Franconia Fall Bock and the Reinheitsgebot

November 9, 6:48 PMDallas Craft Beer ExaminerPaul Hightower

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Image: Franconia

Franconia Brewing in McKinney is a rather quiet operation. They continue to turn out their beers without much fuss, fanfare or media attention.

What they have turned out in the year and a half Dennis Wehrmann and his staff have been brewing have been close to a dozen different products, all traditional German styles and all strict adherents to the Reinheitsgebot.

For those who may not be familiar with that term, the Reinheitsgebot is an historical German “purity law” dating from 1516. It dictated that beer should be brewed with nothing more than barley, hops and water. (Yeast was unknown to brewers at the time but later added, as was a provision for wheat).

The Reinheitsgebot had less to do with actual “purity” and more to do with taxation and consumer protection, as medieval brewers were likely to use all sorts of nasty ingredients to cut corners—not all of which were foodstuffs. Although the legal portion has long since been retired by E.U. requirements, many brewers still adhere to it as a mark of brewing pride.

True to form, Franconia is releasing their latest beer, the Fall Bock, otherwise without much attention. This is a slightly stronger beer than most of their products, and at around 7% ABV it is probably better described as a doppelbock (“double bock”). It is rather dark with a light roasted flavor, heavily malted and caramelized, with hints of dark fruits or even chocolate-covered cherries if you get a fresh sample.

Availability: Should be appearing on tap shortly all around the Dallas/Fort Worth area. Wehrmann has no plans to bottle at present.

Other beers from Franconia: Bock, Koelsch, Lager

Cheers!
paul@scientist.com