Samuel Adams Double Bock (Imperial Series) - Boston Beer Company (Samuel Adams)

northyorksammy

Ontario (Canada)

3.95/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Pours a dark blackish-brown with reddish hues. Carmel and mollasses aroma, with ever-prent old ale alcohol. Deep and rich fruitiness and residual sweetness, fig and melange of pressed fruit. Medium-mouthfeel. Good to the end, and the tongue tingling and mouth drying, One of their best,satisfying.

Serving type: bottle

10-29-2007 04:01:12 | More by northyorksammy

BuckeyeNation

Iowa

4.43/5  rDev +12.7%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A lovely shade of rich, lustrous reddish copper that displays especial radiance when backlit with sunlight. A truly stunning color. The large, caramel-colored head is as creamydense as any you're likely to see and sets off the beer nicely. There isn't much lace, but even that can't dampen my enthusiasm. This is easily the best looking Sam Adams beer that I've ever seen.

The nose couldn't help but be a letdown. It consists of lightly roasted malt with a very faint sweet molasses presence. I don't pick up any chocolate or nuts or much of anything else that would make the nose the least bit interesting. Thankfully, it opens up with warming, pulling the score up in the process.

Back on track on the palate. Where was all that power and complexity in the nose? Double Bock reminds me a little of a wee heavy in that it has a sweet, smoky, brown sugary flavor with a wonderful alcoholic mini-punch to the chin.

The brewers did not skimp on the malt and it shows. This ain't no weak-kneed doppelbock, but a full-throated roar of lightly chocolatey, sweet and syrupy, dark caramelly, sticky date-like, three-dimensional, lightly boozy deliciousness. I'm not one to quote on style adherence, but it seems to me that this beer could also fit into the Scotch ale/wee heavy, the old ale or even the (lighter) barleywine categories with a little creative shoehorning.

The body is medium-full and the mouthfeel is slightly slick and infinitely smooth. The long, diminishing finish is especially nice with echoes of dark caramel intermingled with sweet citrus. Stealth carbonation is a perfect fit for the flavor profile and the body.

I'd be lying if I said that this beer is anything less than a stunning surprise. No BBC product that had previously crossed my lips led me to expect such an amazing beer, one that has been in my cellar for at least half a year, but one that I've passed over on innumerable occasions for more interesting looking fare. Unless you're an unrepentant hophead to the exclusion of all else, you'll find something to like about Sam Adams Double Bock.

Serving type: bottle

11-21-2004 20:09:09 | More by BuckeyeNation

mikesgroove

South Carolina

3.98/5  rDev +1.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Nice color to this with a translucent reddish tint around the sides of the glass. A small white head of foam then rose up from the bottom of the glass and settled down nicely leaving copious amounts of side glass lace.

The aroma was again very solid. Rich caramel malts, hints of earthy hops and other tones and a nice and rich sense to it. Some light hints of a roasted note as it warmed and the belly of grain could start to be picked up. The flavor though was top notch. Smooth and coating, this one seemed to take on a mind of its own. First sip dripped sweet caramel malts all over, rich and deceptively smooth. Moving through a slightly bready mid palate it came back out the other side with a nice, almost pine like hop note that was just enough to peak my intrest before rolling back to a smooth and subtle finish of deep roasted notes.

Serving type: bottle

05-26-2011 15:40:28 | More by mikesgroove

Thorpe429

Illinois

3.48/5  rDev -11.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Reviewed from notes.

Pours a dark toffee brown with an off white head and a decent amount of lacing on the way down my pilsner glass. Nose brings some caramel, toffee, and quite a bit of booze. Taste is booze, caramel, hints of dark fruit, toffee, and light maple flavoring. Mouthfeel consists of a medium body with a lot of alcohol presence. Good flavors, but--at least when fresh--this is dominated by a lot of alcohol warmth.

Serving type: bottle

10-16-2010 18:55:30 | More by Thorpe429

UCLABrewN84

California

3.73/5  rDev -5.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours a clear dark brown with a 1 inch tan head that settles to a film. Small streaks of lace form on the glass on the drink down. Smell is of sweet malt, bread, caramel, earthy wood, and some spicy hops. Taste is of sweet malt, bread, caramel, and some fruity flavors. Mild bitterness on the palate after each sip. This beer has a lower carbonation level with a smooth and creamy mouthfeel. Overall, this is a pretty good beer but not something I would probably go for again.

Serving type: bottle

09-30-2011 17:11:42 | More by UCLABrewN84

brentk56

North Carolina

4.13/5  rDev +5.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Appearance: The clear amber colored liquid is capped by firm beige head that leaves plenty of lace

Smell: Cherries and caramel

Taste: Although the flavor profile starts out sweet, with almost a cherry jam character, other flavors arrive, such as chocolate and spice cake that keep it from heading into cloying territory; the sweetness builds a bit after the swallow, but continues to stay on the right side of the equation throughout

Mouthfeel: Medium bodied, but a bit syrupy; moderate carbonation

Drinkability: A chocolate covered cherry of a beer; fine domestic example of the style

Serving type: bottle

08-04-2008 02:08:56 | More by brentk56

ChainGangGuy

Georgia

3.9/5  rDev -0.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Appearance: Pours a clear, dark mahogany-hued body with a thin cap of white bubbles.

Smell: Toasty caramel nose with a rich, vinous vein of fruitiness and a slight solventy tone.

Taste: Very sweet, very strong taste of dark caramel with a distinct plum and golden raisin fruitiness throughout and a hint of sweetened dough. Tiny bit of spicy hops and imparted bitterness, but for the most part, this one's all sweetness. Luscious, syrupy finish with a pinch from the warming alcohol.

Mouthfeel: Medium-plus body. Medium-low carbonation. Definite stickiness to the mouthfeel.

Drinkability: A slow sipper suited for ice-cold winter nights, it's a rather well-made, respectable doppelbock that can easily be found for a good price.

Serving type: bottle

08-11-2008 01:21:27 | More by ChainGangGuy

Phyl21ca

Quebec (Canada)

3.85/5  rDev -2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Bottle courtesy of Shp555: Poured a deep dark brown color beer with a nice light brown head with better then average retention. Aroma is dominated by some banana and cloves as well as some sweet malt. Taste comprised some subtle notes of banana bread with some cloves and some sweet malt. Body is about average for the style with alcohol well hidden.

Serving type: bottle

03-07-2007 19:46:47 | More by Phyl21ca

BEERchitect

Kentucky

3.5/5  rDev -10.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Looks promising at the offset with a lable that states it's higher than average alcohol, big body, and malty sweetness. A beautiful brown / ruby hue with a fleeting, white-ish head. Very sweet and very bold aromas that take on a molassas, syrup, nutty quality. Lowly hopped for maximum preceived sweetness. Tastes sweet and thick up front with a hiding alcohol content that comes through only in the dry, tacky finish. Barley malt, nuts, and toffee flavors remain persistant from beginning to end. Bold enough to counter the sugar sweetness. A bite-ey graininess hangs up in the back of the throat that compromises the drinkability, but not enough to ruin the beer. Though it doesn't compete, it's good to see an American Double Bock that stands up to German counterparts.

Serving type: bottle

03-06-2006 23:12:42 | More by BEERchitect

oberon

North Carolina

4.3/5  rDev +9.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Probably my favorite offering from BBC,pours a nice rich brown/red with a nice big rocky head.The aroma of roasted malt and caramel sweetness is very appetizing,taste is on the sweet side but not overpowering with a nice roasted background.There is some faint late dryness to balance this one out,one of the best doppelbocks I have had.

Serving type: bottle

05-18-2003 08:41:58 | More by oberon

NeroFiddled

Pennsylvania

4.5/5  rDev +14.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A three-fingered head of frothy dark tan foam rises majestically as you pour Samuel Adam's dark and malty Double Bock. It's clear mahogany in color with a ruby cast, and crimson and orange highlights when held to the light. The head retention is good and it leaves thin streaks and tiny spots of lace about the glass.

Rich, doughy, toasty, drizzled with sweet dark caramel, and with a flicker of alcohol, the nose entices you to imbibe!

The flavor follows through on the promise made by the aroma with a grand delivery! It's remarkably full-flavored, unlike some other "doppel bocks" on the market; and it's really nicely balanced to display its maltiness, rather than alcohol, bitterness, or hops. There are some spicy and grassy hops to it, but they don't really compete with the malt up front, they just keep it in check. They do, however, show themselves at the swallow and into the lingering, surprisingly soft finish. Alcohol is present as well, and once again, unlike many other examples, it's kept well in-check. You know it's there, you can feel it in the mouth, and taste it amidst the malt, but it's not really obvious until the finish - it works with the bitterness to dry the sweetness of the malt, and it's quite nicely balanced from start to finish, never becoming cloying or sticky, and never becoming hot or overly bitter. Very nicely done! One of the best doppel bocks on the market.

Serving type: bottle

05-27-2007 12:58:29 | More by NeroFiddled

TMoney2591

Illinois

4/5  rDev +1.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Served in a Sam Adams sensory pint glass.

Thanks to papollo for this bottle!

Why is the style listed as doppelbock when it's actually a double bock? (Tee-hee!) It pours a clear dark-ish amber brown topped by a half-finger of off-white foam. The nose comprises caramel, blackened biscuits, honey, and that English-style toffee we always hear about. The taste mostly holds true to the caramel and toffee, along with some less-burnt biscuits, figs, and a light touch o' booze. The body is a hefty medium, with a light carbonation and an almost chewy (gummy, perhaps?) feel. I find this to be the best of the SA imperial series, in terms of taste and overall interpretation of style. A fine doppelbock, indeed.

Serving type: bottle

07-23-2010 19:18:52 | More by TMoney2591

metter98

New York

4/5  rDev +1.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: The beer is hazy reddish brown in color and has a light to moderate amount of visible carbonation. It poured with a thin beige head that died down but consistently left a thin layer of bubbles on the surface along with a collar around the edge of the glass.
S: There are aromas of brown sugar and raisins in the nose.
T: The taste is similar to the smell and is malty with flavors of brown bread, caramel, molasses and raisins.
M: It feels medium- to full-bodied on the palate and has a moderate amount of carbonation. There is a bit of alcohol warming in the finish.
O: This beer is like having liquid brown bread along with some additional flavors and is rather easy to drink considering its strength because the alcohol is well hidden from the taste. It is a good representation of the style.

Serving type: bottle

06-01-2012 13:44:21 | More by metter98

feloniousmonk

Minnesota

4.08/5  rDev +3.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Color is a clear, dark garnet hue, and the head is a voluminous creamy tan, slow to crumble. Nose is impressive: deep, dark, earthy, yeasty, malty, fruity, but still a tad dry and roasted. Associations of cherries, port, sweet, strong liqueurs, cognac, leather. Full, lush, powerful mouthfeel, with a lingering, alcoholic finish. Taste is rich, delicious, never-ending. This a "dark lager" I enjoyed all the way down. It's "only" 8.5%? Feels it, too!
Probably the best Samuel Adams beer I've had in a long, long time. Yum, yum, yum!

Serving type: bottle

05-04-2003 17:16:28 | More by feloniousmonk

WesWes

New York

4/5  rDev +1.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

The beer pours a dark amber color with a thick frothy light tan head. The aroma is good. It has a nice dark malt feel with dry lager yeast scent. It smells creamy and quite sweet. The taste is good. It is a rich, malty brew with an emphasis on crystal and black malts. It goes down smooth and and warms on the finish. The mouthfeel is fine. It is a full bodied beer with adequate carbonation. This is a flavorful brew with a warm finish; a fine sessions beer.

Serving type: bottle

04-28-2004 01:41:00 | More by WesWes

drabmuh

Maryland

3.95/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

No date on bottle. Beer served in a Celebrator glass (close enough). Beer is brown and hazy, forms a thin off white head of small, tiny bubbles. Carbonation is low.

Aroma is caramel and slightly roasty.

Taste is pretty good. Its not the best doppelbock i've had but its pretty cool. Its caramel and slightly sweet up front, some carbonation in the mouth, good mouthfeel and some roast in the back.

Serving type: bottle

05-02-2010 23:34:18 | More by drabmuh

Mora2000

Texas

4/5  rDev +1.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

The beer pours a reddish-brown color with a tan head. The aroma is very nice and exactly what I expect in a doppelbock. I get a lot of toffee and sugary malt notes, as well as a little bit of dark fruit and some grape notes. The flavor is extremely malty. I get a ton of toffee and caramel malt as well as some cherries and other dark fruit. There is also a nice brown sugar quality to the flavor and the overall flavor is very sweet and malty. There is no hop presence in the beer. The alcohol is very well hidden. Medium mouthfeel and medium carbonation. One of the better year-round Samuel Adams beers.

Serving type: bottle

01-03-2011 04:12:28 | More by Mora2000

zeff80

Missouri

4.03/5  rDev +2.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A - Poured out ruby/brown color with a small, yet thick, tan, foamy head. It left small traces of lace.

S - It smelled biscuity and of rosted malt. Also, a fruity aroma was present.

T - It was bittersweet with a subtle spicy hop character. The warm alcohol presence added a fruity kick.

M - It was realatively soft and very smooth. A medium-bodied beer with a warming alcohol presence.

D - This is a good dopplebock. One of the most powerful that I've tried.

Serving type: bottle

04-06-2008 03:00:59 | More by zeff80

TheManiacalOne

Rhode Island

3.23/5  rDev -17.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2.5

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

A: The beer is a reddish brown, with a thick, off-white head that fades at a moderate rate and leaves a thick lace.

S: Very malty aroma, with caramel, vanilla spice, fruit (I want to say apple & apricot but I could be wrong), and a faint bit of hops.

T: Caramel & vanilla sweetness hit you right away and prevail throughout. There’s a slight taste of hops to provide the Sam Adams signature and it leaves a very sweet after-taste.

M: The heavy sweetness causes the beer to leave a sticky residue in your mouth; however it’s very smooth with a heavy body and medium-to-high carbonation.

D: It’s smooth and sweet so it goes down quite easily and masks the 8.80% ABV. However, it’s also very filling, which I don’t say about a lot of beers, even most full-bodied beers. Plus, even on an empty stomach, I don’t think I’d drink too many of these especially if there were something else to choose from in the fridge.

Typically I like the Sam Adams beers, but I wasn’t quite sure what to expect from this beer. I did expect it to be darker in color. The smell gave me flashbacks to the miserable Cranberry Lambic from the holiday sampler pack. However, I was able to get past that as the beer doesn’t taste like the Cran-Lam at all. It does taste more like the Winter Lager & Old Fezziwig Ale though. Overall, I just wasn’t impressed.

Serving type: bottle

05-11-2006 04:00:43 | More by TheManiacalOne

Knapp85

Pennsylvania

3.53/5  rDev -10.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

This beer pours out as a deep brown color, with a moderate brown head that doesn't really leave much lacing at all. The smell of the beer is rich with caramel and has a good malty base. The taste of the beer is big on malts and had a subtle sweetness. There isn't much of a hop flavor at all. The mouthfeel is medium and has a good amount of carbonation in it. Overall this is probably my least favorite of the Imperial series.

Serving type: bottle

05-24-2011 22:14:11 | More by Knapp85

russpowell

Oklahoma

4.22/5  rDev +7.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

BBD of Oct 07 pours an effervescent chestnut with 2 fingers+ of sand colored head. Good lacing & fair head retention

S: Big bready maltness, a little cinnamon & alcohol as this warms up.

T: Big malt & breadyness up front. A little brown sugar & caramel work their way in as this warms. I also get a little toffee & maple syrup. Finishes sweet (brown sugar & toffee), warming & slightly dry

MF: Chewy, a little sticky, medium to heavy bodied with low carbonation. My lips (probably cracked from the cold) are picking up a persistently alcohol sting

Drinks pretty easy, a nice take on the style & better than last years IMO. I will try to hold some back & see how it ages

Serving type: bottle

01-28-2007 04:16:55 | More by russpowell

Gueuzedude

Arizona

4.4/5  rDev +12%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A very vigorous pour into my 25cl tulip glass produces a four-finger thick, well amber tinged, tan colored head. The beer is a dark amber almost plum color that shows a brilliantly clear cranberry and gold color when held up to the light. The aroma is big and chewy with dense malt notes, lots of complex, concentrated maltiness and no apparent hop character to get in the way. I am able to pick out aromas of toffee, caramelized raisins, Maillard rich malt, big toasted grain notes, hardy brown-bread aromatics and even some rich malt character that makes me think of peat smoke.

Dense and chewy as the beer hits my tongue, while rich it is not overly sweet or cloying, instead it has a rich, complex malt sweetness that approaches being savory at times. A prickle of carbonation provides a touch of peppery texture that can't really cut through the thick body that is here. Dense, caramelized malt character, a rich Maillard browning malt depth, toffee, a touch of concentrated (though malt derived) fruitiness, a savory richness and a flavor that makes me think of a rich, hardy, lightly sweetened, dense German dark bread that has a kiss of brandy in it. The beer finishes with a touch of alcohol warming that provides just a touch of spiciness, but the malt just sticks to the palate and lingers on for quite some time on the palate. As the beer warms it picks up a hint of dark cocoa flavors as well as some toasted nuttiness in the finish. This definitely has a huge body on it, even for a beer of it's strength it is quite chewy; this works very well for a Double Bock (which I am now thinking is bigger than a Doppelbock).

This beer is quite clean in both the nose and flavor; it is spot on for a lager and really allows for the concentrated malt character to come out. This is actually quite tasty and actually exceeds my expectations. The aroma is not bad, it is actually pretty good and mimics the flavors that are present quite well, but for some reason it is the flavor that I am really excited about in this beer. This will definitely age for some time in the cellar, but I am going to say that I think this is a beer that is best enjoyed fresh; you want to taste the sharp malt character and age will only round things out here.

Serving type: bottle

05-31-2009 15:52:53 | More by Gueuzedude

Halcyondays

California

3.6/5  rDev -8.4%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3.5

12 oz. bottle,

A: Pours brown with a light white head, fair retention, no lacing.

S: More dark fruit than malt, a little bit of chocolate and cherry, not exactly what I was expecting.

T: Wow, this stuff is sweet, like sucking on a caramel candy. The flavour is good and to style, but it is sweet. Tons of caramel and toffee, no hop flavour to be found.

M: The flavour I liked, but the amount of residual maltose makes the beer quite cloying and it doesn't have enough ethanol or body to make up for it.

D: An interesting dopplebock, any malt and caramel fan would love this.

Serving type: bottle

03-26-2009 17:31:43 | More by Halcyondays

Gavage

New Jersey

3.88/5  rDev -1.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours a deep bronze color with an off white head that's about an inch thick. Some lacing developed. Aroma is of sweet malt. The flavor is very malty with hints of prunes. The alcohol is very noticeable.

The mouthfeel is syrupy with a tingling sensation while swallowing. The syrupy malt sticks to the tongue for a bit. The alcohol is a bit too noticeable here to give it a good drinkability ranking, but the flavor is nice.

Serving type: bottle

03-06-2004 16:09:07 | More by Gavage

jwc215

New Jersey

4.28/5  rDev +8.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Freshness date of end of October notched on label:

Pours dark rubyish brown with an off-white head that thins, but lasts awhile before become a lasting, swirling patch. Some lacing sticks.

The smell is bready, caramelish, with a touch of Continental-type hop spiciness in the background. Malt-accented.

The taste is malty - caramel/toffee with a spicy fruity/rum-like balance. Nice malt complexities with just a hint of sufficiently balancing hops. Fruity alcohol is prominent, but not too sharp or covering. Finishes with a warming sweetness.

Full-bodied and rich, it leaves a sweet, but not sticky, aftertaste.

Well - it packs a certain punch, but there is a smoothness, and certainly a flavor, that makes it drinkable for the abv. A good interpretation of the style and one to have around in the cold/cool months.

Serving type: bottle

02-22-2008 16:44:12 | More by jwc215