Arches Brewing Mystik Bock

Heady bud nose, bright, with a slight tinge of lime. Flavor is like hop juice, a fistfight between tropical fruit and bitterness; skunky, gassy, with light licorice and a slight burn. A bit muddy. Super creative, even for an inherently creative style.

**Aroma:** “A rich bread-crust malt aroma hits initially with some pleasant yeast esters of pear, plum, dark raisin, and overripe apple. An almost chocolate-like sweetness develops as it warms.” **Flavor:** “Moderate nutty malt, a touch of plum, raisin, light date, with some light sherry oxidation. Finishes dry despite the massive malt aroma with a hint of toasty caramel. The depth and richness of the malt are hard to overstate and range from light biscuit to medium caramel to rich toast. Moderate sweetness is enhanced by the wonderful, yet restrained yeast esters.” **Overall:** “This is a good, dry, easy-drinking ale for the warmer months. Very expressive and refined malt-forward beer. Dark fruit—dried fig or date—adds a savory note. An excellent example of the style that layers a seemingly endless malt complexity with a wonderful yeast profile.”

Confectionery chocolate, ashy roast, burnt-bread aroma; cherry and pear esters. Burnt-roast flavor, assertive esters; evident alcohols cut through, but not overly hot. Sticky aftertaste of vodka-soaked cherries. Sweet finish doesn’t hinder drinkability.