Hey, before I forget...I found the legendary Sam Adams triple bock (kind of like the legendary triple uppercut). Let me say a bit about it since I'm not likely to get another one with it running about $5 for an 8.45 oz bottle. This is a super limited edition 'beer' that challenges the definition of what a beer can be. While my first exposure to double bocks (notably the undefinited Newport storm annual 'special brew'), Sam's Triple Bock is easily the most ridiculous beer I have ever had.

It has absolutely no head and no carbonation and has the thickness and color of engine oil. Poured into a glass, no light passes through whatsoever. I took my halogen flashlight up to the side of the glass and not a hint of light passed through to the other side. Its viscosity is like that of cough syrup (and indeed, the bottle notes that the 'ale' is brewed with maple syrup) and when you tilt the glass you can see the beverage adhere to the side bravely disregarding most of our common beliefs regarding the properties of liquids.

The triple bock's smell is richly aromatic and extremely sweet. Giving it an initial taste, one finds the blackish-red liquid sticking to all surfaces of their mouth and throat. It is quite sweet though there are emerging taste of malt.

The alcohol content is very high--you will detect it on your first gulp. Well, let's be blunt. The whole bottle consumed at once will knock you on your ass. You're best splitting it with a friend or re-corking it (yes, it comes with a cork!) I have no clue whether to call this a beer or not. It isn't like anything I've had before, but I think it would do fine on pancakes. It is hard to recommend it as more than a novelty, but Sam Adams completists might want to hunt it down.

Thanks for the report! If you would like me to steal your e-mail and post it on my site, drop me a line at [email protected]. If you're done here head on back to either the Beer or Main page.