Buyer's Guide for Beer Lovers

Lagers

Not Your Grandfather’s Lager

Doppelbock

This is a sub-category of the bock style. Doppelbocks are extra strong, rich and weighty lagers characterized by an intense malty sweetness with a note of hop bitterness to balance the sweetness. Color can vary from full amber to dark brown and alcohol levels are potently high, typically 7-8 percent ABV. Doppelbocks were first brewed by the Paulaner monks in Munich. At the time, it was intended to be consumed as “liquid bread” during Lent. Most Bavarian examples end in the suffix “–ator”, in deference to the first commercial example, which was named Salvator (savior) by the Paulaner brewers.

Interpreting the 100-point Scale

Consumers can translate the point score to the following quality bands:

Point Range Quality Band
96-100 points Platinum
90-95 points Gold
85-90 points Silver
80-84 points Bronze
Less than 80 Not Recommended
Legend
  • = Brewpub
  • ABV = Alcohol by volume
  • Date denotes the date on which the beer was tasted

93 Doppio Malto, Birra Moretti (Italy). 7% ABV (5/10)
Deep old gold color. Rich buttered biscuit, salty roasted corn, and delicate clay-like hop aromas follow through on a silky entry to a dryish medium-to-full body with very good depth and excellent balance. Finishes with long, delicate caramel, honeyed citrus and bread crust accents. A superbly drinkable, flavorful, and balanced blonde doppelbock.

93 Autumnal Fire, Capital Brewery (WI). 7.8% ABV (11/09)
Deep amber copper color. Aromas of melted toffee and apple butter on rye toast follow through on a supple, vibrant entry to a dry-yet-fruity medium-full body with layers on toasted bread, grain, caramel, and dried fruit. Finishes with a long, earthy grassy hop and candied dried citrus peel fade. Excellent.

91 Decelerator Doppelbock, John Harvard’s Brew House, Framingham (MA). 8.5% ABV (3/09)
Nearly opaque dark brown color. Rich aromas of roasted chestnuts, dark brown sugar, and roasted root vegetables follow through on a smooth supple entry to a dry-yet-fruity medium-full body with toffee, dried fruit, and delicate spice notes. Finishes with a long, chewy, white pepper, mineral and apple accented fade. Nice earthiness make it a great choice for stews.

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 Deep Water Doppelbock, Thomas Creek Brewery (SC). 7% ABV (3/10)
Rich roasted coffee and chocolate aromas have a woody whole nut edge and follow through on a crisp entry to a dry medium-full body with good depth and astringency.

87 Baron’s Strong Brew, Asia Pacific Breweries (Singapore). 8.8% ABV (10/10)
Bright golden amber color. Aromas of circus peanut and cream soda with a supple, frothy, sweet medium-to-full body and a chewy white pepper, orange and banana taffy finish.

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.

80 Primator Double Bock, Pivovar Nachod (Czech Republic). 10.5% ABV (11/09)
Root beer color and sweetness with a lot of chocolate cherry bonbon flavor and notes of grainy buttered raisin toast, malt vinegar, and moss hops on the finish. Potentially very good, but far too sweet, cloying and soda like.

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