Frelser - Mikkeller ApS

richmof

Belgium

4.15/5  rDev +1.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a 75ml bottle. A dark bock lager with a deliciously creamy head. No real lacing but that lovely head stays with you all the way.

Dark fruits and chocolate on the nose.

This is a really well balanced beer. Cardamon, coffee, dark chocolate, with a refreshing (grapefruit?) finish. Really smooth beer.

I couldn't drink too many but not because of the taste.

Serving type: bottle

03-13-2010 09:42:10 | More by richmof

BGDrock

Ontario (Canada)

4.4/5  rDev +7.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Aged a year and a bit

Appearance: fine cappuccino head lasts a few minutes; dark brown with a faint red tinge, like root beer

Aroma: concentrated dark berries - cassis, blackberry, red grape skins - are strong; some toffee, caramel; intense cutting and acidic; lightly of chocolate, and overall very intriguing

Taste & Mouthfeel: sharp and striking at first, hitting hard with astringent and resinuous hops; berry flavours taking a backseat but are still integral, adding to the general sense that this beer feels like a liqueur or brandy - the alcohol is also front and centre, providing a pleasant burn; some bitter chocolate particularly stands out in the finish; midway through, toffee malt becomes more prominent, making this a truly warming beer, perfect for cold winter nights; medium body, proper carbonation

Overall: a fantastic interplay of intense flavours, that somewhat ironically mellows you out (ahem, 11%..); beautiful for sharing around a fireplace

Serving type: bottle

04-28-2013 23:57:24 | More by BGDrock

mintjellie

Ontario (Canada)

4.69/5  rDev +15%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75

Rich mahogany colour with ruby highlights. Pale beige head is massive, tight, lacy, and fairly retentive. Big malty aroma reminiscent of raisin bread, buckwheat honey, toasted nuts, cacao, and a hint of alcohol. Deep toasted bread flavour, rich dried fruit character, molasses, all very well-integrated into a faux-fruitcake profile. A hint of Restrained sweetness. Firm woody bitterness persists long into the finish. This huge beast of a doppelbock is unbelievably balanced. Heavy with restrained carbonation. Smooth, rich, velvety mouthfeel. Almost no alcohol heat. I can't believe how easy this is to drink. Big, richly flavoured, and gulpable - not much more I could ask for.

Serving type: bottle

04-12-2013 04:17:11 | More by mintjellie

Beelzebeer

Newfoundland (Canada)

3.86/5  rDev -5.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

650ml bottle, served in oversized tulip. No BB date, but it's a little over a year old.

A - black body, with dense mocha head, good lacing.

S - chocolate malt, some charred notes, sharp dark fruits, leather

T - same as in smell, but the density is so much. Booze taste at the end, with long aftertaste of chocolate and crystal malts

M - Too much. At 11%, you'd expect something thick, but this is too much. Medium-high carbonation that is pleasant, but the density is too much to take.

O - Glad I tried it, won't be searching it out again.

Serving type: bottle

03-30-2013 01:14:17 | More by Beelzebeer

analienacorn

Florida

5/5  rDev +22.5%

03-15-2013 04:24:47 | More by analienacorn

BEERchitect

Kentucky

4.24/5  rDev +3.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

There's a certain sweet spot in my heart for well made dopplebocks. I'm highly critical of them, but when I find one done correctly, I'm all arms. But what we have in frelser is a dopple- dopplebock because of the exorbitant alcohols and malt balances push the beer into the outer orbits of the style.

This version of the "liquid bread" of beers pours with a very rich and creamy weight- it looks somewhat like milkshake as the carbonation has a hard time pulling from the beer beneath. But the structural beer shows an extremely dark crimson hue with an onyx-like sheen. It's a beautiful color for the style. The beer is capped with a mocha-stained whipped topping that's creamy, dense, and just as rich as the beer. The beer sheds pocketed islands of lace with as much confidence as any beer from Germany would be proud to exhibit.

Strong malty aromas of lightly scorched toffee, toast, maple, brown sugar, and buckwheat offer up a rich aroma that's also of fruitcake, rum, plumb, dates, and figs. It's both savory the umami-rich savory aromas and fortified with light coffee notes.

The taste is sweet but supported by malty structures that aren't completely dependent on sweetness. The same molasses-type sweetness is met with the almost-meaty flavor of grilled breads, heavily caramelized malts, and near-soy sauce like savoriness. Dark grain fruitiness of dates, figs, and plumbs hinge on prunes and raisins- if ever so slightly. Rummy alcohol, dense bready richness and dried fruit portrays a fruitcake- like taste (in the most pleasant of ways). The beer only offers timid woodish bitterness to signal closure with mild bitterness in the back of the taste.

The beer's texture lives up to its nickname of "liquid bread" in that it is thick, heavy, and lightly chewy. The high alcohols hardly present themselves- only to thin the beer and contribute light rummy warmth to signal closure. That and the slight quiver of sweetness that introduces grain and wood to finish- the lager lingers indefinitely with a lot of the flavors that makes port, rum, and dried fruit flavors so irresistible.

Frelser is a seamless dopplebock that weaves together a lot of varying and challenging flavors that are otherwise hard to wrangle. But the beer is ultra savory, succulent, and satisfying to the taste buds, stomach, and mind for a very complex and effortless session.

Serving type: bottle

02-01-2013 07:20:51 | More by BEERchitect

ngeunit1

California

4.16/5  rDev +2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - Dark brown with a finger of frothy tan-khaki head. Fades normal.

S - Sweet caramel and dark caramel malts, dark fruits, cherry, chocolate, caramelized sugars, a bit of molasses and smoke, and a bit of booze.

T - Sweet caramel and dark caramel malts, cherry, raisins, and other dark fruits, chocolate, caramelized sugars, molasses, smoke, lager yeast, some booze.

M - Full bodied, moderate carbonation. Smooth with a warming, sweet finish.

D - Nicely balanced doppelbock. Great malty complexity.

Serving type: bottle

02-01-2013 06:54:36 | More by ngeunit1

spycow

Illinois

3.75/5  rDev -8.1%

01-12-2013 20:13:19 | More by spycow

YogiBeer

Illinois

4.75/5  rDev +16.4%

01-09-2013 05:46:18 | More by YogiBeer

JohneHoodlum

Pennsylvania

4.5/5  rDev +10.3%

11-11-2012 23:41:59 | More by JohneHoodlum

Rutager

British Columbia (Canada)

4.03/5  rDev -1.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This bottle was from Liamt07 in my CANBIF '12 box. Thanks man!

Appearance. Pours a deep, dark brown-orange with two fingers of orangy-light tan thick head that has great retention and leaves some thick lace.

Smell. Sweet caramel and cola, some dark fruits and oranges, and some dark caramel malts.

Taste. Nice sweet caramel, lightly smokey and bitter malts, some fresh rye bread, a little cocoa powder and just a bit of dark fruits. Boozy but fairly smooth.

Mouthfeel. Full body, maybe on the lower side with low+ carbonation.

Overall. A very nice, big doppelbock. Not sure I'll make it through this whole bottle, it's quite filling.

Serving type: bottle

11-05-2012 03:27:11 | More by Rutager

t0rin0

California

3.75/5  rDev -8.1%

10-29-2012 01:31:06 | More by t0rin0

Lynn

Ohio

4.5/5  rDev +10.3%

09-12-2012 03:04:33 | More by Lynn

dtx00

Pennsylvania

4.25/5  rDev +4.2%

09-02-2012 01:59:53 | More by dtx00

thebouch01

Pennsylvania

4.25/5  rDev +4.2%

09-01-2012 03:59:52 | More by thebouch01

Stinger80OH

Ohio

4.25/5  rDev +4.2%

08-31-2012 18:59:50 | More by Stinger80OH

mtbdonn

United Kingdom (England)

4.5/5  rDev +10.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

S-750ml bottle from Beers of Europe, Kings Lynn, UK.
A-Nice lasting beige head on dark, reddish-brown opaque brew. Medium thickness, very nice lacing and light head throughout consumption.
S-Sweet molasses, caramel aromas and strong notes of spice.
T-Molasses! Hints of caramel, chocolate, dates, hops.
M-Full-bodied warmful beer with a velvety texture.
O-Excellent beer! Reminds me a bit of BCBS. This beer will age very nicely!

Serving type: bottle

08-17-2012 18:46:18 | More by mtbdonn

decimator

Ontario (Canada)

4.03/5  rDev -1.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

750ml bottle poured into a Leffe goblet. ABV 11%.

A - Poured a deep dark brown with black and mahogany highlights. Light brown head is thick and creamy long lasting foam. Some lacing.

S - As soon as I popped the bottle open the aroma hit me. Sweet, caramel, cocoa, toasted bread, dark fruit (raisins, figs), some nuttiness, a hint of butter.

T - Some sweetness, lots toasted bread (almost burnt), some cocoa, dark fruit are not as present as in the aroma, some nuttiness, citrus sourness, bitter in the finish and some alcohol burn.

M - Full body, creamy, medium carbonation, lasting hoppy aftertaste. This one has a bite to it.

O - I can taste the alcohol but it's hard to believe it's 11%. Oh wait... I'm feeling it now as finish my first glass.

Serving type: bottle

06-30-2012 01:57:04 | More by decimator

bryehn

Ontario (Canada)

4.75/5  rDev +16.4%

06-17-2012 15:54:30 | More by bryehn

joemcgrath27

Alberta (Canada)

4.33/5  rDev +6.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

big up to my BA from another mother andrenaline for the hookup in our latest trade
A - deep dark hazy ruby brown, ridiculous tower of tan head left lots of random sticky lacing as it slowly faded
S - sweet grape jelly, chocolate, raisins, and buttery toast aromas .... oh, and grape skins like my buddy andrenaline, HAHAHAHAHAHA
T - strong grape medicine like phenols, chocolate and mild coffee maltiness, a mild leafy hop presence, with a butter & molasses finish, super tasty!
M - heavyish and sticky, creamy smooth, finishing sticky sweet, not even a hint of the monstrous ABV
O - extra tasty and drinkable, super pumped on this, highly recommended

Serving type: bottle

06-09-2012 04:15:59 | More by joemcgrath27

andrenaline

Ontario (Canada)

4.23/5  rDev +3.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

From notes...

Props to the LCBO for procuring this solid brew. Here's to hoping there's more like this to come!

A – Pours a dark ruby red, two fingers of mocha head, solid retention and chunky lacing.

S – Dark fruit, grape skins, hints of cocoa and milk chocolate, burnt bread and buttered caramel.

T – Wow, super flavourful, with the cocoa malts dominating, some dark fruit, figs and sweet grape skins coming through alongside a leafy green hop. ABV is insanely well hidden with only a touch of heat coming through.

M – The booziness is surprisingly well kept with only a touch of heat on the finish, medium bodied, smooth and a tad sticky on the finish.

O – I grabbed 3 more bottles of this for myself and 3 more for trades. It was fabulous and great to get through the LCBO. Loads of flavour and the cocoa and coffee malts over the fruity notes traditionally found in the style make for a delectable treat.

Serving type: bottle

06-09-2012 00:01:39 | More by andrenaline

brez8791

Pennsylvania

2.75/5  rDev -32.6%

05-28-2012 18:40:21 | More by brez8791

wordemupg

Alberta (Canada)

4.25/5  rDev +4.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

750ml bottle poured into tulip 15/5/12 bottle sent out by liamt07 cheers dude

A dark brown until held to the light and then it has a deep ruby glow, not enough clarity to see deep into the glass but there`s several streams of tiny bubbles floating up the side of the glass. the foam is dense mocha and retains very well slowly falling to a tall island surrounded by a thin film, lots of spider web lacing

S chocolate covered raisins, molasses, dark nutty toffee and some hops are still kicking around, a little coffee and booze but its well concealed all things considered,

T the roast is a little darker then the nose with some dark dried fruit on the finish I didn`t smell, rye bread, hazelnut chocolate come out and there`s a little more booze and even a little citric hops everything I smell is still there too, this tastes great

M fairly full and creamy, just a little heat and a massive hazelnut toffee aftertaste, a little sticky on the lips with a bitter bite

O complex big ass beer in my glass today, tastes awesome and I can only imagine how much hopping it took to shine through all the malty goodness, a nice balance though I`d drink this again

for a solo attempt at a 11% 750ml I had no issues downing the entire thing, I`m not sure if that`s a good or a bad thing. I`m curious how this would age with the hops fading but it`s drinking great right now, another thanks to liamt07 for the chance at this one

Serving type: bottle

05-16-2012 05:45:00 | More by wordemupg

liamt07

Ontario (Canada)

4.13/5  rDev +1.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Bottle from the LCBO, 750ml into a tulip.

Deep burgundy, but almost black with a soapy light brown head. Solid retention and lace. Nose has big malt notes, licorice, molasses, caramel, dark fruits and maybe some candy sugar. A bit of alcohol and some earthier hop notes perhaps. Taste is comprised of sugary sweet dark fruits, dark breads, molasses and syrupy dark candies. No alcohol on the palate, but the warmth is felt almost immediately (warmth in the face etc.) Some roast and/or hop bitterness in the finish. Full feel, and big body with a low carbonation. Sticky sweet. A very nice warming bock, going to put a bottle or two away for later this year.

Serving type: bottle

05-10-2012 02:56:01 | More by liamt07

pootz

Ontario (Canada)

4.2/5  rDev +2.9%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

750ml bottle Pours a dark brown clouded lager in the stein with a 3 finger frothy cap that lasts well and laces the glass. Soft carbonation. Aroma is slightly understated when chilled – dark cocoa, sweet bready malts, some noble earthiness light whiff of fusel alcohol. Big rich chewy malts in front – chocolate, nutty bready with some figs and treacle all balanced well with some really resinous hopping = goes to a long roasty bitter finish with a metallic hop aftertaste. Wow a big beer. But is it a dark (dunkler) triple bock or just a hoppy version of a Baltic porter. Who cares, it’s big, rich, hoppy and at 11%abv it’ll get you warmed up real fast.

Serving type: bottle

05-09-2012 14:08:39 | More by pootz