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BJCP 2021 / 4C

Helles Bock

A strong pale lager with deep malt and enough hop to stay balanced.

  • Any age
  • high strength
  • pale color
  • bottom fermented
  • lagered

Serve: 44 to 48F, Tulip or stange

OG1.120
1.064 to 1.072
FG1.030
1.011 to 1.018
IBU120
23 to 35
SRM40
6 to 9
ABV14%
6.3 to 7.4%

Taste it in order

Aroma

12 pts
  • Big bready malt and toasted grain
  • Light floral or spicy hop
  • A trace of alcohol is fine
Vague
Malty
Better
Toasty malt with a hint of spice
Best
Moderate-high toasted bread and honey malt aroma, low spicy hop, a hint of warming alcohol

Appearance

3 pts
  • Deep gold to light amber
  • Brilliantly clear
  • Creamy white head
Vague
Gold
Better
Deep gold, clear
Best
Deep gold to light amber, brilliant, creamy white head that fades slowly

Flavor

20 pts
  • Rich toasted bread and honey malt
  • Bitterness holds it up and keeps the finish from cloying
  • Warm, smooth finish
Vague
Rich
Better
Toasty bread and honey with some hop
Best
Moderate-high toasted bread and honey malt, low to moderate spicy hop, firm bitterness, smooth finish with light warmth

Mouthfeel

5 pts
  • Medium to medium-full body
  • Medium carbonation
  • Smooth, gently warming
Vague
Warm
Better
Medium-full body, warming
Best
Medium to medium-full body, smooth, mild warmth, medium carbonation

Overall Impression

10 pts

Lifts it

  • Balanced richness
  • Clean strength

Drops it

  • Hot alcohol
  • Syrupy sweetness

Writing tip

Check balance first. Example: 'Rich toasty malt, firm bitterness, light warmth. Clean and well balanced for the strength.'

Pour these

  • MaibockAyingerRich malt with a gentle hop finish
  • MaibockHofbräu MünchenHoneyed and warming
  • Mai-Ur-BockEinbeckerFirm bitterness and bready malt

Often confused with

Fine here

  • Alcoholic: A light warming note fits a strong lager
  • DMS: A trace is tolerated

Ruinous here

  • Solvent: Hot, fusel-like alcohol
  • Diacetyl: Butter in a rich beer
  • Oxidized: Sherry and cardboard

Style names, numbers and vital statistics follow the BJCP 2021 beer guidelines. Descriptions and example choices are our own. Check a beer is still made before you hunt for it.