Escape Routes and Bocks

The mercury crested over 40 today, making this afternoon feel like a downright heatwave.  After enduring what seems like weeks of never ending snow and freezing temperatures, this short interlude, while fleeting, feels great. I  wish it really was an exit from winter.
 
Samuel Adams is teasing me the same way as our weather, with their aptly named spring seasonal: Escape Route.  

 
Winter is big malty beer time, so it was refreshing to try something at the other end of the scale. Escape Route is a kölsch style beer.  It ferments like an ale but is then cold conditioned like a lager.
 
It was clean and sweet, with a little depth added from the hops.  Quite enjoyable.
 
Of course while Escape Route swayed me towards the lagers and hefeweizens of spring, Double Bock shifted me back where I feel comfortable most: the land of big beers.

 
Brewed with almost as much malt per bottle as a loaf of bread, Double Bock is one of my favorites.
 
With an ABV just under 10%, Double Bock is sweet, but not overly so.  It’s full on malt taste hits me with raisins, brown sugar, a rather full mouthfeel, and a hint of hops on the finish.  Great stuff.
 
Both beers scream spring.  I just wish the warm weather had arrived before I finished my glass.

Note: Both beers were provided to me by my friends at Samuel Adams.  They are currently available nationwide.