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Now that I've got 2 lbs of Spalt to go through Im in the planning stages of some bocks. I don't have a lot of experience drinking this style but I like the idea of malty beers with low esters and high ABV. Plus I have some cool names picked out. Going to make a Maibock called Empire Strikes Bock and a big dopplebock called Chewbocka. Anybody have some recipes they've tried?

I've tried 100% munch malt, and it was too malty for me. I will try 50/50 Munich, pils next.

Yeah, I've done 100% munich too, and it don't attenuate as much as I would have liked. I think last time it was munich and pils, with maybe a it of carafa for colour. Some melanoiden malt wouldn't hurt either. What kind of mash are you doing?

Just a single infusion mash. Had in mind pils, Munich, Vienna and a small amount of melanoidan for the maibock and basically the same for the dopple except a higher % of Munich and 1% chocolate.

I'm curious to know if anyone has any non-decoction bock experience and how it would compare. Substitute some of the base for some Melanoidin, I guess?

evanisnor wrote:I'm curious to know if anyone has any non-decoction bock experience and how it would compare. Substitute some of the base for some Melanoidin, I guess?

I'm also wondering this. The traditional bock recipe from BCS uses melanoiden and a single infusion mash. On the flip side, Gordon Strong says you can replicate the flavour this way, but it won't give you the same body. Might not attenuate as much as you want.

There are big debates of whether drinkers can actually taste the difference decoction makes. I've listened to podcasts where people have organized quite elaborate side by side tastings, and the verdict was that most couldn't taste the difference. But on the other hand there are some very respectable beer connoisseurs that will swear it makes a difference. I know the theory behind the difference it's supposed to make, but whether or not it makes a difference to the average drinker remains to be debated. I guess I'll have to do a side by side to satisfy my curiosity.