Doppelbock

98 Celebrator Doppelbock, Privatbrauerei Aying (Germany). 6.7% ABV (10/07)

Deep mahogany brown with a ruby cast. Vibrant aromas of baker’s chocolate, fruit nut caramel fudge, light molasses and cigar box spice jump from the glass and follow through to a rich, velvety full body with a lingering nutty, spice and earth fade. Wonderfully rich and contemplative. Truly world-class.

98 Blonde Doppelbock, Capital Brewery (WI). 7.8% ABV (2/07)

Deep reddish amber color. Dense aromas of fruity caramel, spicy honey and golden raisin bread. A rich, powerful, yet effortless entry leads to a satiny medium-full body of enveloping layers of caramel, toasted grains and breads, marmalade and delicate spices. Finishes with an extremely long raw honey, dried apricot and mild, earthy hop flourish. Remarkably flavorful and insanely drinkable.

94 Samuel Adams Double Bock, The Boston Beer Co. (MA). 8.7% ABV (10/08)

Brilliant deep copper red color with a foamy head. Raisin purée, chocolate croissant and orange soufflé aromas follow through on a rich, chewy entry to a broad, dry-yet-fruity full body with brown sugar, baked apple and toffee notes. Finishes with a long, butter molasses and warming pepper fade with hints of sautéed parsnip and fennel.

94 Merry Monks Doppelbock, Granville Island Brewing Co. (Canada). 8.7% ABV (2/07)

Deep reddish mahogany color. Sweet baked raisin nut compote, molasses and malt vinegar aromas. A big, round entry leads to a very tangy medium-full body of roasted grains and nuts, dark raisins and pumpernickel toast flavors. Finishes with a long baker’s chocolate, marmalade and nut fade. Delicious, rich and thirst quenching.

93 Salvator Doppelbock, Paulaner Brauerei (Germany). 7.9% ABV (10/08)

Dark amber color. Aromas of honey and caramel drizzled nut, spicy carrot cake and putty follow through on a rich, frothy entry to a dry-yet-fruity medium-full body with lush raisin, date and melted toffee notes. Finishes with a rich, lingering and zesty caramelized citrus, pumpernickel nut toast and earthy fade. A rich, powerful brew to savor.

93 La Rossa, Birra Moretti (Italy). 7.2% ABV (10/08)

Deep amber color. Interesting aromas of eucalyptus honey, buckwheat pancake and brown sugar follow through on a rich, frothy entry to an off-dry medium-to-full body to with layers of chocolate-covered raisins and nuts and a crisp, honeyed rye toast and peppery spice fade. A nicely styled food beer to pair with hearty dishes.

93 Autumnal Fire, Capital Brewery (WI). 7.82% ABV (11/06)

Deep copper brown color. Spicy apple pie, caramel and cocoa aromas. A rich, thick entry leads to a dry-yet-fruity full body of tangy orange marmalade, brown sugar and warm buttered caramel flavors. Finishes with a long, tangy chocolate-covered orange peel, brown sugar and spicy hop fade. Deliciously sumptuous.

91 Spaten Optimator, Spaten-Franziskaner Brau (Germany). 7.2% ABV (11/06)

Dark brown color. Nutty, dark chocolate-covered cherry aromas follow through to a frothy, dryish medium-full body of tangy tangerine and dried peach, honey and brown sugar flavors. Finishes with a tangy chocolate, orange peel and vibrant spicy and earthy hop fade. Nicely expression of hops through the sweet malt.

89 Dopplebock, Sprecher Brewing Co. (WI). 7.9% ABV (11/06)

Dark reddish mahogany color. Roasted nut, bittersweet chocolate and melted brown sugar aromas follow through to a rich, dryish medium-full body of dark chocolate, tangy dried stone and citrus fruit, roasted nut and grain and light molasses flavors. Finishes with a tart baker’s chocolate, sweet citrus and honey fade. Tasty.

88 Conquistador Doppelbock, Karl Strauss Brewing Co. (CA). 7.8% ABV (11/07)

Dark reddish copper color. Orange honey, malt-o-meal, brown sugar and nut aromas. A chewy, mousse-like entry leads to a dry-yet-fruity full body of caramel apples, salted nuts, barley soup cocoa and delicate spice flavors. Finishes with a long, tangy brown sugar, buttered nut and mineral fade.

88 21 Doppelbock, Full Sail Brewing Co. (OR). 8% ABV (10/08)

Reddish mahogany color. Roasted grain, lemon rind and pumpernickel aromas follow through on a round, chewy entry to a tangy, dryish medium-full body with fresh meringue, pepper, grapefruit and toffee notes. Finishes with rich, chocolate-covered citrus and green peppercorn fade.

87 Hound Dog Bock, Govnor’s Public House (IL). 7.95% ABV (10/07) %{Brewpub}

Dark chestnut color with a frothy tan head. Treacle, mud, star anise and caramel pudding aromas. A supple, frothy entry leads to a tangy medium-full body of red apple skins, raisins, dark roasted nuts and a touch of earthy bark. Finishes with a long charred nut and tangy dried fruit fade. A curious, yet food friendly bock interpretation—serve with funky cheeses.

87 Dopplebock, Privat Brauerei Bischoff (Germany). 7.5% ABV (11/06)

Dark brown color. Creamy spice, nut, rye and mincemeat pie aromas. Chewy sweet malt with a slightly soapy edge display molasses and mineral flavors. Long smoky finish.

86 Quackinator Doppelbock, Dodging Duck Brewhaus (TX). (10/06) %{Brewpub}

Mahogany with a taupe head. Mild dark toast, citrus and nut aromas. A round entry leads to a dryish medium-bodied palate with tangy chocolate-covered fruit and toffee flavors. Finishes with a milk chocolate and mild earthy hop fade.

84 Red Cock Doppel Bock, Maui Brewing Co. (HI). 8% ABV (10/08)

Mocha candy, teriyaki sauce and grapefruit custard aromas follow trough on a creamy entry to a dryish medium-to-full body with caramelized hazelnut and leather accents. Finishes with a somewhat thin soy, marmalade and pepper fade. Curious.