Back to the Bock

Credit where credit is due. Thanks to Vinmonopolet for their efforts to revive old lager styles.

We have splendid access to NEIPA in all its incarnations here in Norway. We also have a very fine range of classic Belgian beers, including trappists and lambics.

The best sellers in Vinmonopolet are mostly stronger versions of the pilsners totally dominating the market, with some German wheat beers that also have respectable volumes.

The traditional Norwegian strong beer, the Bock, had a comfortable niche in the market before strong beer was transefered to Vinmonopolet about forty years ago. The legislators had some hope to kill off strong beer altogether, and they almost succeeded. We were saved by European legislation, opening for imports of more interesting beer.

Vinmonopolet runs a series of tenders for various product groups be it orange wine or miro destilled gin.  So also for beer, and this has currently resulted in a nice bunch of bocks. There are various interpretations of the style,

This beer style has not been totally gone. A few of the traditional lager breweries keep their beers in production. Ayinger Celebrator is readily available. And every year there are Christmas beers brewed true to style. On occasion, there is even some barrel aged stuff.

Now it is up to the drinkers. If we want to have this style regularly available, we need to buy it. Repeatedly. These beers may not taste like Black Forest Gateau – but you could actually serve it with your favorite cake or dessert instead.