EKU 28 - Kulmbacher Brauerei AG

IchLiebeBier

Virginia

4/5  rDev +2.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Appearance: Copper, small head

Aroma: very sweet, fig-like, hint of molasses

Taste: creamy, sweet, syrupy mouthfeel, dry hoppy finish, very strong; excellent sipping beer

Remarks: Did not score A, T, S, M at that time; please disregard those scores

Serving type: bottle

06-15-2013 12:42:03 | More by IchLiebeBier

BWED

Pennsylvania

4.28/5  rDev +9.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

330 ml bottle poured into a snifter

A- Rust, copper with a minimal, but creamy yellow tan head. The glass becomes speckled all around with lacing. The calming after a good swirl reveals some legs, slowly running down the glass.

S- Caramel and dark drunken fruits. Booze is prominent.

T- Caramel, again, and quite a bit of booze. Not very well hidden, but it adds to the brandy-like feel of this beer.

M- Velvety thick, with very light carbonation. The finish is surprisingly clean, with just a shade of warmth from the alcohol. Not what I was expecting in the finish, and it makes it an easier (and more dangerous) drink.

O- This is unlike any German beer I have had. It has more attributes of a Belgian strong, with out the spiciness. It's a big big beer, which you don't see too much of coming out of that country, but it is so well done. Incredible and a total surprise to me.

Serving type: bottle

06-04-2013 14:48:07 | More by BWED

Flounder57

Massachusetts

3.95/5  rDev +1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

11.2 oz bottle was poured into a mug.

Appearance: This beer poured a one finger head that reduced to a thin layer. It is a copper color beer with great clarity and bubbles coming up through the glass.

Smell: Sweet maltiness, alcohol, and honey. Very standard aroma for a doppelbock.

Taste: Same as above. The sweet caramel and honey flavors pretty much allow the booze to cone out. A little bitterness in the end.

Mouthfeel: Super sweet smooth drinkability, full bodied, low to medium carbonation, and a bit boozy.

Overall: Solid beer and quite the sipper. Especially out of a mug. I feel that this beer would take hours to drink and a gallon of water, but that's the way the style is intended to be. I couldn't see myself drinking more than one, but enjoying it a few times a year.

Serving type: bottle

05-27-2013 01:55:54 | More by Flounder57

rickyleepotts

Arizona

4.53/5  rDev +15.9%
look: 2.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.75

I see this bottle a lot, but never knew what it was. I just figured it was a Euro pale lager or something light, thin, and with a low ABV. Nope. I was wrong! Its a Doppelbock and is 11% alcohol by volume. I am not familiar with this beer or this brewery, but am excited to try this. There are a few beers from this brewing company on the list. Oh, and it was fun learning where the 287 comes from. That is the beer's original gravity. Fun! I don't have any expectations for this, so hopefully it's good!

In the Glass: It has a nice amber color… almost red in the glass. The head is thin white, and there is little lace. Looking at the beer next to the bottle makes me want to go to Europe. Oh, and I am sick of beers coming in smaller bottles. I am used to the big bombers, but this one is only 11.2 ounces. Don't worry, we have about 10 bombers in the fridge waiting to be consumed. The AleSmith Speedway Stout is one I am REALLY excited to drink.

Nose: That smells like a Euro pale lager. Doppelbocks are typically smokey and have a nice "camp fire" aroma, but this is bland, boring, and there are some somewhat sweet notes creeping in. This smells like those cheap high ABV beers from Russia. Before-After is one that comes to mind. If you have never tried that beer, grab a bottle. The label is worth the price of the beer! A second whiff isn't doing much for me. If the aroma is any inclination on the flavor, I will like it. Beers like this are easy to drink and pack a punch. Let's see!

Flavor: Yep, that is the flavor I expect. The flavor is sweet, and has a nice finish. But whoa… what happens in the finish. There is the smokey flavors I expect when drinking a Doopelbock. But the flavor is intense, and when I say, "packs a punch", it does. You taste the 11%. The burp is nice, too. The sweet flavors come rushing back. For only $3.29, you can afford 6… but might only need a few! On my second sip, I swished the beer around in my mouth a little. The carbonation was obvious, and it became almost sour. I would love to see them get that flavor in the beer without the added work!

Mouthfeel: The beer is thin and boring on the front of the palate, but toward the back it really heats up. Not literally… well, the alcohol starts to become obvious. The flavor really hits the back half of the tongue, and on the sides of the tongue at that. As you swallow, the finish is smooth and the spicy smokey flavors take over. Then, my favorite part… the aftertaste.

Aftertaste: I wish more beers had an aftertaste like this. The mouthfeel is thick, and when you swallow the beer becomes sweet, but quickly turns to that expected smokey flavor. Every time I swallow it becomes more dry and more balanced, but the smokey flavor remains. If you want to experience a true Doppelbock, grab a bottle of Cinder Bock from the small batch Sam Adams collection. It is liquid smoke, and delicious!

I didn't have expectations here, but I love it. It is sweet, loaded with booze, and I can see myself drinking a jug of this stuff. I wonder if they serve this by the jug in Germany… I am sure they do. Let's go find out. Prost!

Serving type: bottle

03-18-2013 21:36:25 | More by rickyleepotts

pcguitarwzrd

Florida

3.9/5  rDev -0.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Copper colored with a white head and impressive alcohol legs.

S: Honey, toffee, bourbon, alcohol.

T: Man, this is like a cold, carbonated version of hot toddy! Taste is right on par with smell: honey and caramel/toffee malt flavors, a little bourbon-barrel note here and there, and a fairly warming alcohol presence.

M: Syrupy and rich, very satisfying. Not something to drink with a meal--needs to stand on its own.

O: A sweet, boozy, powerful beer; quite an experience. Good to sip by the fire. Not something to drink a lot of, though.

Serving type: bottle

02-15-2013 22:23:11 | More by pcguitarwzrd

Matthewislee

Virginia

4.94/5  rDev +26.3%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

This is an outstanding beer. Well balanced, but strong. Appropriately carbonated. Not as sweet as I had expected (to my happiness) but just as malty as you would expect. Beautiful color. Lots of little tiny bubbles. This is high quality and I haven't got a great deal of experience with the style, but now I'm eager to try some more.

Serving type: bottle

01-13-2013 02:55:45 | More by Matthewislee

karait95

Mexico

4.09/5  rDev +4.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: clear body, good carbonation, big light brown head that remains some time, color is light ámbar maybe a little lighter or faded that it should as a Doppelbock.

S: intense malty smell with some alcohol clearly present, maybe some caramel

T: flavor is intense caramel malts are the main ingredient, a malty backbone with high alcohol flavor.

M: an intense and complex sensation, since start alcohol can be easily detected. Sweetness is strong but not overwhelming it is a balanced sensation.

Serving type: bottle

01-13-2013 02:50:27 | More by karait95

M_C_Hampton

Georgia

4.78/5  rDev +22.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

A: Poured from a 330 mL bottle into a pint glass. Deep orange copper colored with a small 1/4" light colored head that quickly dissipated leaving no lacing. A lively stream of carbonation steadily flows upwards from the bottom of the glass. Crystal clear.
S: apples, prunes, red stone fruits, sweet malts
T: sweet fruits upon first taste melting into wholesome malt, balanced slight bitterness from hops upon finish, prevalent flavors of complex alcohols and esters notably banana, can taste the alcohol but not 11%, improves as it warms
M: excellent full feel with proper carbonation, finish is smooth without feeling oily, leaves a very pleasant aftertaste
O: As my first eisbock I was unsure of if I would enjoy the style. I was pleasantly surprised by how balanced this beer is. I was expecting a much sweeter, alcoholic tasting, "chunckier" brew. I would seek out this beer again.

Serving type: bottle

10-25-2012 00:24:14 | More by M_C_Hampton

superspak

Michigan

4.05/5  rDev +3.6%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

330 ml bottle into tulip glass, bottle code 2054134. Pours crystal clear orange-copper color with a 1-2 finger off white head with good retention, that reduces to a thin ring of lace. Minimal spotty lacing on the glass. Aromas of caramel, toffee, grape, molasses, raisin, prune, toast, earth, and light herbal spiciness. Very nice aromas with good balance and complexity. Taste of caramel, raisin, toffee, molasses, prune, toast, grape, and light herbal spiciness. Light spiciness on the finish; with lingering notes of raisin, prune, caramel, molasses, toast, toffee, earth, and herbal on the finish for a bit. Nice balance and complexity of flavors; with no cloying sweetness at all. Fairly dry on the finish surprisingly. Medium carbonation and fairly full bodied; with a creamy and slick mouthfeel that is nice. Alcohol is insanely well hidden with only a small warming noticed after the finish. Dangerously smooth to sip on. Overall this is an damn nice doppelbock! Nice flavor balance and complexity; and surprisingly smooth to sip on. Really enjoyable stuff.

Serving type: bottle

09-18-2012 03:19:59 | More by superspak

mscudder

Georgia

3.85/5  rDev -1.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured into a snifter.

A - A rich orange infused copper hue with a thin off-white head which leaves no lacing or retention whatsoever.

S - Take a cognac, mix it with beer and that is what you have here. Sharp alcohol, fruit and sugar.

T - Starts with a boom of sweetness composed of caramel, burnt brown sugar and honey. Almost like Amaretto with a beer twist yeilding the apricot as the lead fruit. There is a touch of nuttiness present... seems to be almonds. The finish is very, very long. Warmth coats the palette and finishes almost as if u you suckling on a sugared almond, strange.

M - Medium body with moderate/light carbonation.

O - This is a sweet, thick warmer. The flavors are well balanced given the ABV, but damn... this one can knock you on your ass.

Serving type: bottle

09-13-2012 06:08:13 | More by mscudder

TheRealBigC

Nevada

4.25/5  rDev +8.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Pours a rich copper color with minimal head, barely any retention but noticeable bubbles throughout. Not bad for an 11%. Smell hints strongly at a huge malt presence. I get a bit of raisin in there. Taste is pretty spectacular. A big smack of alcohol comes straight away, followed by creamy caramel and fruity goodness and then finished with a bit of spice from the alcohol again. Surprisingly, it's not out of balance at all. And that alcohol is really nice and warming. It's a beer to be reserved for night caps and it makes for a great change of pace as such.

Serving type: bottle

08-12-2012 06:37:05 | More by TheRealBigC

thagr81us

South Carolina

3.55/5  rDev -9.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Big thanks goes out to my doppelganger for sharing this one! Served from bottle into a Terrapin mason jar. Poured red-orange with a half finger off-white head that subsided to a minimal amount quickly. Maintained decent lacing throughout the glass. The aroma was comprised of sweet malt, caramel, caramel hop, and sweet alcohol. The flavor was of sweet malt, alcohol, caramel, caramel hop, and subtle fruit. It had a medium feel on the palate with medium carbonation. Overall this was a pretty decent brew. This one was definitely on the slightly boozy side if I am honest, however there was enough other things going on here to help cover that up slightly and balance it out. The mouthfeel on this one was spot-on though and definitely helped with the drinkability. Glad I got the chance to try this one, but doubt I would go out of my way to do so again.

Serving type: bottle

07-06-2012 10:39:18 | More by thagr81us

acevenom

Louisiana

4.38/5  rDev +12%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured into a pint glass. Pours clear dark amber with a tall, biege head that dissipates slowly. Plenty of tiny bubbles can be seen rising from the bottom of the glass. Lacing is not left on the side of the glass as the head dissipates. A wispy cap is left atop the beer after the head dissipates. The beer smells very sweet and the alcohol comes through in the aroma as well. The aroma is slightly bready. The flavor is dominated by bready sweetness from the malt and the alcohol heat does come through in the flavor. It's grainy. The body is full with little carbonation. The finish is dry. The alcohol content makes this beer a sipper, but it is an easy sipper. Overall, this is an excellent beer for the style. One wants a doppelbock to be a meal in a glass and this satisfies.

Serving type: bottle

06-10-2012 20:02:11 | More by acevenom

thecheapies

Pennsylvania

3.95/5  rDev +1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

$3.50 for the bottle, and the determiner for splitting a case with a buddy. Bottle most likely from 2011. Dating code reads '1961271'.

Properly using my tiny EKU 28 snifter.

Pours a cinnamon orange color with some decent clarity. Maybe the slightest bit of haze. Bright-colored for a doppelbock. A little foam capper donned this one, and has since fallen to a scum layer with a tight ring. 4.0

First thing that hits is musty cereal grains, almost like whole grain cereal and milk in a bowl. Glaze of caramel and a sprig of herbs rounds it out. Some esters like dried stone fruits. A tiny dose of peanut butter fudge in the mix. 4.0

First sip and I know where the ABV is. Decent layer of fusel alcohol that grows a bit going down. More toasted grains with doses of caramel, other burnt sugars, and dates. A little apricot in the background. There's a sweetness that carries all the way through. Hops are pretty muted, but I can find some herbal/medicinal notes that could be their doing. Semi-spicy finish. 4.0

Definitely more carb than, let's say, Samichlaus. These could be considered two similar beers. Both uber-strong doppelbocks that tend to age well. This one's more similar to the standard. EKU 28 has a more medium-than-full body without much stickiness. Heady as the bottle depletes, and that's where the strength shows up. How subtle! 3.5

EKU 28 has won its case as a quality German doppelbock, but I don't think I'll be picking up an entire case of this sucker. A few bottles to lay down would be fine, but I don't think I'd want to mess around with 24, or even 12, of these bad boys to determine peaking age. A very sturdy brew, but nothing to go all-in on. Still very deserving of my overall score. 4.0

Serving type: bottle

04-04-2012 02:53:25 | More by thecheapies

RonaldTheriot

Louisiana

4.73/5  rDev +21%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

EKU 28 has a thin, beige head and a clear, amber appearance, with some lacing and tiny streaming bubbles. The aroma is rich: heavy, sweet, caramel malt, toffee, sugar, and grain. Taste is alcohol forward, with a background of sugar, caramel candy, black bread, and syrup. There is also a little bit of bitterness, but not much. Mouthfeel is thick, sticky, and heavy, and EKU 28 finishes mostly dry and boozy. Overall, this is a great beer.

RJT

Serving type: bottle

03-15-2012 20:50:31 | More by RonaldTheriot

soju6

Missouri

4.35/5  rDev +11.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A: Pours a clear amber color with a nice off-white head that fades rather quickly with no real lacing.

S: Fragrant aroma of dark fruit, malt sweetness, some caramel and a hint of alcohol.

T: Flavor of dark fruit and some caramel sweetness. there is just a hint of bitterness and a slightly sweet sticky finish.

F: Fairly medium body, smooth and velvety. Very little trace of the alcohol. As it warms the aroma and flavor become more enhanced and gently warms from within.

O: This comes across as a well crafted beer and the perfect winter warmer. A great sipper to be savored.

Serving type: bottle

02-21-2012 00:34:49 | More by soju6

flannelman808

California

4.33/5  rDev +10.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

A: Yellow amber in color, this one is very clear. It's topped with a barely off-white head which disappears rather quickly leaving only a thin white film around the top. Lacing is ok.

S: The aroma gives me the impression this may have succomb to oxidation, perhaps light pollution given the clear bottle. Wet cardboard and nutty (almond like) aromas come forth. Some toffee and hints of banana show as well now that it's warmed.

note: Interestingly as this has warmed up it has become much better smelling. Still there is something sort of odd about it however It sort of reminds me of a nice highland scotch, complex and malt driven (not peaty). It has a hemp rope sort of quality now which is growing on me.

T: Wow, surprisingly good this is maybe just an odd smelling beer... Sweet flavors of angels food cake and iced cookie come to mind. Some nutty flavors come through as well in a toasted almond sort of way. Warming alcohol shows up as well in a really pleasant way and makes me wish I had a fireplace. Despite the sweet flavor profile this is really not cloying whatsoever. It would appear this specialty bock has very little residual sugar which makes sense as it has been brewed with yeast efficiency in mind and spends 9 months fermenting.

M: Very good feel, crisp but velvety on the tongue as well.

O: This is a pretty awesome beer I must say. I've no way of knowing if the off flavors in the aroma are usual or if It's an effect of travel but the flavor more than makes up for them. Rich and crisp all at once, sweet flavors but not overtly so.

Serving type: bottle

01-16-2012 07:43:50 | More by flannelman808

Zimbo

United Kingdom (Scotland)

4.1/5  rDev +4.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Best Before 10/11/12

An old fav, this will always be 'The Terminator' to me.

Popping the cap this began with a surprising light fruity smell before the beautiful buffed banana nose began to hammer through. Really pretty appetizing as well as the smell become thicker and boozier in the glass.

Nice golden copper colour to the eye. Thin head but amazingly there's some nice beading which never quite lets it go totally bald. The body is so heavy, enveloping like an anchor or a one tonne blanket and the body, while cloying and thickly sappy,, makes you just want to dive into the whole glass.

Nice to see its largely as I remember it. What can I say?
Phased plasma rifle in the 40 watt range.

Serving type: bottle

01-13-2012 22:46:43 | More by Zimbo

mariposafan

Wisconsin

4.95/5  rDev +26.6%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Pours a bright reddish amber - almost exactly the same color as a bottle of amaretto to which I compared it. Virtually no head and what little there was goes quickly - not surprising given the 11% alcohol content but I'd still like to see a little more stick around.

The aroma is superb. Rich and sweet and caramelly but with a touch of brightness.

My new favorite tasting dopplebock. Not too sweet yet not overly roasty. The brightness from the aroma carries over to just a touch of bitterness which, coupled with the minimal alcohol flavor (at 11%??) cuts the sweetness without impinging.

The feel isn't as viscous as some dopplebocks but it has plenty of body. The carbonation is lightly prickly, doing its part to cut through the amazingly rich flavor while never intruding.

Move over Celebrator - you've just been replaced as my favorite dopplebock.

Serving type: bottle

12-18-2011 22:35:46 | More by mariposafan

Jimmys

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev +2.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: bright reddish copper. head is off-white with reddish tints. retention is good, but not great. this high of an abv, im not too surprised. no lacing.

S: a smooth, creamy caramel. a very tiny bit of heat. some fruitiness as well. plums, figs, and a sweet grape jelly. virtually no hop aroma.

T: really malty brew. very bready. toasty too, but mostly sweet. really fruity as well. apples and grape jam. no heat on this malt/fruit bomb. similar to the nose, cant find any bitterness/hop flavor.

M: moderate carbonation on a full body. smooth.

D: this has to be the biggest doppel i have had thus far. love how smooth this is on such a big body. makes it very drinkable. reminds me of an english barleywine without as much complexity. good beer worth grabbing.

Serving type: bottle

11-09-2011 03:14:20 | More by Jimmys

dtivp

West Virginia

3.98/5  rDev +1.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured a clear golden orange with a very thin white head that disappeared very quickly and very little lacing.

Aroma of sweet fruit, malt and a hint of spice.

Taste followed thew nose with sweet start of raisins, caramel malt and then slightly balanced with some spiciness and hops along with alcohol.

Mouth feel was medium body light carbonation, smooth, syrupy, very port like with a nice alcohol warming.

Over all this is a nice sipper to be enjoyed slowly. I had cellared this bottle for two years and I may save the last bottle I have for another year.

Serving type: bottle

10-03-2011 01:02:23 | More by dtivp

FeDUBBELFIST

Pennsylvania

4.05/5  rDev +3.6%
look: 3 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Sampled 2/28/11. 11.2oz bottle to oversized snifter. Thanks to berpwillie for leaving this one behind.

A: Pours with average 1 finger foamy head, straddling off-white and light brown in color, and showing decent retention. A lasting film and collar hang out even longer. The body is amber-orange with medium intensity and 90% transparency.

S & T: This beer is a flat out malt bomb - and at 11%, it's no surprise. Neither the aroma or flavor worked for me right away, but a few extra degrees REALLY opened this one up. Wood, oak, vanilla, with an aged whiskey-like sweetness, light smoke, tea leaves and a touch of menthol. Layers and layers create complexity. A confident amount of alcohol refuses to hide. After the initial metallic aftertaste went away, this beer really grew on me.

M: Full, thick body. Very sticky and with a pronounced alcoholic texture. The right amount of carbonation keeps the relatively clean.

D: Pleasantly surprised what EKU 28 turned into after coming to cellar temp. Doppelbocks aren't my favorite style, but I'd like to have this one again sometime.

Serving type: bottle

09-10-2011 11:19:06 | More by FeDUBBELFIST

ZenAgnostic

Texas

4.18/5  rDev +6.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

12oz bottle poured into a Trois Pistoles goblet. No stamped date.

Appearance - Medium amber clear body. One finger offwhite head with relatively low retention.

Smell - Banana. Malty. Sweet and peppery.

Taste - Alcoholic. Malty. Strong but not overpowering. The alcohol will get up in your sinuses though.

Mouthfeel - The creaminess of the body and the effervescence of a freshly poured head really go together well to give this a dynamic and highly enjoyable mouthfeel.

Overall Drinkability - I recommend giving half a bottle a high pour, then intermittedly pouring the rest as needed for head.

Serving type: bottle

09-02-2011 23:33:57 | More by ZenAgnostic

dsprainman

California

3.65/5  rDev -6.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Pours a medium amber, minimal head, zero lacing, very few bubbles. Smell is honey, malt, alcohol. Tastes like honey malt and alcohol as well. Being my first doppelbock, maybe EKU 28 was a little heavy to start with at 11%ABV. However it leaves behind a nice feeling in the throat of alcohol and honey after a sip. Call me crazy but this reminds me a little of Barenjager. Certainly interesting and out of the norm for me. Not a favorite, but worth a try.

Serving type: bottle

08-17-2011 20:36:18 | More by dsprainman

AmericanGothic

Iowa

4.2/5  rDev +7.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from a 12 oz bottle into a Sam Adams pint.

A: Pours a clear, honey orange color with thin, off-white head. Little retention or lace, pretty carbonation.

S: Sweet fruit and port, pretty promising.

T: Like the aroma, sweet fruits, port, a little floral bitterness. Complexity is low but flavors are true. Alcohol lends a touch of spiciness and heat on the finish. A bit underwhelming at first, but grows on you quickly.

M: Medium body, a little oil and syrup.

O: A tasty doppelbock. Flavors are true, though the color is a bit light. A persuasive beer. Will buy it again.

Serving type: bottle

08-09-2011 01:27:52 | More by AmericanGothic