Thomas Hooker Liberator Doppelbock - Thomas Hooker Brewing Company

northyorksammy

Ontario (Canada)

3.9/5  rDev -8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Side-by-side reviews of the 2004 and 2005, thanks to Casey (DYCSoccer17) sharing. I liked the 2005 better, and its qualities may be entirely attruibuted to freshness, bolder flavour,bitterness, tabacco, cocoa creaminess, bigger head. A joy. The 2004 was more of a malt experience, with generous chocolate malts and a barleywine taste, little hops, slightly oxidized which others may enjoy. My rating is based on the higher 2005.

Serving type: bottle

07-05-2005 02:26:09 | More by northyorksammy

BuckeyeNation

Iowa

4.78/5  rDev +12.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

I wanted my 500th review to be something special and have chosen Liberator Doppelbock for the honor. This large, swing-top bottle certainly looks the part and I'm hoping that the bottle's contents will provide an unforgettable experience. Doppelbock isn't among my favorite styles, but dozens upon dozens of knowledgeable BAs can't be wrong, can they? Thanks in advance to wyllder for answering my plea.

Glossy sorrel suffused with crimson (like a thoroughbred's coat) with brownish amber accents at the margins, topped by a head of sturdy, light brown foam that displays unnatural persistence and eventually leaves gobs of viscid, abstract lace and one thick, chunky ring at midglass.

Gently malty nose of pumpernickel toast, cocoa, dark fruits and (surprisingly) hops. It isn't aroma-intensive, but it more than suffices. Whoa! I do believe Liberator will more than live up to the hype. The flavor intensity is exponentially greater than the nose would suggest. The beer is a concentrated, complex symphony of melted bittersweet chocolate, smoke, sticky dates, cinnamon and citric hops.

There's a lot going on within this toothsome nectar, all of it good. There's also a vinous quality, more along the lines of tawny port than anything else; a rich, decadent, earthy alcohol presence that warms the body and encourages contemplation, preferably in front of a roaring fire. Every bit of the 8% ABV is noticed, but I wouldn't change a thing, it's absolutely perfect.

The body/mouthfeel is ample, lightly creamy and lucious without a trace of heaviness. Sweet without being cloying, it finishes with a slightly slick feel that keeps the flavor in contact with the taste buds so that mere memory will not be taxed with too heavy a burden. If only I could keep this flavor in my memory once the bottle's contents have met their glorious end. I doubt that many bottles will be in my future unless I make a concerted effort to avoid that regrettable fate. And I just might.

This is a special beer. It's everything that I love about beer to the 'nth' degree. Doppelbocks may not have a place in this hophead's heart, but Liberator most certainly does. One of the great ones.

Serving type: bottle

10-25-2004 20:19:44 | More by BuckeyeNation

mikesgroove

South Carolina

4.28/5  rDev +0.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A very nice 2005 vintage one liter, flip top bottle, that was served at cellar temperature and pour into various tasting glasses and finished off in a very nice pint glass.

A - Poured a very nice and very dark hazelnut colored brown. Lots of hints of reddish colored hues throughout the glass, and especially around the sides and bottom. I poured it very vigorously, purposely trying to get the biggest head out of it that I could. I was able to get a nice tan colored foam pillow on the top that rose maybe an inch and a half over the top before settling down to just a half inch layer that stuck around throughout the entire session. Some nice side glass lace that hung around for a little while, though by the time you were finished, the entire glass was pretty much clean, save for a bit of foamy lace left on the bottom of the glass. Very nice carbonation could be seen rippling up from the bottom. Big chains of bubbles not only streaking to the top, but also clinging to the sides of the glass.

S - The aroma was extremely pleasing, and very thick even from the first pour to the last room temperature smell. Deep roasted malts were commonplace here, with tons of sugary notes residing inside of them. There was a huge malt bill here, something that I was expecting just not to this degree. It is always a wonder when I get something in a vintage of a few years or so, which I never got to try fresh, it always makes me wonder what the fresh one was like, but that is for another day and the next time I am able to travel up to the northeast to get this one tap. The first thing I noticed was a very nice presence of caramel and earthy grains. These came across huge and noticeable right out of the gate. Really big with hints of smoky tones blended in as well. There was really quite the notable hint of alcohol which, to be honest, surprised me a bit as it was only 8% and I would have thought it mellowed past that after a few years, but it was there, muted but there and actually served to really thicken up the profile. Lots of nuttiness coming through now, the sweetness still there, but really being blended out now. Really very big and complex aroma, very nice and strong.

T - Now, keep in mind I have waited a long time to try this. I received the bottle over a year ago, and cellared it since, keeping it at ideal temperature with no light. I wanted to wait for the perfect time to try it, but that just never comes, so I just decided when the mood strikes I am going to go for it, well last night I just felt like it. Anyway, after the great show put on by both the look and aroma, I had high hopes for the flavor, and let me tell you, I was not disappointed in the least. A rich nutty caramel wave came crashing through my mouth upon the first taste. Really rich and smooth, it really just kind of sat there letting you absorb all of these rich flavors that just, well were wonderful. As I said the flavor of a rich roasted nuttiness was very well pronounced here and left me really looking for more, lots of caramel and earthy grain like flavors then coming in behind it, deepen the profile and adding a good bit of backbone to it. Slight alcohol warming, though only very slight, as this was just too flavorful to let that dominate. There was a touch of smoke coming through now, not a lot, but it was there, really giving it a bit of a punch. No real bitterness in here that I found, infact, quite the opposite, nice and sweet and grainy. The finish was quick, nothing really dragging on for too long, but not crisp or clean; a smooth drawn out sugary close was to be expected. I thought the flavors on this one were wonderful, really a treat and this was definitely living up to the hype for me.

M - This was one of the smoothest things I have ever drunk; I mean such subtle tones, such a rich flavor. The pour was not very active, but this one was far from dull or flat. There was a small, delicate amount of carbonation present, evident at first from the bubbles stuck to the glass, but it was nowhere near that carbonated when it was drank, more of a light silky smoothness that overtook it and really helped he flavors pop, while keeping it alive throughout the session.

D - Now this was absolutely superb along these lines. I could have easily kept going on it. Now keep in mind, it was enjoyed over the course of several hours, but still, it was completely drinkable and really just fantastic. Rich flavors, easy smooth profile, and a rich texture, not to mention well blended, but not hidden alcohol. I could go on this was great.

Overall I was happy to see that this one lived up to the hype. It was wonderfully rich, filling and just fantastic. I have no idea what the age did to it, but if it was detrimental, I would love to see what this could do fresh! Really a very high quality brew, and for the style one of the best, if not the best I have had. Definitely tops in terms of smoothness for sure. I f you can get it, seek it out, you need to try this one.

Serving type: bottle

02-12-2008 11:25:49 | More by mikesgroove

womencantsail

California

4.2/5  rDev -0.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

500ml swingtop courtesy of Joe!

A: The beer is a nice dark mahogany color with lots of red highlights to go with the brown. The head is somewhat mild and light tan in color.

S: A really nice mix of sweet caramel malts and brown sugar along with a touch of chocolate and some dark fruits--namely cherries.

T: Pretty much what you would expect from the nose, though it seems to be almost cola-like with the mix of chocolate, cherries, and sugar. A nice sweet malt and sugar flavor and a surprisingly amount of bitterness to balance things out.

M: A fairly full bodied beer for a lager. The carbonation is crisp and medium in terms of the amount of it.

D: A really nice beer and one that I've been looking forward to try for quite awhile. Quite a lot of complexity and just enjoyable overall.

Serving type: bottle

04-14-2010 21:48:49 | More by womencantsail

Thorpe429

Illinois

4.47/5  rDev +5.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

New 12oz. capped bottles. Picked up in Bloomfield, CT on Friday Feb. 26, 2010 on our way to KTG 2010.

A: Pours a very, very dark roasted brown with a nice tan head that leaves a fair amount of legs as it goes down.

S: Some very nice roasted malt and chocolate characteristics. A bit of roasted cocoa. A little bit of cherry and dark fruit. Quite complex.

T: Very nice chocolate and roast back and forth. A tiny bit of coffee flavor also makes its way in here. A bit of woodiness, even without any barrel aging.

M: Medium mouthfeel with good carbonation. A tad bit dry, which gives it a nice effect.

D: Very drinkable. Fairly complex, yet nothing is too overpowering. Overall, a nice balance that keeps me coming back. Very good I got to pick up quite a few of these.

Serving type: bottle

03-04-2010 00:59:47 | More by Thorpe429

ChainGangGuy

Georgia

4.43/5  rDev +4.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

12 ounce bottle - $2.79 at Hop City in Atlanta, Georgia.

Appearance: Pours a dark brown-hued body with a frothy, off-white head.

Smell: Roasty, toasty nose with notes of coffee, chocolate, powdered toast, burnt nuts, dried, bitterish herbs, dark fruits, and a few stray drops of dark rum.

Taste: Toasted bread crusts sweetened with crushed toffee bits and yielding a roasted grain quality hinting at freshly-roasted coffee beans sprinkled with chocolate powder. Some cracked nuts. Subtle date-like dark fruitiness. Spicy, herbaceous Continental hops with a little bit of imparted bitterness. Light smokiness from a puff of cherry-flavored aromatic tobacco. Small hint of licorice. Lightly lingering roast on the bittersweet finish.

Mouthfeel: Medium-plus body. Medium carbonation. Amply smooth mouthfeel.

Drinkability: In the past, I have had issues with the Thomas Hooker flip-top bottles. A few flat bottles, a few infected bottles, and plenty of money down the drain left me nothing but ill will towards the brewery. So, it's nice that this revisit years later was a return to a mighty tasty doppelbock.

Serving type: bottle

12-29-2010 22:19:38 | More by ChainGangGuy

brentk56

North Carolina

4.43/5  rDev +4.5%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Appearance: Opens with a demonstrative pop and pours a mahogany color with garnet highlights and a nice head that sticks like a Sergeant, leaving sheets of lace

Smell: Dark fruit, molasses and undertones of dark chocolate and alcohol; somewhat restrained, however

Taste: Starts with an impressive blast of dark fruit (prunes and raisins); after the swallow, the bitter chocolate element makes its way to the front, balancing out the sweet flavors moreso than in many of the great German examples of the style

Mouthfeel: Full bodied with moderate carbonation; warming alcohol, too

Drinkability: Tremendous example of the style with a slight nod to the Americans on the hop side

Serving type: bottle

12-02-2006 22:51:25 | More by brentk56

Phyl21ca

Quebec (Canada)

3.4/5  rDev -19.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Bottle: Poured a clear dark brown color beer with a huge brown foamy head with perfect retention. Aroma of roasted malt with some butterscotch. The roasted caramel malt with subtle hints of banana also dominates taste. Body is above average but could have been fuller and carbonation was at the right level for the style. Alcohol is well hidden. Overall, this is a very good beer but would have appreciated a bit more complexity (more chocolate, more banana).

Serving type: bottle

01-09-2006 15:28:36 | More by Phyl21ca

BEERchitect

Kentucky

4.43/5  rDev +4.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

This insanely malty Dopplebock takes the melanoidins, fruits, deeply caramelized malts to the brink of the style.

Pouring a clear, but very dark brown color with garnet highlights, the beer's initial froath reduces to a lace along the edges then holds firm. No real lacing, as most Dopplebocks don't underneath the alcohols.

Deep caramel aroma takes on molassas and heavy toast. A robust toffee note wraps around fruits of figs, dates, plumbs, and raisons for a rich rum soaked fruitcake scent with hints of peanut brittle and cocoa here and there.

Flavors begin where the aroma takes off, extending the burnt caramels, rum-soaked fruits, and walnut deep into the finish. Flashbacks of Sam Adams Triple Bock come to mind with the heavy toast, burnt cocoa, and light soy sauces.

The body is quite malty but quivers a bit because of the immense alcohols. Becomming fusal at mid palate and never lets up for a dry, numbing and prickle finish. Never overly sweet but malty and bready throughout.

A tremendous flavor and aroma that rivals many Scottish Wee Heavies. Complex and robust as hell with great balance and intrigue. If only the alcohols could be reeled in a bit or tempered to a great degree.

Thanks Conneticutpoet!

Serving type: bottle

09-10-2009 03:41:56 | More by BEERchitect

oberon

North Carolina

4.5/5  rDev +6.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured a deep mahogany with sticky 1/2 finger off white head atop,aromas of dark fruit and molasses,a little alcohol is present as well,just very rich and inviting.Flavors start off with the dark fruit notes dipped in alcohol,deep molasses flavors really take over but never get to sweet,the alcohol is always there but never to much so.I finally got to try this beer and I was not dissapointed,worthy of high marks.

Serving type: bottle

12-02-2012 22:52:48 | More by oberon

NeroFiddled

Pennsylvania

4.28/5  rDev +0.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

The Thomas Hooker Liberator pours a beautiful deep mahogany with glowing orange highlights at the base of the glass, and a creamy yellowed-paper head atop. The retention is good, and it holds fairly well considering its strength, but eventually drops to a thin collar. The lacing is somewhat limited, but that's common for the style. The nose offers a combination of fruit; caramelish and delicately nutty malts; and a hint of alcohol. In the mouth it's crisp, medium-bodied, and fine-bubbled. The flavor is very much as the aroma suggests, with caramelish malt that suggests some chocolate and a hint of roastiness along with a mild fruitiness (that combines dark and very red fruits) and a judicious amount of alcohol. The bitterness is balancing, and and it finishes dry with a light wash of drying alcohol and some lingering toasty and very subtly smoky/roasty malt.

Serving type: bottle

09-06-2005 22:23:09 | More by NeroFiddled

TMoney2591

Illinois

4.18/5  rDev -1.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Served in an Ayinger Celebrator doppelbock glass.

Big thanks to my New England trading partners for this guy (I think I got one from a couple people and don't remember which came from where)!

The Leaving Falls Church uber-bender rolls on. This entry pours a translucent (if not clear) garnet brown topped by a healthy helping of tan foam. The nose comprises figs, dark wheat, cinnamon, nutmeg, raisins, brown sugar, molasses, maple syrup, plums, and cinnamon bubble gum (think Dentyne with flavor crystals). Damn, this thing smells kinda like a quad, only ... browner. The taste is a bit lighter than the smell, with more fruity notes and a heavier dose of baked oatmeal cookies. Beyond that, the elements of the nose all return. This is pretty dern tasty, baby! The body is a firm medium, with a light moderate carbonation and a ridiculously smooth feel. I gotta say, this is one of the best doppelbocks I've yet had. Get some!

Serving type: bottle

08-26-2010 07:35:52 | More by TMoney2591

feloniousmonk

Minnesota

4.63/5  rDev +9.2%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Appearance is terminaly opaque, fully black, much more impressive than your everyday doppelbock, with a large, lush head, with resilient, creamy froth, very appealing, setting standards high from this auspicious image.
Aroma is fresh, full of yeast, malt, doughy, even, cookie-dough, can we say? Bread, ginger, and other spices, but still light, airy, creamy, very eggnoggy, and very, very nice.
Taste is complex and delicious, a wonderful blend, with an excellent presence in the mouth, a masterful marriage of beery parts, perfectly blended, nothing lacks or wants, nothing weighs heavy, either.
Chocolate and dark fruit dominate the palate, with palpable malt on the mouthfeel, a sturdy, even tenacious presence occurs on the tongue and parts of the senses. Starts to feel a touch like brandy, even port wine, with nutty, cocoa flavors never far behind, getting even a bit candyish, with a hint of licorice.
I've had several dopelbocks in my day,each a bit of it's own, some good, some great, and I even had the Andescher before this sample, and you know what? I have to say, TH knocks the socks off the competition, anyway, anywhere, anyhow! It's just got so much more, and then some! Best doppelbock I've ever had, when all is told, just a great sum of it's parts!

Huge cheers to sulldaddy for the bottle, almost too much for me to handle on my lonesome!

Serving type: bottle

05-13-2004 08:05:20 | More by feloniousmonk

WesWes

New York

4.28/5  rDev +0.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

The beer pours a deep, dark brown color with a thick frothy tan head that slowly fades to lacing. The aroma is good. It has a rich, malty scent that boasts of dark roasted malts and a dry lager yeast aroma. The taste is great. It has a very smooth roasted and black malt flavor that is rich, yet easy drinking. It goes down with ease and finishes warm with some residual sweetness and a bit of dryness at the end. This is a very good beer. The mouthfeel is fine. It is a full bodied beer with adequate carbonation. This is just another outstanding beer from Hooker. It's solid and well brewed; a fine drinker.

Serving type: bottle

07-05-2007 00:16:52 | More by WesWes

drabmuh

Maryland

4.53/5  rDev +6.8%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Bottle dated my birthday 02/25/2010. Fun. Poured into a Celebrator bock glass (close enough). Beer is brown but really dark red, forms a thin off white / brown head of medium and small bubbles. Carbonation is moderate and steady. Beer is clear at the corners and in the right light gives a red sheen. Looks AWESOME.

Aroma is sweet, almost lactic in a sense and has some roast at the end. Smooth and balanced. Could use slightly more caramel or a little more of the roast character. Still smells good.

Beer is sweet and has a nice caramel roast that comes up in the back palate. Well balanced and great palate connectivity. Second taste, good carbonation in the palate makes the beer so silky smooth. This is a wonderful doppelbock. There is a slight aftertaste but its not really unpleasant. Drinkability high.

Serving type: bottle

04-07-2010 03:37:04 | More by drabmuh

MasterSki

Illinois

4.1/5  rDev -3.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 5 | overall: 4

Got this in a trade with Dave (d0b) last October - hope it's still good, as I'm nervous about all things swing-top. Nice hiss when I popped it. Served in a pilsener glass.

A - Nice three fingers of tan foam with excellent retention but not much in the way of lacing - leaves a solid cap though. Murky raisin-brown brew with a few streams of tiny bubbles visible at the fringes.

S - Typical lager twang, roastiness, raisin, dark fruits, caramel, chocolate - almost like a stout but with lager yeast. There's also some alcohol present. It sweetens quite a bit as it warms up - so don't drink this one cold, otherwise you'll be missing out on quite a bit of depth.

T - Bitter roastiness, bread, a touch of caramel, vanilla, and semisweet chocolate. The fruitiness isn't very apparent in the flavor. Again, improves quite a bit when it warms up. The aftertaste is mild roasty bitterness. Alcohol is better hidden in the taste. There's also a slight sourness that might be the harbinger of infection - I don't recommend cellaring this past a year, and one should probably tape the crap out of the swing-top.

M - Smooth and velvety, creamy, mild carbonation, tons of residual stickiness. It's probably the best attribute of this brew.

D - It feels like an 8% brew, and the 500ml bottle size ensures this is a one and out. Otherwise it has most of the qualities I look for in drinkability - mild aftertaste and carbonation. It's an excellent American take on the doppelbock style, but isn't quite on par with Andechser or Ayinger.

Serving type: bottle

05-25-2009 20:00:46 | More by MasterSki

Gueuzedude

Arizona

4.72/5  rDev +11.3%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

2004 Bottle Date, Sampled December 2004.
Well Santa delivered this 1 liter bottle of liquid bread, that I have been wanting to try for quite some time. This beer pours an opaque dark amber-brown color. The head is thick and creamy, whipped to an almost mousse like consistency. As I pour the richest, most enticing, malty aromas emanate from my glass. It smells malty sweet, with notes of fresh honey baked biscuits, a hint of molasses, almost a subtle spicy quality reminiscent of a dark cake flavored with molasses, concentrated caramel, and hardly a hint of alcohol is found in the nose.

My first sip, notes a satisfying rich, but not too thick body, that is richly sweet, and has notes of chocolate, and a hint of espresso-like roastiness in the finish. It is well carbonated, and the chocolate & subtle roast notes really combine quite well, don't get me wrong though this is not roasty like a stout or porter, but it has a nice level of bonus roastiness that is not usually found in a Doppelbock. It really adds another dimension on top of the full malty flavors that this beer, and all good Doppelbocks, are redolent of.

I must admit that upon first sip of this beer that I was expecting it to have a fuller, more dense body to it, I have now come to the conclusion that this beer is perfectly situated with the proper heft. The palate is full and creamy, and not so heavy that I will not be able to slowly consume this bottle over the course of my evening. This beer certainly lives up to the monks, oft cited, yet increasingly ignored plan, to create a beer, nah, I mean a liquid bread that will fortify a fasting brother through lent. Yet I cant help but wonder that if I were a monk if I would not feel like this was too easy, it is almost too easy, and satiating, to have a beer such as this to sup on during a period of supposed fasting.

This beer is really smooth and flavorful, it packs a immense amount of malt complexity in each sip, I get notes of caramel, just browned whole wheat toast, a hint of molasses, and sorghum. As it warms up a bit a subtle fruitiness starts to manifest itself, it is funny to me that rich lagers show hints of fruit, which is supposed to be the dominion of the top-dwelling ales, but the concentrated malts in this beer lend it to subtle, yet concentrated fruity notes reminiscent of cherries, figs, quince paste, perhaps a hint of apple butter, and perhaps a bit of dried date as well. I would have to say that, while subtle, the cherry notes are the most dominant fruity notes. And, as the aroma suggested, there are rich notes of dark spice cake here as well.

Even the aroma starts to pick up fruity notes over time, though in this case the dominant notes are a mix of dried fig and dates. What a kick ass beer, I have only finished one glass of the three that I am going to get out of this beer and it has inspired me to pontificate profusely, and certainly quite a bit more than my standard brew review. That in itself should let the reader know that this is a beer worth contemplating, especially on this unusually cold (for a Tucson) night. I am definitely exited and perhaps even giddy (or is that the fact that I have not slept in 36 hours) that I am about to continue my contemplative journey with the middle glass of the three that I am going to enjoy this evening.

My one meager complaint in this absolutely wonderfully malty, malt-lover's cradled chalice of honeydew is that the far finish has a subtle hint astringent graininess, this really is quite subtle though and only recognizable because I enjoy chewing on malted barley of all shades & flavors. This is one outstanding beer, which certainly has not disappointed me, in typical American fashion, a bit of brash arrogance and rebellion has been added to the traditional Doppelbock malt-bill, but luckily the brewer had the sensibility to not over-hop a beer of this style. Let the malt shine on its on complexities and merit, maltophiles rejoice, and make sure you get a bottle of this as soon as possible.

Serving type: bottle

12-10-2004 17:40:30 | More by Gueuzedude

TheManiacalOne

Rhode Island

4.38/5  rDev +3.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Poured from a 500ml swing-top bottle into a pilsener glass.

A: The beer is a deep reddish brown color, with a large foamy tan head that fades slowly and leaves a thick lace on the glass.

S: The aroma is malty and fruity with a little bit of chocolate in the background, but overall the smell is not very strong.

T: The chocolate flavor is a little bit stronger in the taste than it is in the smell, but it’s only strong enough to compliment the other flavors and make the taste extremely well-balanced and complex. The combination of dark fruit, chocolate, caramelized malt and a touch of hops is very well done.

M: Crisp and remarkably smooth, medium-to-heavy body, medium carbonation, finish is a little sticky.

D: Tasty, goes down very easily, not-too-filling, ABV is extremely well-hidden, I made short work of the bottle I had and it was one of those beers that made me wish I had bought more.

Serving type: bottle

12-17-2006 05:22:38 | More by TheManiacalOne

Knapp85

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev -5.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This one poured out looking pretty thick, It got me a little excited when I saw how it looked. The color was a deep brown tone with a cream colored head on top. The smell of the beer has lots of malt and sweet grain aromas. Some toasted and chocolate aromas were there too. The taste of the beer was pretty nice, smooth semi sweet with a bitterness in the back end to sum it all up. The mouthfeel was actually on the thicker side and had a creamier feel to it than I expected. Overall it's a very enjoyable brew.

Serving type: bottle

09-24-2011 21:33:09 | More by Knapp85

russpowell

Oklahoma

4.38/5  rDev +3.3%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4

mad props to ddarden for this yummy offering. A very reassuring swooosh as the fliptop opens!

Pours ruby red to to mahogany with a healthy 4 fingers tan head. Great lacing & head retention

Smell: huge maltiness & spicyness (pepper & cinamon)

Taste: Malt & licorice upfront, followed by alcohol burn & fruiityness. I pick up a slight cinamon flavor & loads of caramel as it warms. Finishes malty& dry with alcohol notes. Could've let this one age if I wasn't so eager to try this! Very complex

MF: Chewy & perfectly balanced

Drnks pretty good, just needs to lose some fit rough edges, which I'm sure aging would take care of. One of the better dopplebocks I've come across. Loved the liter bottle, certainally needed the swing top lid, needed 2 nights to finish!

Serving type: bottle

06-17-2006 14:12:10 | More by russpowell

Gavage

New Jersey

4.18/5  rDev -1.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Appearance: pours a brown color with a one finger head that falls to some larger bubbles on the glass sides.

Smell: caramel, bread, and a mild alcohol nose.

Taste: caramel, milk chocolate, prunes, moderate bitterness, and a bit of alcohol warming. A nice bready feel here too.

Mouthfeel: medium-heavy in body. Smooth from the start through to the finish.

Overall: a full flavored doppelbock that really hits the spot when looking for the style. Worthy of trying this one.

Serving type: bottle

01-01-2012 19:35:29 | More by Gavage

jwc215

New Jersey

4.38/5  rDev +3.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Thanks to wolfsblood for this one!
500 ml flip-top bottle:

Pours very dark brown - almost black - with a thin light brown head. Lacing sticks.

The smell is malty - darkish - cocoa/toffee with a light earthy character mixed in.

The taste is rich and malty - chocolatey/toffeeish and grainy. Sweetness balanced by herbal/earthy spicing. Smooth and clean, as a good lager should be. Hearty and full-bodied fitting for the style.

A very nice example of the style. Alcohol covered enough - giving just a touch of warmth but not sharp in the least. Very drinkable. Malty rich but with a nice hop balance.

Serving type: bottle

03-02-2009 01:01:32 | More by jwc215

tempest

Pennsylvania

4.22/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

2006 Vintage discovered at Abe's 6-pack shop in Feb '08.

Dark brown with ruby highlights and a big tan head. The aroma is surprisingly mild with a touch of creamy candy, spice and malts. The flavor has a slight smoked character than blends wonderfully in the aftertaste with herbal, earthy hops. The bulk of the flavor is rich, but smooth German malt, meaty and bready. There's a touch of cardboard from oxidation and sour tang from bacteria, but that's expected and doesn't really detract from the flavor. All in all, a very different doppelbock, but tasty, interesting, and ridiculously drinkable. Yum.

Serving type: bottle

03-01-2008 22:59:27 | More by tempest

akorsak

Pennsylvania

4.03/5  rDev -5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A 500 mL swing-top from a trade with goodbyeohio.

A: The bock is a deep brown, almost black color, that has ruby red highlights when held to light. The head is never very thick and settles to a small off-white patch in the glass.

S: The nose is malty, thick and grainy, with some chocolate and roasted chewy notes.

T: The lager has a rich flavor, full of biscuity, thick with some roasted burnt malts and toasted bread. There are toffee, anise, dry cherry and brown sugar flavors that pop up throughout the glass. The varying flavors mix nicely, never overpowering each other or making the beer to thick to enjoy. There is a prominent alcohol presence that comes through at the end of the sip and is well-mixed with the malts.

M: The mouthfeel provides a wide array of flavors, providing a a wide spectrum to enjoy.

D: This is an excellent doppelbock, full of malty strength and subtle flavors. It is certainly up there with Weihenstephane's Korbinian in my book.

Serving type: bottle

01-12-2007 17:46:35 | More by akorsak

WVbeergeek

Ohio

4.45/5  rDev +5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Much thanks goes out to beergeek279 and cupbeerman for letting me join in on the sampling of this highly rated d-bock. We enjoyed it at one of the newest beer hotspots in the Burgh, the Pittsburgh Bottleshop Cafe where we sampled this brew in official Celebrator glasses, man are those things cool. Anyway on to this beer. Appearance: Deep dark ruby chocolate hue tan head forms nice and thick leaves some scattered lacing throughout the tasting session. Aroma: I was hit with some underlying vinous wine like character along with robust healthy dosages of chocolate roastiness, and a touch of underlying over ripened fruit notes. Seems bigger than the average doppelbock much more complex the hops send herbal tones across my nasal passage, not bad. Taste: Alot more chocolate flavor than your typical doppelbock seems porterish in many ways, but regardless tasty and so damn drinkable. A touch of raisin and alcohol sear the palate with mild overly ripened plums complex and good, but seems this one caught alot of hype. Don't get me wrong I love it but what sets this one so far apart from St Victorious or Korbinian, in my opinion not much. Mouthfeel: Medium body big lager here very delicate carbonation makes going down that much smoother. Drinkability: All in all a damn fine d-bock that I enjoyed, but I think I let my expectations ruin the experience for me just a bit. Incredibly smooth and flavorful robust version of the style very good I must seek out more brews from Troutbrook Brewing, well done.

Serving type: bottle

07-16-2004 19:42:06 | More by WVbeergeek