The calendar might say December (sniff) but I find myself craving bocks and dopplebocks for their sweet and boozy punch. In fact, bocks may very well be the secret to me remaining semi-festive during the holiday season, since it’s not a time of year I’m particularly fond of. In fact, Iceland seems to roll out a bunch of awesome dopplebocks this time of year, including my personal pet favourite, Luðvik Dopplebock #12 by Borg Brugghús. With a craving for something decadent and sweet, I was lured in by the seductive glance of a goat on the packaging of Spring Bock by Barn Door Brewing Company.

Barn Door Brewing Company brews in-house by the same team of beer experts that bring us lovely libations from King Brewery in nearby King City. At $3.95 for a 500 ml bottle, this 6.5% spring bock is a winner to warm you up on a chilly day. We split a bottle between 2 people, and sampled it in a Borg Brugghus balloon glass. Sorry Borg, the glass was too fun to leave behind. It followed me home after a few potent glasses of Ludvig.

Appearance: Rusty brown pour, creamy head. Unfiltered appearance, very opaque in a glass.

Aroma: Malty and sweet aroma, hints of candi sugar.

Taste: Very smooth mouth feel, with a thick and malty flavour. Candi-like flavour, hints of molasses.

Aftertaste: More sweetness on the finish, malty aftertaste with hints of caramel.

Overall: I like bocks as a dessert beer, but this one was particularly sweet. I’d drink it again as a sharing beer. I honestly think the packaging is what got me excited about the beer. Perhaps this beer is the key to my festive mood.

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Shawna O'Flaherty

Shawna is a 30-something Montreal native transplanted to Toronto in 2010. Wine loving, beer sniffing and rum swilling come naturally to her, and she is also a certified Irish whiskey taster. She has hosted beer and cheese pairing events in the past.

Shawna has visited vineyards in 8 countries on 3 continents, and has a knack for finding the hoppiest beers around. A dedicated Booze Hound, Shawna completed the Wine Specialist Certificate at George Brown College in 2018.

She can be found drinking alka-seltzer and coconut water in the morning.

Email: shawna@torontoboozehound.com

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