Henry’s Farm Double Bock

Henry’s Farm Double Bock
22 oz Bomber, $4.99++, 7.8% ABV

Purchased at Maximum Beverage, West Hartford

2rBOckIf anything, Connecticut breweries are really putting some time and effort into the naming of their beers. While Two Roads has one (at this time) punny name (Ol’Factory Pils), I think they do a much better job sticking to place and historical references. (Igor’s Dream, Honeyspot Road.)

Henry’s Farm references both place and history – something CTMQ really relishes. Throw in the warm story of a great-grandfather brewing beer the old-fashioned way on the shores of a far-off Dakota lake and, well, you’ve got your whole marketing plan right there.

The label is great too.

Label? Check. Name? Check. Back story? Check. Beer?

Check?

This one didn’t really work for me. Until recently, I would have written it off on the “fact” that malty bocks just aren’t my thing. And that’s still pretty much true. But I’ve had a “malt bomb” beer recently that I’ve loved. (That would be Relic’s Blackheart if you’re curious.)

Two Roads Says:

Henry’s Farm Double Bock is made in remembrance of partner Brad Hittle’s great-grand father Henry Dethlefsen, who made a bock beer on his White Lake, South Dakota farm every spring for his neighbors to enjoy. It is a classic dark German lager with a robust body and deep ruby color. Lightly balanced with floral hops gives this brew a well-rounded sweetness with notes of caramel, toffee and pumpernickel bread.

But you see, what a story! I’m enamored with that story. I’m not sure his great-grandfather was putting out an 8% beer back in the day, but what do I know?

1430951966_e3f9e84a62I felt the beer lacked body. It lacked malt. It lacked the promised hops. Stragely, I did pick up on the pumpernickel in the background and, well, that just doesn’t work for me.

Let’s be clear – I drank the whole bomber and never once thought about quitting. It’s not a bad beer by any stretch; it just didn’t wow me at all.

What DID wow me was the price point of 5 bucks for a bomber. That’s one thing that no one can complain about Two Roads for – as a relatively HUGE brewery with relatively massive capacity, the hope is that they can continue to put out local craft beer at prices that aren’t insane.

I can ignore their $20 initial offering of their limited release Russian Imperial Stout if they continue to do $5 seasonals like this. That’s a fair trade off.

I’m sorry, this was an incredibly boring review. But somehow, I think that’s apropos.

Overall Rating: C+
Rating vs. Similar style: C-

Beer Advocate’s Reviews of Henry’s Farm Double Bock
Two Roads Brewing Company
Back to CTMQ’s Reviews of Two Roads beers
Back to CTMQ’s Connecticut Beer Page
Back to CT Breweries page

Leave a Comment

The Out Campaign: Scarlet Letter of Atheism