Eisbock: Beer after a thawing

“What ramps are to spring, eisbocks are to winter,” said the editors of TastingTable.com. An eisbock is created by freezing a bock and removing some of the ice that forms when the water and alcohol separate. The result is a “more concentrated, more flavorful” beer with an elevated alcohol level. Legal hurdles effectively prohibit eisbocks from being made in the U.S., but plenty of options from Europe are available. Here are a few of our favorites:

Kulmbacher Reichelbräu Eisbock Germany ($3). With its bouquet of “figs and chocolate,” this amber-tinted brew pairs surprisingly well with desserts.

Schneider Aventinus Weizen-Eisbock Germany ($5) This creamy eisbock tastes of “honey and dried fruits, backed by bananas and cloves.”

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Hofstetten Granitbock Ice Austria ($7.50). A “burgundy-brown” eisbock that has a syrupy texture, intense caramel flavors, and herbal undertones.