I don’t recall for sure, but Kulmbacher Eisbock may well be the first true Eisbock I’ve had. Like the Pils, this came in my February Beer of the Month selection (via Shelton Brothers).

It’s a very respectable 9.2% alcohol by volume, and I must say I really quite liked it—I suppose when you think of "ice beer" (at least in the U.S.?) beers such as "Natural Ice" or "Molson Ice" come to mind, which naturally tend to create doubt.

Appearance: Dark reddish-brown with a tan fizzy head. Ruby red at the edges when held to the light.

Smell: Sweet with a sugary syrup note and an alcohol tang. A little dark dried fruit—black currant, maybe prunes.

Taste: Rich and sweet and fruity like a fruitcake… ginger, too, a hint of spice. Strong—alcohol is there, a slight bit fusel-y, warm, adding a brandied cherry character. A real sipping kind of beer, full of complex notes and brandy-ish flavors.

Mouthfeel: Rich and chewy body with a heady strong finish… sweet but finishes out a bit dry due to the alcohol.

Overall: This is a pleasant surprise, very tasty and enjoyable. I’d love to drink many more of these.

On BeerAdvocate, it scores a grade of A-. On RateBeer, it scores 3.87 out of 5 and is in their 97th percentile.