Malt aroma & flavor
The malt flavor profile should display a balance of sweetness and toasted or nutty malt, but not caramel. Traditional Bocks are made with all malt and display high malt sweetness.
European Origin Lager Styles
Traditional German-Style Bock
Lager · Dark brown to very dark
What to expect
The malt flavor profile should display a balance of sweetness and toasted or nutty malt, but not caramel.
Reading guide · The complete guideline attributes below preserve the source’s qualifications.Color · SRM
20–30
Pale / strawBlack
Dark brown to very dark · Illustrative colors on the shared, uneven SRM scale.
Explore styles overlapping this color rangeAlcohol · ABV
6.3–7.6%
Reference scale, not a limit on official guideline values.
Bitterness · IBU
20–30
Measured bitterness; perceived bitterness is described in the guideline below.
Brewers Association 2026 · Printed guideline page 39 · PDF page 48. Color graphics are illustrative.
The guideline, in detail
Official style attributes, including what may be present and what should be absent.
Hop aroma & flavor
Very low
Perceived bitterness
Medium, increasing proportionately with starting gravity.
Body & mouthfeel
Medium to full
Clarity
Appearance should be clear. Chill haze should not be present
Color
Dark brown to very dark
Fermentation characteristics
Fruity esters if present should be minimal. Diacetyl should not be present.
Technical specifications, including gravity
Original Gravity (°Plato) 1.066-1.074 (16.1-18 °Plato) • Apparent Extract/Final Gravity (°Plato) 1.018- 1.024 (4.6-6.1 °Plato) • Alcohol by Weight (Volume) 5.0%-6.0% (6.3%-7.6%) • Hop Bitterness (IBU) 20-30 • Color SRM (EBC) 20-30 (40-60 EBC)