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

mvanaskie13

Pennsylvania

4.29/5  rDev +13.2%
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

BuckeyeSlim

Ohio

3.45/5  rDev -9%
look: 3.25 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

12 oz. bottle poured into a NB snifter.

A – Pours a golden copper-brown into the glass. Loose one-finger head of light tan foam disappears almost instantly, leaving a very thin island of lace in the middle. Beer is a dark rosewood and moderately opaque.

S – Very soft nose that really requires coaxing out of the glass, even after letting it sit and warm. Rich caramels and toasted malts. Hints of cherry amaretto. Alcohol in the nose suggests a light brandy.

T – Deep, rich caramels with a bit of brown sugar and a touch of toffee. Toasted malts in the background. Rich, dense, dark bread. Alcohol is very well muted. Just enough floral bittering hops on the back end to be detectable and give it balance, but remain anonymous. Pleasant, but unremarkable.

M – Rather smooth, with just a bit of carbonation. A tad thin, but not watery. Components are nicely integrated. Short finish that doesn't cloy.

O – With no shortage of malts available, the lack of a nose in this beer disappoints. It's a straight-ahead doppelbock that's enjoyable to drink, but doesn't offer anything to separate it from the pack. Malt profile could be mistaken for a Scotch ale, which is fine by me. This would be a great candidate to barrel-age and add those characteristics to give it more complexity. All-in-all, this beer is one that I'd order because I wanted to take a break from tasting really distinctive brews and just wanted a solid but unchallenging malt-forward beer, and the menu lacked an exceptional option that couldn't be missed. One thing to note: priced in the high-teens for a six-pack, there are much better options in this style for the same amount of money.

Serving type: bottle

03-08-2013 06:47:19 | More by BuckeyeSlim

Neorebel

New Jersey

4.4/5  rDev +16.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Bottling date 1/23/13. Had this at the Tavern on Liberty in PA. Consecrator is a beautiful auburn color, with a very healthy 1.5" head. Quite fizzy carbonation going on here. The aroma is very powdery and candy-like. Lots of fruit esters coming up in both the aroma and flavor - apricot, plum, purple grapes, and raisins. The taste is smooth and bready, coating the mouth fairly well, and despite the 8% ABV, it's not too boozy. Overall, this is just like the best German Doppelbocks I had tasted the times I spent visiting there. I can't believe how smooth this is... Another stellar brew from Bell's!

Serving type: bottle

03-06-2013 17:19:22 | More by Neorebel

ChainGangGuy

Georgia

3.75/5  rDev -1.1%
look: 2.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 3.75

12 ounce bottle - $1.99 at Total Wine & More in Kennesaw, Georgia.

Batch #: 11667.

Appearance: Pours out a clear, deep, dark amber-hued body with just under an inch of ecru foam that dies out rather quickly.

Smell: Sweet-scented, caramelly, fruity nose of ripe cherry and robust plums which, when adding in the brandy-like alcohol, gives it a slight cordial quality.

Taste: Breadcrusts topped with brown sugar and a few addition drops of golden syrup. Subtle nuttiness. Pop of fruitiness of cherry and plum, mainly. Medium-high sweetness throughout. Lightly herbal hop character, low, light bitterness. A little warming alcohol slides on it. Fruity, fairly sweet finish with a sustained alcoholic quality (not quite hot, though).

Mouthfeel: Medium-bodied. Medium-low carbonation.

Overall: I haven't had this in nearly seven years. I thought it was a likable, above-average d-bock then and now.

Serving type: bottle

03-03-2013 03:15:29 | More by ChainGangGuy

SportsandJorts

Michigan

3.63/5  rDev -4.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5

Type: 12 oz bottle
Glass: Pint
Price: $3.50
From: Main Street Liquor in Ann Arbor

Appearance: Deep copper color. Perfectly clear. A thin tan head that fades quickly to nothing. Could be a bit darker.

Smell: a bit sweet. bread and malts

Taste: bread, some malts and sweetness, followed by an alcohol kick. A tad to strong and unbalanced on the alcohol

Mouthfeel: medium bodied. I wish it had a bit more body

Overall: Good beer, not great. A few steps away from being great. Glad I tried it and also glad I didn't pull the trigger on a 6-pack like I initially wanted to before I knew it was 17 or 18 bucks.

Serving type: bottle

02-20-2013 21:22:55 | More by SportsandJorts

33nickadams

Michigan

4.26/5  rDev +12.4%
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

CurtFromHershey

Pennsylvania

3.79/5  rDev 0%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 3.75

A - plus a deep copper. Honestly a bit disappointed this doppelbock wasn't darker.
S - very dark fruit forward. Figs, jam, prune.
T - flavor follows the nose close.
M - thick, luscious, chewy. Good texture for a Bock.
O - Meh, probably will pass on this in the future.

Serving type: bottle

01-19-2013 02:32:11 | More by CurtFromHershey

Goblinmunkey7

Massachusetts

3.63/5  rDev -4.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

Appearance: Ruddy copper with more brown leanings. Head is off-white, small, loose, and drops to a small collar in short order. Decent retention.

Smell: Big biscuity malt. Solid caramel presence. A bit sweet with some backing alcohol. Very bready. Did I mention biscuits and bread? Yeah, that's there. Some grassy/herbal notes in the back.

Taste: Hyper malty. Biscuity soda with some caramel sweetness. Like fresh baked brown bread. Crusty warm bread. Caramel sweetness builds as the beer warms, but never really overcomes the bready biscuity thing, which is good in this case. Some nice grassy/herbal notes in the back offer some break from the sweetness. A bit grainy with some hints of apple.

Mouthfeel: Smooth, very smooth. Body runs on the heavier side of medium with a carbonation that hits on the lighter side of moderate. Right on point.

Overall: Hello baseline.

A solid beer from Bell's...again. Do yourself a favor and drink almost everything they make and you'll be all set.

Serving type: bottle

01-05-2013 03:22:44 | More by Goblinmunkey7

rudzud

Massachusetts

3.63/5  rDev -4.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Received as an extra in a trade. Poured into my Duvel tulip.

A - Pours a crystal clear deep caramel hue with a thin half finger white head that fades to leave a thin cloud and light, light wisps.

S - Lots of sweet malts, sweet caramels and toffees. Fairly typical.

T - Taste is a bit sweeter than I prefer. More of those caramel and toffee notes with sweeter malts. Nice and tasty.

M - Mouthfeel is a bit on the thin side with lower carbonation. Even with the higher ABV its still pretty good.

O - Overall this wasnt a bad doppelbock. A few steps above average.

Serving type: bottle

10-18-2012 16:53:47 | More by rudzud

DMarlinJ

Michigan

3.95/5  rDev +4.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A. Poured into pilsner glass to get a half finger head. Nice looking foam not much lacing. I like the tiny foam bubbles that lingered for some time and could be revived with a little swirl. The rich reddish orange color is nice, with a little murkiness.
S. First hit is citrus, sour green apple and nutty caramel. As it warmed got more bready.
T. I get more nutty toffee and malt in the taste. Clean finish with some hop and touch of alcohol at the end. As it warmed it got more sour, not sure I like it. Was better colder.
M. I love the lightness and the frothiness feel from the carbonation.
O. I like it a lot a first but not so much as it warmed. I do like doppelbocks but some times they get too sour for me as this did but I would try it again and keep it colder.

Serving type: bottle

10-09-2012 02:17:46 | More by DMarlinJ

motorhed

Minnesota

4.25/5  rDev +12.1%
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

Beer_Runner

4.33/5  rDev +14.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Packaged on 02/09/12. Opened seven months after packaging.
Poured slowly into a standard pint glass.

A: It poured to about one-quarter finger of head that was a darker shade of tan. (Had to get very aggressive at the end of the pour to create a head.) After a few minutes the head disapated to an edge-ring. The brew is a dark amber with a deep ruby red hue. It is dark but still translucent and not at all cloudy.

S: The aroma consists of a sweet bready malt and some sweet and funky yeast.

T: The taste starts with a sweet bready malt with some dreid fruit notes of raisins and prunes. There is also some sweet yeast that is just a little bit funky, too. There is also just a touch of bittering hops to to keep the sweetnes from becoming cloying.

M: This is a full-bodied beer with a heavy feel. (Hey, this really is liquid bread.) There is only a small amount of carbonation, which fits the heavy body well. It is also a very smooth beer.

O: This is a "must try" for doppelbock fans and dark beer fans. It hits all the right notes for a doppelbock, and it hits them with flair. This is a sweeter, malt focused beer, and the balance comes more from the funkiness of the yeast and only somewhat from the hops. The result is a very pleasing brew for malt fans.

Serving type: bottle

09-16-2012 21:47:44 | More by Beer_Runner

ninaturner

Florida

4.4/5  rDev +16.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Appearance: Amber/brown in color with a one finger head

Aroma: Toffee, caramel, and chocolate

Taste: Tofee roasted malts, caramel sweetness, and a bread like flavors

Mouthfeel: Light to medium mouthfeel which is great for this style

Drinkability: Highly drinkable in my opinion, but I know that it may not be as drinkable for those who do not like caramel/toffee tastes

Overall: I am not usually a fan of the Doppelbock style, but I absolutely loved this creation by Bell's

Serving type: on-tap

08-18-2012 00:30:46 | More by ninaturner

centurian62

Michigan

5/5  rDev +31.9%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

I grabbed a mix and match sixer from a local snotty beer store and grabbed a couple Consecrator's as I had never had it before. All I can say is Bell's nailed it with this one!!!! Fantastic color, wonderful malty aroma and an extremely smooth mouthfeel. This is a Doppel that must be had. Wow!

The maltiness leads to a smooth finish with a slight hint of the alcohol content but is not at all overpowering. If you are a fan of doppelbocks or other malty beers, this one is a must try.

Serving type: bottle

08-13-2012 12:59:19 | More by centurian62

hopsolutely

Ontario (Canada)

3.93/5  rDev +3.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Purchased at the brewery in April and an excellent example of this style...

Pours a thin, reddish amber, lighter in colour than I expected, with very little head or carbonation of any kind. Supremely malt-forward aroma definitely has the roasted, bready elements of a bock. The flavour also nails this German varietal, with no sign of the 8% ABV until an alcohol burn just before the finish. Malty and smooth with a lingering bitter end.

Not a beer style I choose to drink often, but remember it well from earlier times in Germany and think Bell's has done a great job.

Serving type: bottle

07-27-2012 01:36:23 | More by hopsolutely

chinchill

South Carolina

3.88/5  rDev +2.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12 oz bottle served in a Unibroue snifter. Bottled 9 Feb. 2012.

Pours a clear, dark mahogany, with a short-lived, one-finger, off-white head.

The aroma (3.75) is a fruity mix of medium toasted malts and a dash of hops. There is much more fruit in the mouth than in the nose, with suggestions of prunes, figs and cooked raisins. A subtle hint of butterscotch toffee in the flavor. Some hints of brandy in both the nose and the taste. In fact, the nose is a bit boozy although the high ABV is fairly well hidden in the mouth. Rather sweet, particularly mid-taste but even in the lingering, fruity aftertaste. [Taste = 3.75]

M: medium body; low carbonation that I felt should be a tad higher.

O: A very drinkable imperial dopplebock that is a bit sweeter and fruitier than usual.

Serving type: bottle

06-19-2012 01:07:06 | More by chinchill

buschbeer

Ohio

4/5  rDev +5.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12oz bottle
Served in a pilsner glass

A - It is copper colored with amber highlights. Three inches of tan head top of this offering.

S - I get some caramel, toffee, and toast. Malty

T - I get that caramel again. I also get some molasses and a little alcohol.

M - Medium to full

O - Yet another solid beer from a great brewery. I had been putting off trying this one and finally did it. I was worth it.

Serving type: bottle

06-13-2012 00:58:38 | More by buschbeer

SawDog505

New Hampshire

3.3/5  rDev -12.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

Poured into a Stella chalet. Pours a dark brown, with a one inch off white head, with minimal lace if any. Smell is figs, brown sugar, carmel apple, and alcohol. Taste is all of those, very balanced, with carmel apple being the most dominant flavor. Body is thin to medium, not much carbonation, not dry, and pretty easy going down. Not my favorite style, but also not anywhere near the best of this style I have had.

Serving type: bottle

05-24-2012 01:48:13 | More by SawDog505

ONUMello

Ohio

3.25/5  rDev -14.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

12oz bottle dated 2/9/12 poured into a pilsner glass
A: Nutty brown color with a thin head that settles quickly
S: Quite sweet, reminds me of banana Laffy Taffy. Also a bit of light malt.
T: Brown sugar, banana, and quite a bit of booze
M: Medium-bodied underneath, but thick from all the sugar
O: Not my favorite from Bells. Not bad flavors, but too sweet and the etoh is too prevalent for my palate.

Serving type: bottle

05-14-2012 02:43:42 | More by ONUMello

yuenglingfan101

Indiana

4.6/5  rDev +21.4%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

poured into a pint glass. Copperish color and little head. Smells of chocholate but that's it taste is exceptional but mouthful dwindles as the beer dwindles. Good beer but not exactly what I expected from this company. Bell's usually hit the spot but this one is a tad mediocre.

Serving type: bottle

05-05-2012 21:18:24 | More by yuenglingfan101

mscudder

Georgia

2.03/5  rDev -46.4%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2

Consumed a few months back and documented.

A - Ruby amber hue. Poor sized head and little lacing.

S - Light roasted malts, but I really felt as if something were just "off" at bit.

T - Dark and heavy malts hit initially and seems pleasing until the finish arrives. To me. this is just unbearable. I cannot compose any diction that would encompass what I felt this taste was, but I just could not bear another sip. I have never purchased a beer that I found had such a horrid aftertaste I would refuse to finish the bottle.

M - Creamy and malt filled body. Still just offended by the finish.

O - Bar none the worst beer I have ever had from Bell's. I cannot seem to figure out why others covet this brew, but for me I will just avoid it from now on.

Serving type: bottle

04-28-2012 03:54:44 | More by mscudder

prototypic

Ohio

3.88/5  rDev +2.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Consecrator Doppelbock pours a darker copper color. It looks mostly clear. When held to light, really nice crimson highlights become apparent. A tan head covers it and rises to roughly a finger in height. It’s quick to recede, leaving a very light, spotty lacing behind. Frankly, there’s so little lace that I almost feel guilty mentioning it. Very nice color nonetheless.

The nose is pretty good. It seems just a tad weak, but isn’t bad by any stretch. It kicks off with a mix of caramel and light chocolate scents. It smells a bit sweet from the caramel. It has a rather strong yeast scent that smells nice. There are some light notes of cherry, dark fruit, and alcohol. The alcohol seems a tad strong, but not overwhelming. Smells pretty good overall. More strength might bump it a notch.

The flavor is good. I like it. The malt base is a mix of caramel, chocolate and toasted malts. The caramel variety certainly adds a sweet flavor, while the chocolate tastes mostly like cocoa. It’s a nice, flavorful base. Yeast is definitely strong in the mix and adds a bread-like flavor. It works well with the malt base. Secondary flavors of light raisin, fig, cherry, and alcohol follow. The alcohol is a little strong. It’s not warm, but is definitely there in flavor. Finishes malty with a light, tangy dark fruit twist.

Consecrator Doppelbock has a medium body. Carbonation is light and restrained. It feels nice and smooth. If not for a slight bit of booziness, it’d be incredibly drinkable. Nice feel though!

Bell’s did a nice job with Consecrator Doppelbock. It’s not among the world’s best Doppelbocks, but it’s a good effort. It’d be a notch better with a little less of an alcohol flavor and a stronger nose. Still very good nonetheless. Easy recommendation.

Serving type: bottle

04-21-2012 02:43:43 | More by prototypic

MattyG85

Minnesota

4.33/5  rDev +14.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured from 12 oz. bottle into a Sam Adams perfect pint glass. Bottled on 02-09-12.

Appearance: Pours a deep and fairly clear brownish amber orange with some shades of ruby red. Lots of rising bubbles and a solid three fingers of off white head with decent retention. Moderate amount of lace sticks around.

Smell: Sweet and bready roasted caramel malts with a good amount of toffee and grains. Hints of nuts, chocolate, and brown sugar. Also a subtle hint of dark fruits in the background. Smells very rich with the roasted caramel standing out the most.

Taste: A big bready taste of roasted caramel malts. Some hints of chocolate, toffee, grains, nuts, and some brown sugar. Also a nice dark fruit presence with hints of raisins and dark cherries. Some earthy hops provide a little balance in the background. A pretty good and full taste.

Mouthfeel: Medium to full body with a moderate level of carbonation. Very creamy and smooth. Sweet but finishes fairly dry.

Overall: A very solid take on a Doppelbock. Everything you would expect from the style. One of the better American versions.

Serving type: bottle

04-16-2012 03:51:02 | More by MattyG85

Scotchboy

Idaho

3.9/5  rDev +2.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Bell's Consecrator, 12oz bottle. Batch 10864, packaged 2-9-12, from a recent trade with laymansbeerfan (thanks man) poured into a (fittingly) Ram pint glass.

A: Clear brilliant amber with minimal head and lacing.

S: Bready and malty, toasted grain, hints of honey, spices, and brown sugar; no alcohol presence really.

T: Follows the nose, very malty and bready, low bitterness and minimal hop presence, a bit nutty, with a touch of a woody note, hints of spices.

MF: Medium bodied and straightforward, light bitterness, low to medium carbonation; silky, malty mouthfeel.

O: A good malty offering, not as rich and heavy as most other Dopplebocks I've tried. Pretty drinkable and enjoyable.

Serving type: bottle

04-12-2012 19:11:57 | More by Scotchboy

Immortale25

Florida

4.23/5  rDev +11.6%
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