Bell's Consecrator Doppelbock - Bell's Brewery, Inc.

johnnnniee

New Hampshire

4.3/5  rDev +13.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Batch 8251 Bottled Jan 08, enjoyed 09/03/09

Pours a reddish brown with a nice ruby hue when held to light. Smallish bubbly tan head dissipates quickly. Holy malt aroma Batman! Lots of Molasses and toffee, and burnt sugar. Raisins and some other dark dried fruits and a touch of alcohol. Very little if any hops present in the aroma. Taste is more of the molasses caramel and burnt sugars. You think its going to be sweet, but there's just enough hops and alcohol in there to pound that malt back down. Finishes with a lingering prune/raisin finish. Thick body with a light carbonation and a syrupy mouthfeel. That's a pretty damn good Dopplebock. Bell's continues to impress me with every beer I get to try.

Serving type: bottle

09-03-2009 23:49:05 | More by johnnnniee

MichPaul

Michigan

4.3/5  rDev +13.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

This is my first ever Doppelbock and I'm really enjoying it!

It's hard for me to review something if I have never tried the style. It feels unfari to not be able to compare to some other, but here goes.
There is not a lot of smell that hits you once you pour, but that's ok. The beer pours kinda a dark Amber color, and looks quite boozy.
For me, this has more of a mixed drink feel rather than a beer, but I still enjoyed it.
I'm not sure if I will search this beer out necessarily, but I would like to try some others of this style to see what some others taste like comparatively.

Serving type: bottle

04-05-2012 22:03:52 | More by MichPaul

mvanaskie13

Pennsylvania

4.29/5  rDev +12.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

We need more doppelbocks in this world.

Poured into a tulip glass, head presented very thick, 1+ inch, color is light tan; body color is copper to amber, more amber, nicely transparent.

Smell is subdued, light caramel, raisin and toasty malt, some other fruity notes present.

Taste is very clean, light, can't believe its 8%, so exceptionally smooth. Flavors are similar to the nose, clean, light nice caramel, raisin, toast, other fruity notes.

Mouthfeel is very smooth, this is not a sweet doppelbock, not cloying. light flavors and sweetness balanced by solid hop bitterness. Subtle carbonation to keep flavors present.

Overall, this beer is very good, solid doppelbock. Clean flavors, not too sweet, maybe more helles bock than doppelbock, but the lighter doppelbocks are a good balance to the heavier ones.

Serving type: bottle

03-17-2013 00:45:16 | More by mvanaskie13

neenerzig

Ohio

4.28/5  rDev +12.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A 12 oz. bottle poured into my pilsener glass. It pours a deep reddish/copper color with a white head about half an inch thick that settles to a fairly thick ring lining the inside of my glass about 3 minutes after being poured. Sweet malty aromas of caramel and candy dominate, along with maple and brown sugar and rounded out by a bit of a nutty aroma. Sweet bready, malty flavors with hints of nut, maple and caramel are present. Nicely balanced. No flavor dominates another. Very well balanced taste. Surprisingly sweet in smell and taste for a beer of this style. The 8% ABV is well masked here. Has a crisp, full bodied mouthfeel with moderate carbonation. Very easy to drink, almost too easy for a beer of this style and ABV level. Definitely at least worth a try.

Eric

Serving type: bottle

04-03-2007 00:57:27 | More by neenerzig

Pubcrawler

Indiana

4.28/5  rDev +12.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

I've been waiting to try this beer on draft before I rated it, and it's very delicous.

A - A dark carmel color, with a good frothy Head. Spider web foam left on the glass.

S - Smells of malts, hit of hops and alcohol.

T - Somewhat sweet, and alcohol taste, but yet balanced.

M - Light to medium feel, yet smooth down the throat.

D - Very drinkable beer, but not too many in one night due to ABV, but definetly wish this was around alot longer then it is.

Serving type: on-tap

02-23-2009 22:48:25 | More by Pubcrawler

thryn

Florida

4.28/5  rDev +12.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured into a basic pint glass. Clear, bright amber. About a thumb of cream-colored head. Looks like a carbonation bubble party in the glass.

A lot of biscuity malt in the nose ... almost candy, with a sweet grassy character. Not much to it.

Ooooh, this is delicious! There's a ton of sweet malt, of course, but it's not too heavy. Fluffy biscuits, a hint of something buttery that I doubt is actually diacetyl, but maybe? It's not bad. A bit of hop to clean the finish,but plenty of sweet aftertaste. Alcohol is not noticeable at all.

Body is medium ... not too heavy at all, and that actually works really well for this beer. Carbonation keeps it from weighing me down.

Way drinkable for an 8% beer, and way drinkable for a doppelbock. The light mouthfeel and slight hop balance go a long way on this.

Serving type: bottle

03-29-2009 07:09:16 | More by thryn

NODAK

Tennessee

4.28/5  rDev +12.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Aroma is fairly sweet...some toasted grain in there...a mix of caramel and grains.

Body follows the aroma pretty well. There's a good amount of sweet, caramel malt in this beer that has an undercurrent of toasty grain underneath it throughout the swallow. However, it isn't as sweet as most doppelbocks I've had...doesn't come across as heavy. A bit of astringent bitterness from the heavy malts hits at the back but it is minor and fleeting.

This actually reminds me of some oktoberfests I've had because of the toasted quality to it, and that the heaviness of the malts is toned down a bit compared to other doppelbocks. Tastes very German for this reason. Very tasty, though. Easy to put back.

Serving type: bottle

11-17-2010 02:45:16 | More by NODAK

adman08

Wisconsin

4.28/5  rDev +12.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A-Brown with an obvious red tone. Moderate head that fades fairly quickly.
S-Aromas of toffee and roasted malt. Fairly sweet smelling.
T-A complex mixture of flavors, hints of vanilla, light toasted malt, toffee.
M-Very smooth, almost creamy feeling. Decent carbonation.
Overall, extremely good for the style. Rich malt flavors but not overpowering. Sweet but not too sweet. I love the smoothness. This is a fairly expensive beer but I'd highly recommend trying it at least once if your a fan of sweeter, more malty beers.

Serving type: bottle

06-04-2011 01:58:15 | More by adman08

DesMoinesMike

Iowa

4.28/5  rDev +12.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Served in a wine glass at Wine Styles

It's a deep red that's a touch cloudy and a wimpy tan head. The aroma is striking, with an abundant amount of plumb and some toffee. The taste is subdued, but only slightly, with a bit more of the malt coming out to make it more balanced. It's smoothness is almost at the top of the scale but it does have a mild dryness I don't see much in this style. Overall, a great beer I'd have again.

Serving type: bottle

07-31-2011 14:12:59 | More by DesMoinesMike

33nickadams

Michigan

4.26/5  rDev +12.1%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

Completely crystal clear amber colored. Beautiful. Not much head and lightly carbonated. Smells bready, malty and sweet. Taste is bready and slightly sweet. Some grape and raisiny flavors. Finishes clean. Alcohol hidden. Mouthfeel is relatively light for being somewhat high gravity. This is expertly crafted and an American hallmark of the style. Won't find many better for this style than this! This style is quickly becoming one of my favorites.

Serving type: bottle

02-16-2013 02:03:33 | More by 33nickadams

TheBierBand

Ohio

4.25/5  rDev +11.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I was pleased to find that one of my favorite establishments in the world is now putting BELL's on-tap! Mecklenburg Gardens, Cincinnati, OH has always been renouned for it's German cuisine and bier selection. Now, they've added a feather in their cap... BELL'S!

So, since The Bier Band was performing for a Bier Dinner at Mecklenburg's, I ordered up a big ol' litre of BELL's Consecrator. It was served with a big 1-1/2" off-white head that was poking over the rim of the giant mug. This almost cried to have a picture taken of it! The bier was a bright copper in color and quite clear.

The nose was of toasted malt and molasses.

Taste: Quite good! I picked up on toasted malt, molasses and dried fruit.

MF: Quite rich and robust. Appropriate carbonation that led to a nice creamy feel (just how I like it) and a bit of a warming sensation from the alcohol.

Drinkability: Over the course of the evening, I had 2 liters... this was plenty. I was full, but I wasn't falling down either. I recommend Bell's Consecrator Doppelbock.

Serving type: on-tap

02-09-2008 19:19:36 | More by TheBierBand

Buebie

Minnesota

4.25/5  rDev +11.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

My buddy gave me this bottle to try, picked it up today.

Poured from a 12oz brown bottle ino a snifter. Poures a ruby dark red that glows almost a pale brown when held to light. A good inch and a half of white fizzy long lasting head. Receeding to a thin cap of retention and silky lace rings.

Aroma is of grapes, dark fruits, hints of cocoa, ant bready caramel rolls. Just a touch of roasty grain aroma, its quite fruity.

Sweet upfruitn with a juicy creamy mouthfeel and wisps of smooth creamy carbonation. The grape aroma is very much present in a raisiny plum like grape flavor. A touch of spicie rye and more chocolate and ceral grain roastieness. This is so well balanced with malts and grains and just a touch of dry hoppy finsih. Lingering with a clean crisp mildly fruity finsih.

Excellent brew!

Serving type: bottle

03-01-2009 01:32:57 | More by Buebie

HisDorian

Ohio

4.25/5  rDev +11.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

first sip, this beer is AWESOME!!

Nice huge malty beast that surprisingly pushed me from Pales for a while.

Extravagantly carmel, super big flavor, big malts. Extremely smooth. Not a session beer. I can have 1, maybe 2 in an evening.

Poured from a bottle to a wine tulip. Nice vigorous spin of the bottle before opening the top. Super malty and the yeast is so flavorful. This may be my new favorite Bell's product...but Oberon is still my summer session beer.

Medium body for mouthfeel. Huge body for flavor. I'm ready for it to come out next season.

Serving type: bottle

04-30-2009 02:54:18 | More by HisDorian

brew3crew

Ohio

4.25/5  rDev +11.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Batch # 10150

A-dark marble brown with white head that disapates to white lacing around the edges.
S-caramel and malt like I have come to expect from these beers
T-alot like it smells. Very sweet, almost like a piece of candy. Not bad at all
M-crisp clean and smooth. Very creamy
D-wow. So drinkable. Solid brew

Serving type: bottle

03-07-2011 00:05:51 | More by brew3crew

motorhed

Minnesota

4.25/5  rDev +11.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from a 12oz bottle into a Surly pint glass.

A - Pours out with fairly low level of carbonation less than a finger of very light tan head. The color of this beer is fabulous, a cloudy very dark copper/brown with a touch of ruby red. Zero lacing to speak of as it is consumed.

S - First thing that comes to the nose is cherry and dark fruit sweetness with some funk. Some carmel and light malt in the background.

T - Dark fruit flavors up front with what tastes to me like a cherry cough drop. The middle consits of the carmel and malts. Really very little hop flavors in here but just enough malt base to balance the level of sweetness of the brew. No hint of the 8% abv.

M - Super drinkable, full-bodied, low carbonation levels, smooth finish.

O - Really liked this beer and i'm a big fan of the Doppelbock style in general, so i may be biased. Such a great balance of enough sweetness to balance the malt on this one. I couldn't taste a bit of the 8% on this brew. Will definitely be looking for and drinking this beer again.

Serving type: bottle

10-05-2012 00:42:34 | More by motorhed

Immortale25

Florida

4.23/5  rDev +11.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured into a Southern Tier tulip-style snifter. Back label says PKGD 2/09/12.

A- Pours a clear reddish brown color with a 1/4 inch off-white head that retains nicely before becoming a thin ring around the edge of the glass and a mostly-covered surface of foam. Above average lacing.

S- Faint cereal grain smell with a hint of richness in the back. Semi-roasty but sweet.

T- Pretty deep for a doppelbock. Toasty malts with the mild dark fruit providing a sweetness. The 8% ABV is well-hidden. Small notes of banana and maybe some rye spiciness.

M- Vibrant and full, especially for a lager but also doesn't skimp on the crispness and refined nature. Medium-low carbonation and slightly dry.

O- It's Bell's...need I say more?

Serving type: bottle

04-11-2012 00:44:16 | More by Immortale25

TasteTester

Ohio

4.22/5  rDev +11.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A- Nice, dark amber color. Head doesn't last and no lace to speak of.

S- Smells like most bocks, with a little more malt on top.

T- Tastes like a good bock.

M- Good mouthfeel. Slight warming tingle.

D- Not the biggest fan of bocks, but would drink this one again if I found it on tap.

Serving type: bottle

04-11-2008 21:20:03 | More by TasteTester

ThirstyBird

Germany

4.22/5  rDev +11.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from a 12 oz. bottle into a pint glass
A pours honey amber in color, with a nice tan head that falls to a skim.
S Delicious sweet rich malt with hint of dark cherries.
T Taste follows nose
MF Tenderly carbonated & smooth. Great medium body.
D A very nice drinking doppelbock. A little lighter than some of the great Germans but very drinkable.

12-15-09 Update
I just had a Consecrator with at least 1.5 years on it and must say it was delicious. It was as described as above but more caramel in the taste. Smooth and silky. I never intended to age this beer but it seems that it does improvew a bit with age.

Serving type: bottle

11-17-2008 03:41:48 | More by ThirstyBird

bamadog

Kentucky

4.22/5  rDev +11.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I thought I actually reviewed this beer already, so I'm thinking that I wrote it in my notebook which I have since misplaced during my move and have not yet located it yet. However, the nice thing about that problem is that I now get to drink another one and it's well worth it. Poured from the bottle to a pint glass.

Appearance: Pours a caramel color with some hints of ruby in it (a very pretty color, actually) and a fairly minimal head - approximately 1/2 finger that is the lightest tan; there is solid carbonation bubbling up from beneath and it makes the surface skim look like it's got dozens of little geysers bursting at the surface; body is largely clear.

Smell: Deep sweet caramel/slightly burnt sugar and warmly roasted malts that aren't quite toasty; hints of alcohol in the nose. A very sweet smelling beer that's making me thirsty just smelling it.

Taste: Wonderfully sweet and malty; strong hints of caramel and slight hints of butterscotch; a very slight and miniscule hop bitterness is hidden way in the back; fairly strong vapor of alcohol clings to the breath.

Mouthfeel: Body is a little thick and chewy; carbonation is quite strong and causes a lot of tingling in on the palate, especially on the insides of the lips; a slight stickiness is present, yet the alcohol brings about a certain dryness when it's said and done; mouth, chest and stomach are warmed from the alcohol.

Drinkability: It's a great beer that's got a lot going on -- I really dig the sweetness and I especially like the chewy body. It goes great with food and compliments the strong German cuisine that I was fortunate enough to get to eat with it. The ABV is a bit high, but hey, when you're eating it with food it sits a little easier. I think if I was just drinking it at the end of the day or at a bar, I would definitely have to go easy and be sure to drink some water with it (unless I wasn't driving, then I wouldn't really care).

Serving type: bottle

06-11-2009 23:18:28 | More by bamadog

TheViolator666

Ohio

4.22/5  rDev +11.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

12 oz. bottle poured into Great Lakes pint glass.

Appearance: Dark brown caramel in color, very pleasant to look at. Light brown head that left in a hurry. Disappointed when I saw no lacing.

Smell: Fresh baked bread and molasses.

Taste: Tastes of molasses as noted in the smell, raisins and bread are also prevalent. Nice and malty and a very very slight taste of alcohol. Definitely drinkable.

Mouthfeel: Medium to thin bodied with a slightly dry finish.

Serving type: bottle

07-06-2009 23:59:39 | More by TheViolator666

berpwillie

Pennsylvania

4.22/5  rDev +11.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

pours a rubyish amber color with some light fluffy tan head, as well as some light lacing. lots and lots of carbonation with a very souribitter taste. hints of something not sure what that give it a bit of a fruity taste and smell. feels almost like a soda but not in a bad way. i really enjoyed this beer and how different (in a good way) that it was.

Serving type: bottle

04-15-2010 13:06:38 | More by berpwillie

BeerAdvocate

Massachusetts

4.22/5  rDev +11.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Review from BeerAdvocate magazine Vol. II Issue X:

Dark ruby brew, with creamy beige lacing that drops to a ring with some stick. Soft aroma of brown bread, melanoidins and hints of dark, ripe grape. Smooth, creamy and fluffy on the palate. Carbonation is tight and prickly. Malts are sweet with more melanoidins, brown sugar, touch of caramel, faint hint of paper, and purple grape juice around the edges. And then the beer drops dry. As if it was never in your mouth. Ultra-clean and very well-attenuated.

Flavorful up front, clean in the end and extremely drinkable. Yep, this brew tastes German in comparison to many of the sweet, alcoholic malt bombs that Americans interpret the style to be. Horns up to Bell's for keepin' it real.

Serving type: bottle

09-20-2010 17:30:14 | More by BeerAdvocate

bismarksays

Iowa

4.22/5  rDev +11.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This is a beer I had picked up and put down on many occassions at the liqour store. I finally manned up and was pleasantly surprised.

A- Poured into a JW Lee pint glass with a nice dark brown with maybe a tinge of red. Lacing was tan and excellent.

S- Baked bread, sweet malty goodness, and maybe just a hint of fruit (grapes?)

T/M Caramel, sweet, rich malty with a hint of roast as well. Balanced and restrained without being subdued. Carbonation was excellent.

D- I could have a few of these to celebrate an occassion be it birthday, New Years day..or just a Tuesday

Well made beer that when I shared with a fellow beer lover, he remarked, "This could be German"

Serving type: bottle

10-05-2010 04:02:05 | More by bismarksays

tikibeer

Illinois

4.22/5  rDev +11.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a rich mahogany with very little head and very little lacing.

Aroma is sweet malt and caramel.

Taste is very smooth and sweet. Lots of rich malts and nuttiness as well as a hint of prunes or raisins. Has dryness on the tongue.

This is an easy drinking beer, but the sweetness may little the number that you have.

Serving type: bottle

03-31-2011 05:50:52 | More by tikibeer

Kbogac

Illinois

4.22/5  rDev +11.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured into a Sam Adams glass. Nice mahogany/burgundy color. A slight head that dissipated quickly. The smell is slightly sweet & malty with a hint of fruit. First taste is sweet and malty with some caramel. Some dried fruits and molasses that finishes with a little alcohol warmth. Mouthfeel is lighter than expected but very nice. Easy to drink. Overall a very good beer.

Serving type: bottle

03-31-2011 21:53:57 | More by Kbogac