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Buyer's Guide for Beer Lovers

British and North American Ales

The Lords of the Ales: A Powerful Onslaught of Ales from the Two Towers of North America and Great Britain

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

94 Salvator Doppelbock, Paulaner Brauerei (Germany). 7.9% ABV (3/11)
Hazy deep amber color. Aromas and flavors of honeyed buttered gingerbread, grainy barley porridge and peach marmalade with vibrant, satiny dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body and a warm spiced cocoa, caramelized roasted carrot and peppery radish sprout finish. Nicely styled and marvelously balanced for sipping or food.

93 Samuel Adams Double Bock, The Boston Beer Co. (MA). 9.5% ABV (3/11)
Rich copper color with a lacy head. Dense aromas and flavors of toasted date bread, roasted parsnip, toffee, light licorice and molasses with a chewy, fruity-yet-dry medium-full body and a warming, honeycomb, grilled peach and citrus-accented finish with peppery, leafy, mesclun-like hops. Lots of richness and complexity in fine balance. Serve with andouille sausages.

92 Schell’s Snow Storm Dunkel Doppel Weizenbock, August Schell Brewing Co. (MN). 7.5% ABV (3/11)
Deep lightly hazy copper chestnut color. Attractive aromas of spicy banana cake, barky maple sap, baked bean and pumpernickel bread pudding with a supple, frothy fruity-yet-dry medium-full body and a long, crisp dried tropical fruit, honey roasted nut and mineral driven finish with elegant lettuce-like hops. A delicious and beautifully poised beer for sipping or the table.

92 Verloene Hosen Uber-Märzen, Grizzly Peak Brewing Co. (MI). 8.6% ABV (3/11)
Deep copper chestnut color. Rich aromas and flavors of fruity citrus marmalade, pinecone, honey butter and glazed panettone with a thick, chewy, dry-yet-fruity full body and a crisp, lingering roasted turnip, peppercorn, mustard seed and arugula-watercress-like hop accented finish. A big, ballsy doppelbock to brandish with bison burgers.

92 Das Wolf Doppelbock, Bastone Brewery (MI). 7.5% ABV (3/11)
Deep russet mahogany color. Dense aromas of burnt sugar, buttery cornbread muffin and oily dark roasted nuts and root vegetables with a supple fruity-yet-dry medium-full body and a warm raisin-sour cherry compote, cookie dough, sautéed pepper-accented finish with crisp grassy hops in support. Delicious and dangerously drinkable.

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