• Samuel Adams Double Bock

Boston Beer Co., Boston

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BEER PICK BOB TOWNSEND Bob Townsend is editor of Southern Brew News, a bimonthly beer publication distributed throughout the Southeast. Related: • More on food and drink New brews for fall and Oktoberfest  Budweiser American Ale  Craft brewers a perfect fit in Slow Food Nation event  Sweetwater Motor Boat Ale  Weyerbacher Brewing on track, after a struggle

• $6.99 / six-pack at metro beverage stores.

• Profile: There aren't many commercial examples of Bavarian double bock-style lagers brewed in the United States. This one from Sam Adams is big (8.8 percent alcohol by volume), rich with malt aroma and flavor, and only available as a late winter-early spring seasonal — so look for it now, before it's gone. It has a dark, ruby-brown color under sticky, tan foam; a toffeeish aroma, with hints of spice; and a silky-rich, full-bodied sweetness up front, followed by a balancing hop bitterness and a sudden flash of alcohol in the finish.

• Pair with: Pork is the traditional pairing for double bocks. You can easily go hog wild with this one from Sam Adams, pairing its smooth maltiness with everything from roasted pork, braised pork belly and grilled pork chops to andouille sausage, pasta with wild boar ragu and tacos al pastor.