Tasting notes - Art Brew's Bristol Bock

Sorry: rinsed the bottle before shooting

Brewed for Bristol Beer Week, this was my first, much-anticipated taste of the small Dorset brewery's product.

There wasn't a lot to the nose, but what I did faintly pick up struck me -- oddly, I'll be the first to admit -- of bubblegum (à la Hubba Bubba). About a third of the way in, this had faded completely, replaced by a slight maltiness.

At 7.0% ABV, the lovely, silky mouthfeel was hardly surprising; the same goes for the pleasing warmth that began a few mouthfuls in. The aftertaste was superb, continuing far longer than I'd expected, progressing from predominantly malty to the mellow tang of raisins.