Weihenstephaner Korbinian - Bayerische Staatsbrauerei Weihenstephan

Bisho

Australia

4.88/5  rDev +15.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Deep muddy brown appearance with a slight reddish haze in direct light. Very creamy tan head which lasts down the side of the glass as you sip (or in my case, gulp.)

Smell of sweet malt is to the fore with some raisin toast and faint caramel.

Taste is big and bold similar to the smell. Sweet Malt, Caramel & Chocolate take centre stage but not in an overpowering cloying way. Faint citrus overtones and a dry if somewhat bittersweet finish!

Mouthfeel is creaminess all the way. Nice and light compared to what I was expecting from the inital taste. Near perfect.

The 7.4 ABV is hardly noticable with the great balance of the beer. I don't know if I could drink this all night but I reckon I could give it a good crack!

Serving type: bottle

01-13-2010 14:34:19 | More by Bisho

LyonsHead

Ohio

4.88/5  rDev +15.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

A: Deep ruby and crystal clear. Thick and creamy, tan head with great lacing all the way down the glass

S: Rich, Malty aroma, very bready and toasty with a fresh yeast aroma. liquid bread

T: Big Biscuit flavor with fresh dark breads and toasted lighter breads. bread crust. All of this is followed by a more melanoidan rich malty sweetness. goood!

M: Spectacular. Very full body, smooth, creamy, and chewy. Finishes dry but with sweet flavors (they just don't linger)

D: This is one of the best beers I've had the pleasure of drinking.

Serving type: bottle

03-08-2010 23:04:38 | More by LyonsHead

baos

Indiana

4.88/5  rDev +15.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

500 ml into bicentennial Mason jar.

Wow i have to say after the first few sips I can tell this is gonna be one of the best brews I've ever had. I'm glad i picked this one up.

A: Deep brown with ruby highlighted body; over this is a drei finger tan head, lacing is not that noteworthy but I bet on draft it is perfect. Head retention is good as well.

S: Pure malty heaven, nutty with hardwood sap notes. Dark caramel and sweet chocolate.

T: Heavy malts that make my tongue scream yuymmy mommy. Dark fruit preserves, caramel, a bit of oak sap, some nuttiness, and ends with a pleasant hardwood bitterness.

M: Take a bite of this beer its good.

D: Excellent. May be a bit strong for session trinken aber this is a good bier!

Serving type: bottle

05-19-2010 21:18:32 | More by baos

slayer3604

California

4.88/5  rDev +15.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

A-??? Eff you, B.A.!!! This beer is righteous!

A-Dark dark brown with a spotlight of amber/crimson when held up to the light, tight brown head that leaves a silky mess all the way to the last drop

S- nutty, malty, slightly phenolic, but in the right way, and completely oblivious to the fact that it is 7.4 abv....

T- rich, smooth, amazing and perfectly balanced. This is the oldest brewery in the world still producing the best beers out there...give thee thanks. NOTHING matches this brew in the price range and I beg to oppose anything better in the style.

M- Crazy smooth, perfectly balanced and malty in every good way there is to be malty. Praise the LAGER gods for this beer. I usually find this kind of complex beer in an American imperial brown or in something with a highly phenolic finish but this beer is so cleaverly created that it defies its alc. content.

D- Could drink this all day. In fact, I bought two....we'll see where the night goes.

Serving type: bottle

11-08-2010 06:02:43 | More by slayer3604

hoppyweasel311

California

4.88/5  rDev +15.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Appearance- Nice dark brown almost black color with a nice thick creamy tan head.

Smell- Dark bread, molasses, olives, cherry

Taste- Malty, Dark bread, cherries, tobacco, raisin, some sweetness, hint of coffee, very complex.

Mouth- So smooth and creamy with the perfect amount of carbonation for this style.

I am in love with this beer..

Serving type: bottle

10-22-2011 19:19:03 | More by hoppyweasel311

McNealc31

Ohio

4.88/5  rDev +15.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Korbinian pours a deep mahogany with ruby edges. The aroma is caramel and a hint of raisin. The first sip, and you know this is special. Remarkably smooth, full, and creamy, the caramel, dark chocolate, and toffee flavors completely coat the mouth. The hops make a bit of an appearance, but this is, as it should be, a beer that is all about the malt. The 7.4% ABV warms just a bit as it goes down.

Love this beer. Full of delicious flavor, creamy mouthfeel, nicely balanced with the hops. Flawless.

Serving type: bottle

02-05-2012 02:09:35 | More by McNealc31

Brent

Kentucky

4.85/5  rDev +15.2%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

This ranks among the best aroma beers I've had. Caramel, maple, toffee and a hint of chocolate. The first sip was almost as good. Lots of depth of flavor with caramel and roasted malts. I hardly noticed the significant alcohol punch at 7.4%, which hides in a spicy finish. Very nice.

Serving type: bottle

09-12-2001 21:57:43 | More by Brent

cokes

Wisconsin

4.85/5  rDev +15.2%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

The leather-bound doors roll open slowly before me, revealing a mahogany chamber trimmed in regal beige.

My nose pricks up and my eyes scan across the room, landing upon a copious dessert banquet, overflowing with the perceived perfumes of chocolate, vanilla and maple delicacies. Somewhere, in a darkened corner, an abandoned pipe smolders fumes of sweet tobacco, and something more herbal; something stickier.

The walls are bedecked in ornate malt tapestries, glowing softly and brown. Decorated delectably, with intricately interwoven plums, chocolate, maple wood, raisins, buttered toast and ginger bread. Such exquisite taste! Such majesty!
At the center of the hall, upon the lightly roasted malt thrown, lies a toffee crown adorned with hazelnut and cinnamon jewels. Luxurious rugs of cushioning alcoholic splendor drape across the floor. As comfortable as it is lavish.

I am awestruck as I decadently devour this malty opulence. I lose myself in its blanketing envelopment. For a moment, I am royalty. For a moment, the throne is mine.

From behind me, the King returns.

Serving type: bottle

03-11-2003 13:21:20 | More by cokes

PatandDavid

Massachusetts

4.85/5  rDev +15.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

You know, I wanted more after drinking this, but stopped myself. This beer was excellent. Had on tap at 'bones, served in a 10.5 oz glass. Pour was dark ruby in color, with very low head. This thin tan head did last through-out my glass however. Aroma was barleywine like, consisting of dark fruits, mostly plums in this case. Medium bodied, I am having trouble describing the taste (sorry!)...it was so smooth, and blended, and nothing sticking out and trying to be the center of attention. Mostly rich malt, with very slight alcohol in the background. Some caramel notes, some of raisins. I thought there was subtle hazenut notes in the finish. A very fine beer that I recommend highly.

Serving type: on-tap

11-19-2004 14:12:58 | More by PatandDavid

DesMoinesMike

Iowa

4.85/5  rDev +15.2%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

For my 100th review I decided to do something special. So for dinner before a concert I went to Hessen Haus (researching the beer menu before hand) and found this beauty. Even better, that have it on tap! And a dollar off during happy hour!

It was presented to me in a 1/2 liter mug, and the dark red, almost brown color mesmerized me. It had about a finger and a half of off-white foam that vanished after about two minutes. The aroma had some cocoa, toffee, and various spices, but was feint. The taste was more prominent of like flavors with a little more citrus present. For a 7.4% beer this went down fairly smooth. I'm not sure if it was the thickness of the beer or the massive chicken sandwich I had for dinner but it took a while to down my beer. Perhaps I was subconsciously savoring it. Perhaps I was consciously savoring it. The wife bragged about finishing her Spaten Octoberfest before I finished mine, but this was an event to enjoy.

An absolute repeat buy!

Serving type: on-tap

12-12-2009 16:03:27 | More by DesMoinesMike

ElCerverzero

California

4.85/5  rDev +15.2%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

I tried this beer out at a yuppie bar in L.A (Father's Office) and had to buy some for myself. I immediately went into a BevMo and bought three bottles (which costs the same as that one beer at Father's Office).

I love dark beers and this is one of the best (if not the best) that I've tasted. First off, the color is a beautiful mahagony and the head is a nice beige. What makes the beer pop is the hint of nuttiness in every sip. It goes well with German sausages or hamburgers. It's highly drinkable but would benefit from distanced drinkings. If you like Newcastle you will love this beer.

Serving type: bottle

05-09-2010 21:49:34 | More by ElCerverzero

putnam

Michigan

4.83/5  rDev +14.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Tasted single-blind with Aventinus and Bajuvator (qv.)
Medium-brown, like an Amontillado.
Aromas of toasted brown bread and burned sugar carry through on the palate where they pick up green fruit, white raisins, muesli, flowers and both roasted and raw hazelnuts in abundance. Beautiful! The long, complex, shifting finish inspires images of spring rain on hot asphalt. This was leaner that the other two beers in the tasting, almost a different style, and my favorite. More challenging. Not "easy." A bit wild. But supremely engaging for the senses as well as the intellect. Let it grow on you.

Serving type: bottle

11-21-2002 06:04:23 | More by putnam

WetCoaster

California

4.83/5  rDev +14.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Appearance: Beautiful tawny mahogany with a stable, dense mound of peaked espresso cream. Great retention. Crystal clear.

Smell: Deep, dark sweet malt sundae. Not really chocolate or caramel, sort of a... toffee... cake, I guess? Some cola and a bit of fusel alcohol. Good stuff.

Taste: So rich it's almost wrong. Heavy mouthfeel. Milk chocolate, sweetened coffee, toffee, caramel -- oh, yeah. Dark roasty espresso and a slight hopped bitterness into the finish.

Drinkability: The perfect storm here. Incredible flavor, managable abv, great price. Simply one of my all-time favorites; usually too busy drinking it to review it. Fantastic beer.

Serving type: bottle

04-02-2006 00:45:48 | More by WetCoaster

51mmz0rz

New Jersey

4.83/5  rDev +14.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured into a 0.5L Duvel tulip.

A: Tan head with great staying power and great lacing as the head travels down the glass. Body is dark brown and totally opaque; just what I like to see.

S:: Smells of caramel.fruits and a nice malt. Never smelled that before. Nice and strong too.

T: The smell hits my tongue, wonderful sweetness complex malts and sweet fruit. A little spiciness in the malt, and really not much alcohol in the flavor. Residual sweetness stays on the tongue.

M: Thick mouthfeel and perfect carbonation.

D: I can't seem to get enough of this. The flavor doesn't get boring and keeps me coming back.

Really a fan of big malty beers, and this is one of my new favorites. Superb.

Serving type: bottle

02-25-2007 05:54:25 | More by 51mmz0rz

Swill5786

Kentucky

4.83/5  rDev +14.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A - Pours an oxblood deep brownish red. Two finger tan head fades to a thin cap. Fantastic looking Doppelbock.

S - Sweeet. Deep malty character, chocolate and perhaps a cherry note or two - almost a cola-quality. But that description may be an insult... It's nowhere near coke. Bread crust comes along as it warms.

T - Malt dominates, tiny bit of hops in the finish. Alcohol and malt in the aftertaste.

M - Light carbonation, medium-heavy mouthfeel.

D - High as long as you take your time. A good half hour plus to savor this pint and a half or so...

Serving type: bottle

07-24-2010 01:38:26 | More by Swill5786

Phatz

Pennsylvania

4.8/5  rDev +14%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

This is a magnificent and complex brew.

Appearance: Pours a mahogany brown with reddish hues. Light tan head.

Smell: I instantly thought of chocolate and caramel, but quickly aromas of brown sugar, molasses, plumbs, rum raisins and soggy rum bread, toffee, and more filled the nose.

Taste: Big malts create a perfect foundation for dozens of additional flavors. Dark caramel, rum, dark fruits (raisins and plumbs dates), loads of cookie dough and bready flavors; subtle suggestion of toffee and nuts and a hint of German Hops. The dominate sweet character is offset by a gentle bitterness in the finish.

Mouthfeel: This beer is big and silky smooth. The velvety malt is oily slick and slides through the palate like a heavenly creamy silk.

Drinkability: Who could make a Double Bock so drinkable? Never doubt Weihenstephaner. This beer is terrific and goes down with dangerous ease.

Hope this is helpful.
Cheers!

Serving type: bottle

08-21-2006 17:55:27 | More by Phatz

Proteus93

Virginia

4.8/5  rDev +14%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

A: Gorgeous, deep chocolatey brown. Short, light brown head, quick to dissipate, no visible lacing.

S: Sweet, chocolate/caramel/toffee, gentle but warm aroma - quite deep, excellent for a good long sniff. Very nice!

T: Chocolate/cocoa, toffee, and perhaps the slightest coffee flavour. The alcohol is very well hidden. Just sweet enough, quite tasty.

M: Not overly thick - nice and creamy, and still full bodied, just about right for my palate. I'm not familiar with dopplebocks at all, but this is a pleasing introduction.

D: Fantastic. I will most definitely go with this one again. I am wishing I had some more to enjoy at least one more bottle.

Serving type: bottle

01-10-2008 03:31:58 | More by Proteus93

Pauly2X

Wisconsin

4.8/5  rDev +14%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

A- Deep ruby mahogany color beneath a one finger rocky head.

S- Very clean subtle complex malty profile.

T- Sweet on the take, with increasing complexity throughout. Dry slightly hoppy finish.

M- Dead perfect.

D- This will be a repeat, many times.

Truly one fantastic Dopplebock. I'm going to have to put this head to head with Celebrator, as this just might have a shot at the title.

Serving type: bottle

03-20-2008 02:16:02 | More by Pauly2X

ncvbc

North Carolina

4.8/5  rDev +14%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Pours a clear color which changes drastically depending the light it's up against. Has brown, red, and orange copper highlights. Medium head falling to a ring, steady carbonation. Smell attacked my nose right when I popped the cap. Huge sweetness was the impression I got. Caramel, toffee, a light spice, and some fruit. Glorious toasted grain and bread. Taste is superb. A delicate sweetness that is never overdone. Caramel and toffee are for sure there again. Hints of a wonderful nutty flavor and again this luscious bready aftertaste that I can and will not get enough of...give me another damn bottle! This stuff is lovely. In the mouth it's just a tad more full than you'd think but still great. Very easy going down. A solid, solid brew. I must remember to pick this up more often.

Serving type: bottle

05-11-2008 02:57:37 | More by ncvbc

TheSarge

Illinois

4.8/5  rDev +14%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Korbinian came out to me with a strong 2.5 finger thick head, which was a milky tan color. The body is dark ruby and copper in color, and is cleanly filtered.

The aroma is light, but complex. The typical sweet bready malts are present, but with a hint of a light maple and herb character.

This is the best tasting doppelbock I've ever had. The maple character is very up front, but gets pushed to the side quickly by a mild cherry like flavor. Finally the taste ends on a slightly sharp and herbal note.

Mouthfeel wise, this brew is full in body, creamy, and has a mild oily slickness. The warmness from the alcohol is barely detectable.

Again, this is the tastiest doppelbock I've ever had, and picked up four bottles for home from the brewery to hopefully share with my buds.

Serving type: on-tap

07-01-2009 16:39:15 | More by TheSarge

hustlesworth

Ohio

4.8/5  rDev +14%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

A- dark dark chestnut brown with a tiny hint of orange at the bottom of the glass. the foam looks amazing. tan, tightly bubbled, and creamy on top. it's got that whole melting ice cream look. also great retention for the +7 abv. some swirls and curls of lace cling to the glass like broken arches, but ultimately not much sticks long enough to crust over. rings of lace that form as i drink are more like thick gauntlets, and they stick much better than the initial splatterings. is that a bear on the label?

S- huge roasted, toasted, tart, fruity, and savory malt aromas just leap out of the glass. smells very molasses, meaty, and tomato, with cocoa and coffee hanging out in the background. the whole molasses/meat/tomato reference seems to be a combination of acidity, iron, and sulphur, which in food related context sounds more appealing. smells of sourdough pretzel and pumpernickel bread. some toasted caramel, brown sugar, and toffee hides in there too. seriously malty in every way and the aroma becomes sweeter as it warms.

T- the korbinian saturates the palate with complex flavor, surpassing perhaps even the legendary celebrator. all tartness and meatiness and tomatoiness from the nose is removed here, this thing is all about sweet and roasted flavors. milk chocolate and mild coffee, and chocolate milk that has had too much syrup stirred into it (which in this scenario is definitely not a bad thing). caramel, toffee, almonds, brown sugar, molasses, and mild fig-date-prune fruit flavors. somewhat spicy and herbal hop flavors remain intact but are so far behind the malt that they seems to act merely as a peppery accent, giving the roasted bitterness an assist in cutting the big malt sweetness. finishes with cocoa, coffee, and roasted grain flavor and a bit of a cassia spice. or moreover, maybe a chai tea minus the cardamom. lingering hop flavor without the hop bitterness, and subtle sugared dates and caramel. and not the slightest indication of alcohol throughout the whole thing. fantastic.

MF- probably as smooth ans luscious as it can get, feels like heavy cream, with any creamy film being washed away by a soft squeegee of very very delicate carbonation. i mean on the verge of low to very low and it fits perfectly. otherwise, the heavy maltiness and luxurious feel would be horribly disguised. in reference to coating, oh yea, there is plenty of stickiness on the lips, but also a present tannin dryness battling with the sugar on the cheeks to which neither is the victor.

D- on a different planet than other examples of a style that never got me too excited. to have a doppelbock better than this would simply blow my mind. i'm not ruling it out, and i'm sure there may be one out there, but as of now i'm oblivious to it. there's a little too much mineral in the nose, but the taste is so invitingly complex and the feel is so damn soft and smooth that the korbinian kicks the drinkability out of all others. all hail the pack bear.

Serving type: bottle

12-30-2009 03:59:37 | More by hustlesworth

NewGeneric

California

4.8/5  rDev +14%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Once again, thanks to Stein for the excellent selection at the store.
Poured into my hefeweizen glass.

A: Pours mostly a deep ruby hue, kinda brownish looking with orange, gold highlights around the bottom. A good amount of head falls fairly quickly into a uniform medium layer on top. Light tiered lacing sticks around the rim of the glass.

S: This has quite the bouquet! Nuts, dark fruits, toasted grains jump out all over the place in a harmonic display of boldness. Simple, yet exquisite.

T: The smell is only exceeded by the taste. Oh so good. This may be my new favorite doppelbock. All sorts of nuts, dark fruits like plums, raisins, prunes splash the palate with fury! Toasted and slightly roasted grains make their presence felt as well as some lovely chocolate notes hitting the perfect balance. Yes, this is my new favorite doppelbock.

M: Oh lord, I would give it a 5, but there is just a touch of harshness in the beginning. Even so, I'm still inclined to give it a 5, but I do see just a hint of room for improvement. Therefore 4.5. Smooth, slightly creamy, and leaves my mouth feeling like I was drinking heaven.

D: All night long.

Serving type: bottle

03-06-2010 05:11:00 | More by NewGeneric

Clydesdale

District of Columbia

4.8/5  rDev +14%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

A: Pours a deep reddish-brown color with some garnet highlights. Slightly redder than cola-colored. The tall, densely foamy head has a tan/khaki color and sturdy retention. Sporadic rings of foamy lacing stick to the glass.

S: Some dark malt up front - a bit of cocoa and brown sugar/toffee. Nutty and slightly leathery. Big fruity notes of cherries, red apples, and dates. A faintly herbal hop presence.

T: Firm, sweet maltiness up front, with cocoa, brown sugar, and toffee all having firm flavors. Quite nutty - walnut/pecan character for sure. Lightly earthy/leathery, which complements the fruitiness very well. Cherry, apple, and dark fruit (ripe plum and/or date) are all notable. A balancing bite of herbal hop bitterness sends things off the right way.

M: Medium-full body. Carbonation is lush and smooth. A sticky, somewhat coating mouthfeel with a big, riding aftertaste and slight finishing dryness.

D: This is an amazing, highly complex doppelbock from Weihenstephaner. Bursting with flavor and character on several levels. Excellent and heartily recommended. A must try if you haven't already.

Serving type: bottle

06-21-2010 01:56:08 | More by Clydesdale

TongoRad

New Jersey

4.78/5  rDev +13.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

It pours a clear dark brown with ruby highlights and a tall, dense tan head. Aroma is rich with caramel, raisins, bread and slight roasty undercurrents. The palate is doubly as rich as the nose with the perfect amount of clean bitterness to cut through the maltiness. A truly wondeful beer- not a misstep along the way to the lengthy roasty finish.

Serving type: bottle

02-01-2006 01:02:19 | More by TongoRad

expatsteve

Wisconsin

4.78/5  rDev +13.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Appearance: Dark chocolate brown, with low visibility. Spectacular 1 inch head, lingers for well over 5 minutes. Low/medium viscosity.

Aroma: Deep nose of chocolates, raisins, a little toffee and blood plums. No unexpected developments - mainly sweeter chocolates.

Taste: Wow. Toffee, coffee, mild raisins, and with roasted soy nuttiness. Great front palate malts are balanced by a good hops/chocolate malt finish. Chocolate developments on the front palate. Deep molasses, with a nice roasted sweetness and raisins to the finish. Metallic peppery notes keep the finish a little bitter and cleansing.

Mouthfeel: Perfect doppelbock body, as it's not too heavy and has a perfect malt emphasis. Malt finish is balanced by the mildest hops flourish. Great bready aftertaste. DOes get a little heavier as it warms.

Drinkability: Definitely tends toward the heavier, more bitter end of doppelbocks, but remains an exceptional contribution to the style. Pushes in all the right directions and remains exceptionally drinkable. Fantastic.

Serving type: bottle

08-05-2006 17:12:34 | More by expatsteve