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

Dave1999

Virginia

3.93/5  rDev 0%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a deep red colour with a white head.

Smells of rich malts.

Tastes strongly of malts and alcohol. Some liquorice and treacle as well.

Feels very smooth on the mouth. Thick and syrupy.

Overall a powerfull tasting beer, srong flavours and you can taste the alcohol in this.

Serving type: bottle

02-20-2012 23:44:27 | More by Dave1999

WastingFreetime

Wisconsin

3.7/5  rDev -5.9%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Reviewed from notes.

Appears a dark mahogany color, no visible hazing, with a short-lived soda fizzle sand colored head that leaves minimal lacing behind. At the moment of popping the cap, there is a very strange initial burst of pineapple upside-down cake aroma that settles back down, eventually content to be in the background of the multi faceted malt aroma. (bready, yeast, caramel, toffee) Flavor is a sweet brown sugared and hearty raisin bread buffet with some small amounts of drying alcoholic heat in the finish, although not quite as boozey as, oh say, a barleywine would be, it still has some mild hotness to it. Texture is smooth and silky as it ought to be, but that hotness does distract ever so slightly. Very slightly under carbonated as well for my preferences, but only just barely so. For me, this beer was like a flawed or poorly cut gemstone, in that it was a thing of real beauty unfortunately marred by a couple of imperfections.

Serving type: bottle

02-18-2012 21:21:58 | More by WastingFreetime

Vonerichs

Illinois

3.58/5  rDev -8.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

The body is a deeper hue of copper with a 1/2" of off white head. No lacing.

The smell is toasty as hell and for a second resembles sour dough pretzel. Herbal and caramel scents finish it.

A caramel and toffee sweetness is more prevalent in the flavor. Again, toasty malts dominate.

Mouthfeel is heavy with decent carbonation. There's a slight burn in the finish.

Decent for the style, I suppose, just not my cup of tea. I've definitely had better doppelbocks.

Serving type: bottle

02-18-2012 05:06:56 | More by Vonerichs

papat444

Quebec (Canada)

3.63/5  rDev -7.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a 12oz. bottle.

Appearance: Deep red hues in an amber body. Decent head that hold to about 2 fingers and leaves some lacing.

Smell: Brown bread, caramel and some fruit that i can't pinpoint.

Taste: Mix of herbs, caramel, dark bread, dried fruits and a sweet touch. Herb-like presence is more felt as it warms.

Mouthfeel: Smooth overall with some bitterness as well. Gets mildly harsh as it warms.

Overall: I liked it but not exceedingly so. Would have liked a more mellow taste though at almost 10%, it's an easy drinker.

Serving type: bottle

02-16-2012 12:23:07 | More by papat444

CuriousMonk

Virginia

3.83/5  rDev -2.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured from 12oz bottle into a pint glass. Never been a big Sam Adams fan but heard about their Imperial Series and supposedly this one was one of the best in the series, so I decided to give this one a chance. Pours medium brown with a reddish tinge along with a thin off-white head. Very malty aromatics, some notes of apple juice, slight whiff of alcohol, and a nice brown sugar note. Full malt flavor along with some apple juice and brown sugar as well. Malty with a nice warming finish and crisp mouthfeel. While not a bad offering from Sam Adams, I will not seek this one out again.

Serving type: bottle

02-15-2012 23:23:46 | More by CuriousMonk

Blueribbon666

Ohio

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

Poured a dark amber into dimpled mug with a little bubbly head presence before dissipating rapidly. Smells of malt and sour dough bread. A good mouthfeel on the tongue velvety smooth and a bit thick with combo of sweet malt with the alcohol present as well. Malty goodness but was surprised how this reminded me of an english barleyine or wee heavy with the combination of sweet malty thickness and evident alcohol presence, where as with a Dopplebock I was expecting a bit more carbonation to balance the sweet malts and alcohol. Overall a very good sipper with a little burn in the after taste...good to see SA showing they can still put out BIG beers as well as good well balanced styles

Serving type: bottle

02-12-2012 14:57:03 | More by Blueribbon666

gustogasmic

Michigan

3.85/5  rDev -2%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Proudly poured into my RED WINGS pint glass. Been too long since I've had a new doppelbock.

Pours a beautifully clear dark brown/ red amber. Bone-white head of thin bubbles. Tiny little bubbles move up from the bottom center constantly.

Smells weird but I don't know why. Molasses, syrup, and dark fruit are detectable but not in-your-face.

A sip opens up the mysterious aroma- caramel, molasses, raisins. Delicious and syruppy.

The mouthfeel rocks, which is good, because any doppelbock that doesn't feel awesome is shit. Little lager bubbles and a thick, creamy leave that complements the dark flavors very appropritely.

Doppelbock is one of my favorite styles- I've never encountered one this hot! 9.5 takes away the refreshment factor and makes it a sipper, but it's a type of beer that's good in big sips. Pretty great, but I'll go for an Ayinger Celebrator or Bell's Consecrator first! After this and the Wee Heavy, I'm certainly going to check out the rest of the Sam Adam's Imperials.

Serving type: bottle

02-10-2012 06:14:05 | More by gustogasmic

djbow

Maryland

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

A- Dark amber / brown, well formed two finger off-white head. Good lacing.

S- Sweet, super malty, vanilla and cherry undertones.

T- Sweet malt, some caramel and a mild hop bitterness. Dry alcohol finish.

M- Thick, coating, alcohol warmth.

O- I f you like you beer on the malty sweet side like I do you will enjoy this beer. Considering the amount of malt and other expensive ingredients that go into this beer it is reasonably priced. This fact coupled with it 9.5% ABV content there is allot of bang for you buck.

Serving type: bottle

02-02-2012 02:25:11 | More by djbow

ikantspel

California

4.1/5  rDev +4.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

served into a russian river goblet
no freshness date on bottle or label

pours a furniture oak color with a miniscule head. not too much lacing going on here

dark fruits, spices, hops, roasted black coffee, and lots of sweetness in the aroma

rich roastiness from the malts, some sweetness from the dark fruits, and a hint of toffee/coffee flavor

this is my first dopplebock but definately not my last.

Serving type: bottle

01-31-2012 06:13:48 | More by ikantspel

jman892

Massachusetts

3.7/5  rDev -5.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A - Pours a very dark ramber, light brown. Somewhat flimsy off white head which fades quickly.

S - Very nice aroma of brown sugar, dark fruit like a plum or a prune. Definite sweetness, like a brown sugar, or molasses.

T - Follows the nose, alcohol is noticeable. There is a bit of hop bitterness mixed in here, which balances off the sweetness. To me, which the hop flavor was a little more subdued.

M - Moderate carbonation, slight alcohol bite.

O - Solid if not spectacular. The hops were a little too present for my taste in a dopplebock, but on balance, was still a solid beer.

Serving type: bottle

01-27-2012 17:01:26 | More by jman892

tobelerone

New Jersey

4.38/5  rDev +11.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Really a tremendous brew, one of the best made by this venerable company and one I have enjoyed since its inception about 20 years ago. Semi-clear, hazy mahogany color, small head that dissipates quickly, not a lot of lace. Still the color alone makes for a nice appearance.

The taste and aroma are both excellent, sweet, caramel maltiness, toffee, molasses, figs and dates. Booze is well hidden. Just extremely tasty. Tons of chewy, bready malt.

Medium-full bodied, slightly sticky, very creamy, low carbonation, superb overall mouthfeel. Up there with the icons of the style like Salvator. I really enjoyed coming back to this one after many years away.

Serving type: bottle

01-23-2012 05:20:40 | More by tobelerone

dcook11

California

4.72/5  rDev +20.1%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

A- Poured into a snifter. One finger off white head. Ample lacing. Dark amber color, with small fine bubbles rising to the top.

S- Soy sauce. Sweet and tart. Cherries, both sweet and sour.Heavy maltyness.

T- Soy sauce. Again, a tartness, followed by a balancing sweetness. Sweet and sour cherries. Mild hop bitterness and a drying finish.

M- Heavy bodied.

O- One of my favorite beers in the style..

Serving type: bottle

01-22-2012 03:20:59 | More by dcook11

TuffNut87

Ohio

2.83/5  rDev -28%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

The beer looks beautiful in a tall glass..full bubbly head, deep amber color. Like their wee heavy the first drink is decent but grows excessively sweet. The flavors of chocolate and coffee would be better if not drowned in the higher alcohol content and sweetness. It is milder than the wee heavy but has some of the same issues.

Serving type: bottle

01-21-2012 00:47:48 | More by TuffNut87

xensure

Massachusetts

3.75/5  rDev -4.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured from a 12oz bottle in to the official Sam Adams glass.

A - Pours a beautiful dark amber/brown. Almost the exact same color of the empty bottle in the light. About a finger of head sits on the beer but settles away. However, a simple swirl of the glass with bring the head back to about a half finger.

S - A rather unimpressive smell, but still good. It smells of full malt almost bread like and a very slight hop scent in the background.

T - A deep rich malty flavor rolls through the mouth and lingers for a bit. A very slight but perfectly balanced hop oil flavor comes through on the very back of the tongue on the finish. These hops keep the beer very balanced and drinkable. The alcohol (9.5%) is well hidden in the beer and only warms through the stomach and not on the swallow.

M - The beers sits well in the mouth, smooth and rich, a little frothy. Leaves a bit of a syrupy film though on the finish, which is a little put offish.

O - This is a great beer. The malty rich flavors and alcohol content make it very enjoyable to drink. I liked it very much and even at $10 for a four pack I would buy it again.

Serving type: bottle

01-06-2012 01:30:07 | More by xensure

kylehay2004

Florida

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

Hazy brown with amber hues. Nice lacing, tan-brown single finger head. Aroma is malty, cherry, plum and caramel; sweet and a touch boozy. Flavor is malty, musty dark fruits and a little boozy. Moderate carbonation and medium in body. Semi dry finish. The booziness is near the edge of being too much. Otherwise this is a nicely complex bock.

Serving type: bottle

01-05-2012 00:04:28 | More by kylehay2004

HopNelius

New York

2.2/5  rDev -44%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2

Served in a mini snifter.
Appearance-Redish mahogany, appeared a lot lighter in color than Double Bock's that I am used too.
Smell- malty smell but not as malty as I would expect from a double bock.
Taste- notes of caramel and lots of malt, malt however is not burnt malt.Booziness does shine trough a bit.
Mouthfeel- Full Bodied, thick.
Overall- I did not buy this beer. Someone had bought it for me whith out knowing what kind of beer's I prefer. I do not normally gravitate towards Double Bock's but I have had several over the years and I usually end up comapring them all to ayinger celebrator double bock which this beer pales in comparison to.

Serving type: bottle

01-03-2012 00:35:51 | More by HopNelius

ZenAgnostic

Texas

4.1/5  rDev +4.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12oz bottle poured into a Three Philosophers mini snifter. No obvious date.

Appearance - Dark semi-cloudy ruby-brown body. Tan head with decent retention and fine lacing.

Smell - Tons of caramel. Faint coffee and alcohol.

Taste - Coffee. Bitter astringent hop. Thick syrupy sweetness. Bread and alcohol.

Mouthfeel - Full bodied. Mucky. Sticky. Slight effervescent crispness underneath.

Overall Drinkability - Pretty decent doppelbock. No real off characters. Smooth and drinkable. Nothing groundbreaking though.

Serving type: bottle

12-22-2011 04:55:18 | More by ZenAgnostic

KajII

North Carolina

3.8/5  rDev -3.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

[Best served in a Dimpled Mug]

The pour was a murky medium mahogany with a huge (3-4 finger) light brown thick creamy head that was mostly lasting leaving behind a ton of residue which in turn created some good sticky lacing.

The aroma was very pronounced of a roasted dark bread malt, a resin hop and a sweet doughy yeast with notes of caramel, toffee, honey, some dark fruit (raisons and figs I believe) and a strong alcohol odor.

The taste was sweet and malty with a touch of caramel and honey at first the transformed into a sweet bitter mildly sour flavor with a strong dark fruit presence and a not so subtle alcohol finish. The flavor lasted a decent duration with the sweet fruitiness and the alcohol tinge creating a nice flavorful aftertaste.

Mouthfeel was a bold medium in body and a tad syrupy and slightly oily in texture with a moderate carbonation.

Overall a brew with the flavors interacting very well together giving this beer a well rounded sweet fruity warming sensation.

Serving type: bottle

12-18-2011 17:02:23 | More by KajII

Hopfenpeter

Maryland

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

This beer poured a slightly hazy medium amber mahogany, with a eggshell head building about two fingers high. It dissipates fast and leaves good lacing.
The smell is of dark fruit like plum and fig, honey, caramel and toffee.
Tasting the beer, I was surprised how mellow the sweet aromas actually were. Up front is a honey character with the dark fruit flavors making it an interesting entree. In the middle the double bock character let's you feel a well hidden ABV. The finish is a
Mild hop that balances this beer nicely.
Great job! A very drinkable Double Bock.

Serving type: bottle

12-18-2011 04:24:25 | More by Hopfenpeter

fountainofyouth

District of Columbia

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

Bottle purchased at RFD in Washington, DC. Poured into a standard pint glass.

Appearance: The body is a cloudy darkish amber, with a fair-sized whitish head that dies after a couple of minutes.

Smell: Caramel, nuts, and dried sweet fruit.

Taste: Toasted malt, of course -- pears, figs, nuts, etc. Light hopping on the finish.

Mouthfeel: Light-mod carb on a creamy body. Smooth.

Overall: A pleasant doppelbock, but there are other worthy choices. (I even prefer Sam Adams's Chocolate Cherry Bock to this one.)

Serving type: bottle

12-07-2011 06:44:41 | More by fountainofyouth

industrialswill

Washington

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

This is a beer I might have over looked had I not read about it earlier on Beer Advocate.
It pours about the same color as the bottle it came in.
Low carbonation.
The smell is all about well roasted malt.
It's got a syrupy, sweet taste that reminds me of raisons, prunes & molasses. The high alcohol content has this beer right at the edge of tasting like wine.
This is good stuff.

Serving type: bottle

12-01-2011 03:34:34 | More by industrialswill

rlee1390

Indiana

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

A-Clear amber one finger head

S-Malty, spice some coffee.

T-Extremely malty, some roasted some bread-like, coffee flavors come in as well.

M-Medium bodied, decent carbonation.

O-I believe this is my first Doppelbock and I enjoyed it, a huge malt bomb but in a good way.

Serving type: bottle

11-30-2011 14:20:07 | More by rlee1390

Thickfreakness

New York

3.93/5  rDev 0%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A- Pours a mahogany brown with beautiful cherry/ruby highlights. Nice head that fades kinda quickly, but leaves a TON of sticky lacing!

S- Sweet, sweet maltiness! Notes of toasted walnuts and cashews. A little caramel, and burnt sugar. Has a real nice nuttiness to it underneath the sweet caramel malts. Picking up a touch of soap or wax as well.

T- Nice malty sweetness! Love the roasted nuttiness. I detect a bit of honey on the tongue which is nice. A nice bit of alcohol too. Really well done.

M- Sugary, sweet, nutty, and a little alcohol bite. Just a touch of soapiness. Kinda thick for a Double Bock. Nice oily, sweet finish.

O- Really sorry I waited so long to finally try this. I love all the Sam Adams Imperial series brews. Very underated if you ask me. I see me buying a bunch more of this and seeing how it ages.

Serving type: bottle

11-30-2011 04:36:30 | More by Thickfreakness

Whadawookie

Nebraska

3.95/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A pretty good dopplebock. I really haven't tried anything that beats Ayinger's, but this is pretty damn good and a little reminiscent of it, actually. I poured into a pint glass. Not much head retention/lacing. The color in this lighting is a dark amber, almost brown. It has good carbonation. It smells malty and with raisin or some dried fruit. It's decently hoppy for the style (or is that just the alcohol burn...it is almost 10%abv...). I like this beer quite a bit and it is a bit cheaper than a 4 pack of celebrator, so it might be a good alternative to it now and again, although from reading this site, I understand that it is just a seasonal.... bummer. What if I want to fast on beer in the middle of the summer??

Serving type: bottle

11-30-2011 00:54:10 | More by Whadawookie

TrappistJohnMD

Mississippi

4.5/5  rDev +14.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

A - pours a nice mahagony red-brown with thin very light tan head. Fair lacing.

S - cherries and ripe plum.

T/M - Good bit of carbonation. Mild bitterness and sweet. Good malty taste. Medium body. Very smooth.

O - This was my fist introduction to Double or Dopplebock. I love this beer. Probably a little partial to this beer over other dopplebocks because it was my first. In this economy it is always good to buy American too!

Serving type: bottle

11-29-2011 03:13:01 | More by TrappistJohnMD