I picked up a New Glarus Back 40 Bock in a trade a little while back. New Glarus Brewing Co. is located in Wisconsin.

The bottle has a simple tan label with all the text and art in a single, dark grey color. On the side is a little paragraph that explains “The ‘Back Forty’ is property commonly found on the outskirts of the Wisconsin family farm. Here uncultivated acres wait prime for adventure- forts, tree houses, rope swings and first kisses! A place to run away, to camp, to climb, to build, to play. Not actually home but not too far away. That’s the Back Forty. The beer you hold is similar both dark and adventurous still smooth and familiar. Here’s a beer you can enjoy without pretense or explanation. Every mind requires some acres of possibility, space for dreams, the great escape, everyone needs a Back Forty.”

The style, as indicated in the name is a Bock and according to UnTappd, the ABV is 5.5%.

The beer poured with a medium sized head and had a clear, tarnished copper color, like an older penny. As I drank it, the head left a fair amount of lacing.

It had a mild bready-malt smell and that smell came through in the taste with a slight bit of caramel mixed in. The carbonation was perfect.

Overall, I’d have to say that this beer is well balanced, smooth and easy drinking and would be great for sitting around the pool or watching a game.