"25" Anniversary Pale Doppelbock - Full Sail Brewery & Tasting Room & Pub

philbertk

Washington

3.1/5  rDev -17.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

70 IBU's. 22 oz. Bottle purchased for$6.99 + Tax at Ballard, Seattle Fred Meyer. Fizzy mild lace quarter inch off white head. Clear bright rich amber color. Mildly floral caramel malt mild Saaz hop front. Medium bodied rich caramel malt mid fruit ester rich smooth lager body. Subtle sweetness and hint of peppery hop resin. No sediment, but somewhat odd fruity mildly bitter mild EtOH heat end. Rich odd brew. Not a Full Sail Classic. (2.75 / 5.0).

Serving type: bottle

12-21-2012 21:06:07 | More by philbertk

jtierney89

New Jersey

4.65/5  rDev +23.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

This is an awesome doppelbock. Clear brassy hue with off white head. Very hop forward. Earthy woody hops through, big body with just enough carbonation. Nice solid malt foundation for the hops to rest on over your tongue. Lagered perfectly with no Fruity eaters. So clean with a snappy dry finish. And for the price? 4.99 awesome

One of the most bitter doppelbocks I've ever head

Serving type: bottle

12-21-2012 02:11:46 | More by jtierney89

MadScientist

New York

4.35/5  rDev +15.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A: This is a light copper lager with excellent clarity. The head is creamy,light tan and about a half a finger high.

S: Moderate noble hops having an earth and spice aroma with a moderate malt aroma. There is a nice toasty aroma from the malts otherwise a clean lagering without any esters or phenols. The alcohol is light and flowery.

T: Some malt sweetness with a moderately-strong malt flavor having some toast and light melanoidins. The hops bring a moderate bitterness and just let the malt dominate giving a balance that is slightly towards the malt. There is a light, earthy noble hops flavor. Even though this is a malt driven beer the sweetness is restrained and the finish is off-dry. There is a malty and toast aftertaste.

M: A medium-full bodied beer with moderate carbonation. The beer has a moderate creaminess that works well with the malt. The alcohol give some warming.

O: An outstanding beer that is malt driven with a good amount hops bitterness.

Serving type: bottle

12-17-2012 02:27:45 | More by MadScientist

beergoot

Colorado

3.6/5  rDev -4.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A decent amber-orange body with a one-finger head (white and creamy on top, fizzy and bubbly down below). Citrus-like aroma, lemon-orange like with a subtle spice background. Very malty taste with a strong alcohol component quickly overtaking things. Medium body, slightly fizzy, dry finish.

A nice try at a distinctive doppelbock, but a bit too much alcohol presence pounding the senses overall and taking away from a nice malt flavor. I saw another reviewer mentioned dropping the ABV down to about 7% to improve the overall brew: sounds reasonable to me. That, and smooth out the carbonation a bit and this would have been a more desirable beer. A bit of a disappointment, but still fair enough to give it a shot.

Serving type: bottle

12-14-2012 02:43:16 | More by beergoot

Greywulfken

New York

4/5  rDev +6.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: medium-to-deep amber body, slight finger of tan head; some lace motes. Never had a "pale" doppelbock before, but this is certainly a paler color than the typical doppelbock.

S: sweet, fruity, chewy malt aromas and hoppier hints of pines and citrus

T: the malt flavors were close to some American Strong Ales I've had (like Stone's Bastard series) merged with American IPA hop flavors (take any DIPA for example), whereas the admittedly few Doppelbocks I've had (Kuhnhenn's Heathen, Sam Adams' Imperial series Double Bock, and Samichlaus) presented a different flavor and feel. Crisp hops and hearty malts.

M: closer to American strong ales and DIPAs - hoppier, more bitter; medium weight, more carbonation than other dopplebocks (based on my experience). Chewy maltiness. Not slick like a Samichlaus (for example).

O: I'd wager that this is a "take" on the style rather than a representative of the style, and perhaps purists will not get what they're looking for in this beer? That said, I thought it a very satisfying drink - and not-for-nothing, at $5 for a bomber, a great value.

Serving type: bottle

12-11-2012 21:56:28 | More by Greywulfken

Gavage

New Jersey

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

Appearance: pours a dark orange amber color with a 2" head that falls to a nice surface foam that lasts. Moderate lace develops on the glass.

Smell: malt, bread, and caramel comes through to the nose.

Taste: big bready presence here. Caramel and some malt sweetness dominate. Some fruit sweetness and a mild bitterness arrives late. Alcohol is noticeable and provides some warming.

Mouthfeel: medium-heavy in body. Light crispness to start, smooth and velvety at the finish. Aftertaste is long lasting as the sweetness sticks to the tongue.

Overall: I think this beer was pretty good for a pale doppelbock, as the malt, caramel, and overall sweetness dominated as expected. Very enjoyable.

Serving type: bottle

12-07-2012 21:16:07 | More by Gavage

abcdefghijkyle

New Jersey

3.33/5  rDev -11.4%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Pours bronze, and leaves very little head or lacing. The smell is intensely stringent, the ABV won't be a surprise to you if you give this one a whiff before drinking it. The taste is definitely a step up from the smell. It's bready, boozy, and citrusy and it leaves a bitter aftertaste. Not dissimilar to the aftertaste of an IPA. The mouthfeel is medium-high carbonation. The taste hides the ABV pretty well actually. It's reasonably smooth, but definitely not a beer to session with.

Overall, I thought this was an interesting take on a doppelbock although I doubt I'd drink it again. I can't see myself choosing this one instead of a Spaten Optimator or a Ayinger Celebrator if I'm looking for a doppelbock.

Serving type: bottle

12-01-2012 00:31:15 | More by abcdefghijkyle

BeerLover99

New Jersey

3.9/5  rDev +3.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: copper body, big 2 finger head, excellent lacing

S: lemon, sweet biscuit bread

T: lemon, bready malt, mild bitter finish

M: med/heavy body, thick/smooth mouth

O: Very nice beer. Congrats to Full Sail.
Great to see another pale dopplebock.
ABV sneaks up on you, well done.

VERY GOOD, GIVE IT A TRY!

Serving type: bottle

11-27-2012 22:23:08 | More by BeerLover99

flagmantho

Washington

2.3/5  rDev -38.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 2 | feel: 4 | overall: 1

Poured from 22oz bomber into a dimpled mug.

Appearance: dark orange hue with a bit of haze to the body. Head is a thick finger of frothy light-tan foam with a hint of an orange cast. Actually, quite attractive.

Smell: kind of a sickly-sweet malt aroma with some caramel character and a general dankness. Not exactly my favorite, but possibly within style guidelines.

Taste: very biscuity malt flavor which is very sweet. There's some hop bitterness here as well, but the overall effect is, as in the aroma, sickly. I'm having kind of a hard time drinking it.

Mouthfeel: medium body with a good level of carbonation and creaminess. Mouthfeel is quite good, but the beer itself is just ... ugh.

Overall: this was a drain pour for me. This beer may not be bad for everyone, but it was at odds with my palate so dramatically that I could not stand more than a couple sips. Full Sail usually makes good stuff, but this beer is just too -- something. Uff da.

Serving type: bottle

11-18-2012 23:41:44 | More by flagmantho

corby112

Pennsylvania

3.65/5  rDev -2.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Pours a dark golden copper color with apricot colored edges and a one finger white foam head that quickly settles into a lasting ring. Streaks of spotty lacing left behind.

Slightly toasted sweet malt aroma with a delicate floral hop presence for balance. Hints of caramel, toffee, rye and biscuit countered by a grassy hop character and subtle dark fruit notes.

On the fuller end of medium bodied with a surprisingly hop forward flavor that's countered by sweet malt, bready yeast and dark fruit. Floral, grassy hops provide some dry bitterness that lingers but this is nicely countered by caramel malt, biscuit, toffee, hazelnut and toast. Well balanced with a well masked high ABV, making this beer very easy to drink. Pretty flavorful but a bit too hoppy for this style in my opinion.

Serving type: bottle

11-15-2012 08:18:32 | More by corby112

Reidrover

Oregon

4.03/5  rDev +7.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

22 oz bottle from "Habits" in S. Salem. $3.99 Amber coloured body with a large bubbly light tan head. Fine chocolaty,creamy, biscuity aromas very pleasant. Taste is similar to the aroma.milk chocolate and wheat..not much hop..nice stuff Nice smooth velvety palate. Very nice drink not sure what category but i liked it

Serving type: bottle

11-10-2012 17:33:35 | More by Reidrover

LiquidAmber

Washington

3.68/5  rDev -2.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Poured into a Celebrator pokal. Pours a medium red-orange amber with a fine half finger off-white head with great retention and lacing. Mild aroma of bready and biscuit malt with a hint of toasted malt. Flavor is caramel malt and somewhat astringent hops, finishing with bittering hops and an alcohol kick. The flavor is sweet and fairly intense, but unbalanced towards bitterness and booze. It seems odd, because there is clearly a nice malt backbone to this beer. Body is great, medium to heavy and creamy. An interesting take on a doppelbock that leans towards th boozy side. It has some nice characteristics and is obviously well made, but did not really come together for me.

Serving type: bottle

10-22-2012 03:34:01 | More by LiquidAmber

GilGarp

Colorado

3.68/5  rDev -2.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Bomber served cold in an imperial pint.

Redish amber color with good clarity and thick head.

Aroma is sweet and malty with orchard fruits.

Flavor is full and balanced, leaning towards the sweet end of the spectrum. Spicy and fruity.

Medium-full bodied and nicely carbonated.

Overall it's ok but not something I would buy again.

Serving type: bottle

10-21-2012 03:40:54 | More by GilGarp

twiggamortis420

Texas

3.2/5  rDev -14.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

22 oz bomber at a great price of $3.99. Pours a clear copper color with an ample tan head. Decent retention and thin lace.

Nose is biscuity malt with a green grape fruitiness, lots of alcohol notes unfortunately. The hops are pretty big (for a bock) in the typical maibock style, but the alcohol notes are a little too fusel and harsh for me.

The taste is better...the malts are full and sweet, biscuity with toffee. The hops are prevalent but not overboard. Mouthfeel is viscous, but does not feel like a heavy beer. I dont dislike it, but think surely Full Sail could have come up with something better than this for the big Two-Five! I think this is more akin to a maibock than a doppel, but could easily be placed in either category. I cant help but think this would be better at a couple ABV percentage points lower. Not bad, nice price tag and as such I might consider a re-purchase.

Serving type: bottle

10-11-2012 00:45:18 | More by twiggamortis420

ElCommodoro

Texas

2.58/5  rDev -31.4%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

This was a lot more on the pale lager side and not so much on the doppelbock side, sadly. It tasted like a fairly typical high-alcohol lager to me. Which is great except for the excessively high hop flavour. I thought if any pale lager would go easy on the hops it'd be one that calls itself a pale doppelbock. The only thing "doppelbock" about it was an oily consistency on the finish. I mean, there's maltiness for sure, but it's more of a "bock hiding under too many hops." There's nothing doppel about it. Well, high alcohol, I suppose. I can kind of see where they're coming from, but people who like bocks and doppelbocks are generally not fans of this kind of flamboyant hop use. I know I'm not.

Serving type: bottle

10-05-2012 03:52:39 | More by ElCommodoro

Docer

Washington

3.9/5  rDev +3.7%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Appearance: (3.0)

- Looks like a lightly carbonated Full Sail Amber Ale. Clear, clear ring of off-white foam in my Full Sail Pint Glass, and trace dusted foam which seems to sit, undisturbed. Overall not a bad look, but nothing pops. No thick rich head or creaminess in the look.

Smell: (3.5)

- Very light aromas.. not much in it, but I get the sense this is hiding its glory. Nice sweet malts, bready notes, and a crisp backing. Simple, yet smooth in aroma. Light brown sugars, caramel, and esters from the malt. Not bad.

Taste: (4.0)

- There it is. The flavor and profile shines through in the taste. I was kind of expecting that. Low alcohol flavors in a super smooth tasting sweet malt lager. Really nice esters, caramel, brown sugar, and an overall bready and grainy malt. This tastes super good, and dangerously smooth.

Mouth Feel: (4.5)

- This is a nicely carbonated brew, which seems to possibly be brewed with their house lager yeast? It's lightly creamy on the palate, and drinks extremely well. It's a touch chewy and cloying, but there is not any big dryness to it at all. The bitterness balances it and makes it a super drinkable beer.

Overall: (4.0)

- Doesn't look special, and really doesn't smell special. But when you drink this puppy, you know it is one to start with, and finish with because it is a super good work of art. Spot on style? Maybe not. Taste like a Full Sail beer? Bet many wouldn't guess it in a blind taste. Good beer? Really good, smooth, and tasty. I could down many of these, and if I downed more, I would get into a little trouble. Though price doesn't affect my score, this is a real treat for a really great price. Grab them up. Not one to age, but one to drink.

Serving type: bottle

09-27-2012 07:35:28 | More by Docer

JohnGalt1

Idaho

3.83/5  rDev +1.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Picked up tonight at the COOP ... Poured into my slim tulip... Decent enough light tan head... The brew is a clear polished deep orange... very pretty.

Nose is clean malt... little else... maybe some spicy hoppiness.. toasty malts... light caramel.. honey... a bit of a peppery hoppiness jumps out.

Too bitter for a doppelbock, but it is a "PNW" brew :-) nice smooth malt profile.. toasty ... biscuity... nicely done with the malts... It seems like the hops though were given a heavy hand.... still Continental in style, but heavy. Never sweet, just malty.

Body is about perfect for the style.. Carbonation is a lower side of medium... velvety with just the right amount of bubbles.

Pretty well done... I will buy it again... very clean albeit still too hoppy.

4/4/3.5/4.5/4

P.S. I thought about putting this one in the Maibock category, but judging the BA style guidelines and the BJCP website... this one should be under doppelbock.

Serving type: bottle

09-27-2012 04:00:00 | More by JohnGalt1