The Lion Brewery - Stegmaier Brewhouse Bock

A traditional style bock beer, the Stegmaier Brewhouse Bock pours an attractive crystal clear dark reddish copper color. Carbonation is low to moderate, so we recommend an aggressive pour to build a sufficient head and unlock the traditional bock aromas. Look for an inviting toasty maltiness on the nose with bready, biscuit-like notes and only a hint of hops. Flavor-wise, this beer is all about the malt, which is just what we expect from a well-made bock. The hops present themselves just enough to balance the malty sweetness, particularly towards the finish, but are restrained in both bitterness and aroma, allowing the toasty malt character to take center stage. Look for caramel and toffee notes on the palate, with a delightful mild finish. We found this medium-bodied bock to be ultra smooth, no doubt owing to the extended lagering time Stegmaier offers it, and it’s super easy to finish one bottle and find yourself picking up yet another one. The malty sweetness makes a good foil for spicy fare like Thai food, or more traditionally, a nice spicy bockwurst.

Tom Pastorius, a Pittsburgh native of German descent, discovered real beer while stationed in Germany, a country that considers its "bier" as much a staple as bread. Once his service days ended, Tom returned to the States. He began longing for good German beer. "Beer tastes better over there," he said. "I just missed the beer…" Interestingly, Tom’s great-great-great-great-great-great-great grandfather, Franz Daniel Pastorius, a friend of William Penn, led the first group of German settlers to America in 1683 and founded Germantown, Pennsylvania. The two dined frequently together, partaking in Penn’s brewery offerings from Pensbury Manor. Ten generations later, the Pastorius family still enjoys fine Pennsylvania-brewed beer. Dissatisfied with commercially available beverage choices, and in need of a job, Tom decided to start his own brewery. In 1986, he purchased a nearly 150-year-old abandoned brick and stone brewery for $225,000. A three-year, labor-intensive $4 million restoration followed, and thus, the Pennsylvania Brewing Company was born. Talk about going to great lengths to get great beer! Tom's goal to brew authentic German beers quickly became a reality, and these days he is considered a pioneer in the microbrewery renaissance. For more information about the brewery and scheduled tours, or their attached restaurant, call (412) 237-9400, or visit their website at www.pennbrew.com.