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Grolsch Winterbok

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Honey and speculaas aromas lead this copper-coloured winter bock, spicy in taste. Grolsch has brewed the Winterbok since 2016 at 7.5%, with honey (1.5%) and natural aroma in the recipe; cinnamon, ginger, clove, cardamom, vanilla and citrus are named among the aroma sources in the ingredients. It is made for the cold winter months.

ABV
7.5%
Bitterness
Lightly bitter
Citrus hop bitterness
SRM
deep amber15
PaceSipper
Where this beer sits
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
Balance
malt-forwardhop-forward
What makes this beer itself
honeyspicyvanilla
honey
spicy
vanilla
clove
citrusy
caramel
Aroma
The nose leads with pronounced honey notes alongside warming spice impressions of cinnamon, clove, and cardamom.
also:malty
not found:hoppy,roasted,fruity,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Grolsch Winterbok

◎ Appearance

Grolsch Winterbok presents a copper-amber hue with good clarity and moderate carbonation. The foam structure is stable with firm adhesion to the glass walls, typical of a well-crafted Bock. A dense, cream-coloured head persists throughout the tasting.

copper-amberstable headclear to bright

◌ Aroma

The nose leads with pronounced honey notes alongside warming spice impressions of cinnamon, clove, and cardamom. Subtle vanilla and citrus undertones emerge alongside a malty backbone, creating an inviting bouquet that reflects the beer's winter-oriented composition.

honey-forwardwarm spicevanilla, citrus backdrop

◐ Taste

The palate opens with honeyed sweetness and malt character, followed by a layered spice profile of clove, ginger, and cardamom that builds through the mid-palate. The 7.5% ABV provides gentle warmth without harshness, while residual sweetness and a touch of caramel create a smooth, full-bodied mouthfeel. Bitterness remains restrained at 25 IBU, allowing the spice and honey to dominate.

honey, malt-drivenwarming spice blendsmooth bodyrestrained bitterness

◑ Finish

The finish is medium-length with lingering honey and gentle spice notes fading into a soft, slightly boozy warmth. The aftertaste carries traces of vanilla and clove without becoming cloying.

medium lengthspice persistence
78
hopIQ score
Aroma
80
Taste
78
Appearance
78
Finish
75
Serve at 9–12°C

Serve at 9–12°C for the best flavour balance and aroma expression.

Pint glass

The classic — versatile, comfortable to hold and keeps the beer cool. No frills, no distractions: just the beer.

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Food Pairing

What to eat with Grolsch Winterbok

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About Bock

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a Bock?

Bocks are strong German lagers with 6.5–7.5% ABV. Rich malt sweetness — toast, chocolate, caramel — with low bitterness and a warming finish.

Finding a similar Bock

hopIQ matches by flavor profile — not just style label. A beer with the same honey, spicy, vanilla character as Grolsch Winterbok will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

Compare with another beer →Explore all Bock beers in hopIQ →Browse Netherlands beers →