Kulmbacher Eisbock

Eisbock is German for "ice bock". OK, actually, it's German for "ice goat", but that makes slightly less sense for the purposes of this conversation. (For a brief history of the bock, go here.)

OK, now that you have some idea of what a bock is, an eisbock is an especially strong doppelbock (that's "double goat"...oh, never mind), weighing in at a hefty 9.2% ABV. Kulmbacher claims to be the originator of the style, dating back to a cask of bock accidentally left out in the winter cold. As ethanol has a lower freezing point than water, freezing concentrated the beer to a rich, potent brew.

The result is a dark mahogany color and an assertive alcohol presence. A faint candy-sugar presence permeates the aroma. The finish is dry but surprisingly mellow. Maybe not a beer for everyone, but for a beer lover, this is a real feast for the senses I'd put up there with a good trapist ale.

That, and it'll kick you in the head. This is my current favorite beer for a nightcap. I sleep like a baby after one of these.