Aass Bock 6Pk

Aass Bock 6Pk is a 6.5% ABV Norwegian bock beer from Aass Brewery in Drammen, sold in a six-pack of bottles. Widely regarded as one of the finest bock beers brewed outside Germany, this expression earned an 89/100 on BeerAdvocate and stands apart through an uncommonly long lagering period of five to six months — two to three times what most lagers receive.

Quick Facts: ABV: 6.5%  |  Origin: Drammen, Norway  |  Style: Bock  |  Brewery: Aass Brewery (est. 1834)

Production & Heritage

Aass Brewery, founded in 1834, holds the distinction of being Norway's oldest brewery and remains family-owned in the riverside city of Drammen. Aass Bock is brewed strictly according to the German Purity Law (Reinheitsgebot) using a double-decoction mashing process, a traditional and labor-intensive technique that extracts deeper malt complexity and color from the grain. The beer is then lagered for a remarkable five to six months, a commitment to patience that few modern breweries match and one that gives this bock its exceptionally smooth, rounded character.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: A rich malty nose greets you immediately, layered with roasted grain and dark fruit. Underneath, subtle hints of toasted bread and light caramel round out the bouquet.

Taste: The entry is thick and creamy, flooding the palate with intense, slightly nutty sweet malt. Mid-palate, flavors of chocolate, coffee, and subtle molasses emerge, balanced by a restrained but effective bitterness that prevents the sweetness from becoming cloying. The mouthfeel is luxuriously full-bodied, a direct result of the double-decoction process.

Finish: The finish is decidedly sweet with virtually no hop presence, lingering with gentle malt warmth and a quiet whisper of alcohol heat. It fades slowly and cleanly, inviting the next sip without urgency.

How to Drink Aass Bock

Pour into a tulip glass or traditional bock glass at around 45–50°F to let the malt complexity fully express itself. This is a beer designed for slow, contemplative drinking rather than rapid consumption. For cocktail-curious drinkers: try it in a Bock Shandy with fresh lemon juice for a lighter warm-weather serve; use it in a Beer Float with vanilla ice cream, where the chocolate and coffee notes create a dessert-like experience; or mix it into a Black Velvet variation with sparkling wine, where the bock's malt richness adds depth that lighter lagers cannot.

Best For

• Cold-weather evening sessions when you want something substantial and warming
• Introducing craft beer drinkers to traditional European bock styles
• Pairing with hearty winter meals like stews, roasts, or smoked meats
• Gifting to beer enthusiasts who appreciate old-world brewing traditions

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Aass Bock taste like? Aass Bock delivers a thick, creamy mouthfeel dominated by intense sweet malt, with prominent notes of chocolate, coffee, subtle molasses, and a nutty quality. The finish is sweet and warming with minimal hop bitterness.

How does Aass Bock compare to Shiner Bock? Shiner Bock is brewed more in the tradition of an American lager and is lighter in body and malt intensity, while Aass Bock follows the German Reinheitsgebot with double-decoction and extended lagering, producing a significantly richer and more complex beer. At 6.5% ABV versus Shiner's 4.4%, Aass Bock is also a fuller-strength example of the bock style.

Is Aass Bock good for sipping neat? Absolutely — this is a sipping beer by design, with its extended lagering and thick malt complexity rewarding slow, attentive drinking from a proper glass at cellar temperature.

Where is Aass Bock made? Aass Bock is brewed at Aass Brewery in Drammen, Norway, about 40 kilometers southwest of Oslo. Founded in 1834, Aass is Norway's oldest brewery and remains independently family-owned.

What foods pair well with Aass Bock? Roasted pork or braised beef shanks complement the beer's malty sweetness. Aged Gouda or Gruyère echo its nutty character. Chocolate torte or tiramisu align with the coffee and cocoa notes. Smoked sausages play off the toasted grain flavors, and hearty bread pudding mirrors its caramel undertones.

What sizes does Aass Bock come in? Aass Bock is commonly available in a six-pack format of individual bottles, making it accessible for both sampling and stocking up.

Is Aass Bock worth the price? Aass Bock positions as a premium import bock, and its double-decoction process and five-to-six-month lagering period reflect a level of production investment rarely seen at its price tier. With an 89/100 BeerAdvocate score, it delivers strong value for a traditionally brewed European bock.

Why Aass Bock?

What separates Aass Bock from the crowded field of bock beers is the sheer time invested in its creation. A five-to-six-month lagering period is nearly unheard of in modern commercial brewing and gives this beer a smoothness and depth that shortcuts simply cannot replicate. The double-decoction mash — a process many breweries have abandoned in favor of efficiency — builds the layered malt complexity that earned it recognition as one of the best bocks brewed outside Germany. Coming from Norway's oldest brewery, still family-owned after nearly two centuries, Aass Bock carries genuine heritage in every pour.