Ask the Pros: Brewing Heller Bock the Mönchsambacher Way

German lager has a reputation for being a little on the rote and plain side—easygoing beers made for pouring into a liter maß and downed without too much thought.

That stereotype has a kernel of truth to it—great German lagers do go down easily—but the whole story, like the beers themselves, is far more complex. It’s a complicated task to make something simple and make it well, and few beer styles exemplify that phenomenon better than the pale bock (or heller bock).

This is a relatively strong lager (typically 6 to 7.5 percent ABV) with a clean yet complex and flavorful malt backbone, often featuring more hop character than you’d expect. It’s also a fantastic and crowd-pleasing addition to your brewing repertoire.