Smoked Goosinator Doppelbock - Left Hand Brewing Company

BeerAdvocate

Massachusetts

4/5  rDev +3.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Beer review from BA Mag Dec 2007.

When in doubt, smoke it. Smoked beer is gaining popularity and with extreme beer not losing ground, Left Hand smoked this German-style Doppelbock.

Semi-clear tawny brew glows in the light, the head drops a good amount of lacing all the way down the glass. Soft but prominent smoky nose with a substantial dry malt character and faint whiff of alcohol in the aroma. Full jacket of malt, on the dry side, but layers of malt unfold with each sip and more so as the brew warms up a tad. Clean lager palate. Toasted grain with a hint of caramel is the base, the even-keeled smoke flavor sticks to the palate but is never enough to trump the malt. Hops are light but some bitterness comes through in the middle. Alcohol is clean and somewhat deceiving. Finishes with a long, faded smoke and toasted grain flavor.

Smoked beer is an acquired taste, you may say it is a love it or hate it character. All we have to say is thank you very much for such an exceptional beer.

Serving type: bottle

08-01-2010 14:00:59 | More by BeerAdvocate

GRG1313

California

4/5  rDev +3.4%

05-23-2013 05:47:33 | More by GRG1313

stereosforgeeks

Virginia

3.75/5  rDev -3.1%

12-17-2012 16:49:48 | More by stereosforgeeks

t0rin0

California

4/5  rDev +3.4%

10-21-2012 12:12:10 | More by t0rin0

WastingFreetime

Wisconsin

3.85/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Transcribed from old session notes.

AGED REVIEW
This one has been lost in the back of the basement cellar for four years.

Surprisingly, it's still quite drinkable, and even maintains a vigorous smokey bacon presence in both the aroma and flavor after all this time. At this time the balance between malt sweetness and smokey presence reminds me of some of my favorite BBQ sauces, and there is certainly nothing undesirable about that. Also, it seems less salty than most other smoked beers that I have had. The malts are only partially oxidized, I estimate about a 3 out of every 10 'parts' ratio blend of cardboard to caramel, certainly nowhere near bad enough to be drainpoured. Oh yes, and it's gone dead flat, but I can't really blame it for that. It does still have a lovely hazed amber color to it, but the carbonation has been completely shot by the accidental over-cellaring. Texturally, it suffers from the loss of carbonation, it has become rather stodgy and sluggish on the tongue...but not so bad that I would dare to label it as 'syrupy' quite yet.

So, this beer seems to deserve (IMO) to join the Alaskan Smoked Porter in that small category of "exceptions to the rule against cellaring smoked beers". Even though I accidentally overdid it... It held up unusually well over time.

Serving type: bottle

07-21-2012 20:10:29 | More by WastingFreetime

indymedic

4.08/5  rDev +5.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Smell Pretty smokey but with some chocolate and fruity aromas mixed in.

Look This beer is dark carmel in color transparent in the light. light cream colored head with very little lacing.

Taste Definitely a lot of smoked malts in this brew. very smokey at first with hints of vanilla in the back of the mouth. A little bit of an alcohol taste with everything but not overwhelming.

Mouthfeel just the right amount of carbonation a good dark lager but pretty light and smooth

Overall Great beer. I had the regular Goosinator previously and this is a very good variation. I would buy this again.

Serving type: bottle

05-23-2012 00:16:08 | More by indymedic

ncstateplaya

North Carolina

3.5/5  rDev -9.6%

05-10-2012 15:26:59 | More by ncstateplaya

Magery

Kentucky

3.75/5  rDev -3.1%

05-03-2012 00:33:14 | More by Magery

DrGonzoDDS

Illinois

5/5  rDev +29.2%

03-17-2012 23:01:19 | More by DrGonzoDDS

tripledbrew

Kentucky

3.75/5  rDev -3.1%

02-28-2012 03:48:15 | More by tripledbrew

imperialking

Illinois

3.5/5  rDev -9.6%

01-23-2012 16:26:53 | More by imperialking

dumptruck81

Texas

4.5/5  rDev +16.3%

01-20-2012 01:13:00 | More by dumptruck81

womencantsail

California

3.68/5  rDev -4.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Bottle from 2007 thanks to Jeff.

The pour is a dark amber color with a finger or so of khaki colored head. There's a pleasant smokiness to the aroma, almost like smoked almonds. A touch of sweet toffee malt, maybe some a hint of chocolate. Toasted malt is also present. Tastes decently smokey, but there is a really nice sweetness and nuttiness to it. A little bit of salt in the background. Medium body with medium carbonation.

Serving type: bottle

01-08-2012 09:30:45 | More by womencantsail

jophish17

Georgia

3.5/5  rDev -9.6%

12-23-2011 23:52:51 | More by jophish17

Lordsloth

Wisconsin

4/5  rDev +3.4%

12-22-2011 22:32:04 | More by Lordsloth

deapokid

Pennsylvania

2.5/5  rDev -35.4%

12-03-2011 18:57:02 | More by deapokid

Merkur

Tennessee

5/5  rDev +29.2%

11-19-2011 15:42:06 | More by Merkur

crossovert

Wisconsin

3.68/5  rDev -4.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

2007 vintage, expensive bottle. When I bought it I didn't feel I was buying a doppelbock.

It pours a deep brownish plum with a fizzy off-white head that produces a bit of lacing.

The smell is smoky with a bit of a floral bouquet. There is also some cocoa and malt sweetness.

The flavor is sweeter than expected. It has a nuttiness to it that goes pretty nice with the campfire smoke flavor.

It is a nice smoked doppelbock, a bit sweet and alcoholic, but nice. Not the best one I have had but it is solid. Probably not worth the price tag however.

Serving type: bottle

01-04-2011 01:10:57 | More by crossovert

Mora2000

Texas

4/5  rDev +3.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Thanks to blutt59 for sharing this bottle. Bob can always be counted on to bring the smoke. 2007 vintage.

The beer pours a hazy brown color with a white head. The aroma is great. I get a lot of ashy notes, but there is also a nice malt backbone behind the smoke. I get some toffee, caramel and some brown sugar. The flavor is heavy on the smoke. There is also some a nice amount of malt as well as some sugary sweetness. A very nice beer because you can get the doppelbock notes as well as the smoked notes. The smoke is dominant, but the malty sweetness is also a big player. Medium mouthfeel and medium carbonation.

Serving type: bottle

12-31-2010 21:07:25 | More by Mora2000

nerdrocker101

Georgia

3.8/5  rDev -1.8%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

2007 vintage

Appearance: a clear brownish orange with with a slim off white head that quickly disspates to a thin bubbly layer

Aroma: an amazing smoke profile, almost like a campfire

Taste: somewhat salty flavor mixing with some caramel and light smoke

Mouthfeel: medium body, moderate carbonation and a lightly dry finish

Drinkability: I like this beer for the some reason I like kettle corn. A well rounded mix of sweet and salty.

Serving type: bottle

09-21-2010 18:47:41 | More by nerdrocker101

Schmittymack

Colorado

3.75/5  rDev -3.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

From tasting on 13 Aug 10. Poured a copper/brownish color with decent head. Picked up some caramel with a slight hop bitterness and a whole lotta smoke; I thought it was great/unique for the evening. Don't think I could do/want a bomber of this by myself but to share it or maybe do one pint would be fine by me. If you like smoked brews and can still find this, give it a shot.

Serving type: bottle

08-16-2010 10:17:40 | More by Schmittymack

emmasdad

Colorado

3.38/5  rDev -12.7%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Another one from Friday night. 2007 was apparently the only year this one was smoked. Poured a nice copper color, with a little head. Although I got a little caramel, and a little hops, on both the aroma and the palate, I mostly get smoke: sweet, minerally, overpowering smoke, but not necessarily in a bad way. Good, but wouldnt want a lot of this one.

Serving type: bottle

08-16-2010 00:23:19 | More by emmasdad

Phyl21ca

Quebec (Canada)

4/5  rDev +3.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Bottle: Poured a clear deep amber color ale with a huge foamy head with good retention and some lacing. Aroma of of sweet malt with a side of toffee and light lingering finish of smoke malt. Taste is also very interesting with a well balanced mix between some smoked malt with some toffee and caramel malt. Body is full with great carbonation and no apparent alcohol. I very much appreciated the balance between smoke and caramel and toffee malt.

Serving type: bottle

09-14-2009 02:02:53 | More by Phyl21ca

BirdFlu

New Jersey

3.78/5  rDev -2.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Rating of a 2007 bottle - pour is surprisingly light. It's not a light color, but you would just expect it to be darker. Smell is sort of your typical doppelbock. The smoke is only slightly there. This carries thru to the flavor as well, what's expected to be some sort of malty smoke bomb only has a slight essence of any smoke (maybe because of the approx 2 years aging?). This is a welcome character because I often find smoke to be way too overpowering and bullying out the other flavors. Other than that you've got a malty beer, the raisiny/fig flavor isn't too sweet. Mouthfeel is full-bodied, sort of your typical bock. Easy to drink, doesn't get too heavy and you could easily drink the entire bottle on your own. Not the most exciting or delicious beer but still good.

Serving type: bottle

06-28-2009 05:34:58 | More by BirdFlu

GClarkage

California

4/5  rDev +3.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

06/07/09- Purchased at Sun Devil Liquors in Mesa, AZ and shared at a recent tasting.

Presentation- 2008 release, both caged and corked. Poured into my Orval chalice.

Appearance- Dark brown colored pour with a light brown off white tint to the 1/2 inch head. Left some light lace markings.

Smell- Lots of smoke...aged roasted salty meat aroma with some chocolate malt buried beneath.

Taste- Very smokey. Tasted like burnt bacon with liquid smoke poured over it. There is some chocolate notes and even a very slight hop presence. Mostly a salted smoked meat flavor.

Mouthfeel- Lower carbonation level. Smooth and salty aftertaste.

Drinkability- I really despise smoked beers....as I did this one...but I can detect a good smoked beer when I rarely have one. The more I hate it, usually the better it is I am told...thus the higher rating. I can see how this would go good with a BBQ dinner though.

Serving type: bottle

06-15-2009 16:21:49 | More by GClarkage