EKU 28 - Kulmbacher Brauerei AG

trevorwideman

Manitoba (Canada)

4.4/5  rDev +12.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

This was a random pick at the LC the other day. I had no idea what this was, but now that I know it's an Eisbock, I'm really excited! 500ML can poured into a snifter. I'll be honest, I have really no experience with this style, I'm eager to start.

Beautiful pour! Deep, almost blood-red colour. Bubbles stick to the glass, nice carbonation, little head that subsides quickly but then reminds me of a glass of brandy. The nose is just chock full of wonderful dark fruity flavour. Plums and caramel, bready with a hint of alcohol. I could just sit here and smell this beer for a long time and be happy....

Taste is unbelievably heady with sweet malts, cherry, caramel, pleasantly alcoholic. Normally this might be a bit sweet for me, but the flavours feel so well balanced I can overlook that. Feels so heavy and thick in the mouth, creamy but not soft, great carbonation. If this wasn't so high in ABV, I could drink a few of these tonight. This is one classy beer, and if this is indicative of the style, bring more of these on!

Serving type: can

01-04-2006 03:50:04 | More by trevorwideman

Timbru

France

4.5/5  rDev +15.1%

05-18-2013 13:06:42 | More by Timbru

Jade

Ohio

3.25/5  rDev -16.9%

05-16-2013 01:50:39 | More by Jade

campfirebrew

New York

3.5/5  rDev -10.5%

04-04-2013 17:45:25 | More by campfirebrew

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

lccrunchy

Pennsylvania

4.5/5  rDev +15.1%

03-17-2013 23:56:42 | More by lccrunchy

MarvinSnyder

West Virginia

4.25/5  rDev +8.7%

03-16-2013 16:54:01 | More by MarvinSnyder

PEIhop

Massachusetts

4.75/5  rDev +21.5%

03-14-2013 02:42:37 | More by PEIhop

Duvel

North Carolina

4.25/5  rDev +8.7%

03-09-2013 16:24:53 | More by Duvel

Bouleboubier

Pennsylvania

4.5/5  rDev +15.1%

03-07-2013 05:15:38 | More by Bouleboubier

Mikecap

Rhode Island

4.5/5  rDev +15.1%

03-03-2013 19:39:17 | More by Mikecap

JackRB

Ohio

4.75/5  rDev +21.5%

03-01-2013 23:50:22 | More by JackRB

KingSlayer

Mexico

3.25/5  rDev -16.9%

03-01-2013 05:47:38 | More by KingSlayer

zoinks

Texas

3.75/5  rDev -4.1%

02-19-2013 05:57:42 | More by zoinks

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

Tjvan2

Iowa

3.75/5  rDev -4.1%

02-14-2013 02:43:00 | More by Tjvan2

Cavanut

2/5  rDev -48.8%

02-12-2013 02:41:49 | More by Cavanut

VariableStar

New York

4.75/5  rDev +21.5%

02-09-2013 00:36:01 | More by VariableStar

Chris77McGrath

Ohio

3.5/5  rDev -10.5%

02-08-2013 19:57:58 | More by Chris77McGrath

sendbeer

Georgia

4/5  rDev +2.3%

02-07-2013 18:25:28 | More by sendbeer

hinemk76

Pennsylvania

3.5/5  rDev -10.5%

02-07-2013 03:44:01 | More by hinemk76

daringraider

4.5/5  rDev +15.1%

02-05-2013 02:11:17 | More by daringraider

Tinkerm

5/5  rDev +27.9%

02-04-2013 23:06:15 | More by Tinkerm

KJH1958

Massachusetts

4.75/5  rDev +21.5%

02-03-2013 23:58:33 | More by KJH1958

jopezu

Georgia

4/5  rDev +2.3%

02-02-2013 20:27:54 | More by jopezu