced alcohol taste, with some hop bitterness in the after taste. He describes the overall flavor note as “leather cherry”.
Eisbock (After Freezing) Notes:
The aroma is not as strong as in the original beer. It has a slightly sweeter and smoother taste. The body is higher than the original as expected.
The alcohol content is noticeable but not overpowering. Despite its 12% ABV, it’s surprisingly smooth and easy to drink. I think there is potential for further improvement with aging and smoothing out rough edges.
Thank you, Jar. BREW ON!
Links To The Jar of Destiny Series Results
Check out the British Strong Ale post
Check out the Black IPA post
Check out the International Amber Lager post
Check out the Belgian Tripel post
Check out the Double IPA post
Check out the Kölsch post
Check out the English IPA post
Check out the Wood-Aged Beer post
Check out the Belgian Golden Strong Ale post
Check out the American Amber Ale post
Check out the German Pils post
Check out the Brett Beer post
Check out the Munich Helles post
Check out the Imperial Stout post
Check out the Foreign Extra Stout post
Check out the Belgian IPA post
Check out the Eisbock post