A Beer to Make you Less ‘Hangry’

Matt Levy from Peekskill Brewery is making a beer style that other breweries have forgotten about.

In a world where the IPA reigns supreme, many small breweries need to keep brewing those crowd-pleasing styles that are full of hops to keep their customers coming back. Levy, however, believes that his take on the traditional bock beer is worth a spot behind the bar at Peekskill Brewery.

The bock beer is a traditional lager that takes longer than most ales to brew. Because it's made with lager yeast, it must sit in cold storage for at least a month longer than other beers before it's ready to serve. This, says Levy, may be one of the reasons why many small brewers don't make them.

If you're looking for hops, a bock beer really isn't for you either. This beer was originally brewed by German monks, as a way to sustain them through the weeks of Lent. It's very malty and full of sweetness. The monks' goal was to make a liquid bread that would keep them strong as they fasted in the Spring.

The strong malty profile is actually a compliment to the cold, winter months and the comfort foods that are served during this time. That's why Levy has decided to brew it a little early this year. "Hangry Bock" is a modern twist on an old style that was brewed to keep the holiest of people from getting "hangry," otherwise known as that unholy combination of hungry and angry.

If you'd like to try out "Hangry Bock" for yourself, you can stop by the Peekskill Brewery. Directions and hours of operation are listed on their website.