Andechser Doppelbock Dunkel - Klosterbrauerei Andechs

northyorksammy

Ontario (Canada)

4.03/5  rDev -7.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Intense bold flavour, bit of everything. Roast, whiff of smoke, some sourness, dark chocolate, molasses. Medium-full chewy mouthful. Dark chocolate colour, chocolate aroma. Creaminess and really interesting range of flavours with multi-course meal. Thanks Mr. Madsberg from Denmark.

Serving type: bottle

10-06-2005 04:59:05 | More by northyorksammy

BuckeyeNation

Iowa

4.4/5  rDev +0.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Fiery red-orange-dark bronze with brighter orange highlights. The beer is absolutely pristine and is a marvelous, multi-hued prism when bright sunlight is permitted entry. Atop the liquid is a glorious crown of foam that is the color and consistency of light brown sugar mousse. Enough lace sticks to keep visual interest sky-high.

The aroma is chock full of roasted malt, dark fruit and earthy hops. More nostril-filling power would be welcome, but what's here is still very nice. My hope is that some of the nose's best tendencies will be amplified on the palate. If so, then this doppelbock will more than live up to its reputation.

This is exceptional beer and is truly world-class. While it isn't as huge as anticipated (I keep having to remind myself that doppelbocks are lagers) it's definitely on the hefty side for the style... and that's a very good thing indeed. More malt is almost always my preference when it comes to malt-dominant beer.

Dark fruits (dates primarily) lead the way on the palate, followed closely by toasted brown bread, dark caramel, cocoa and chicory coffee. Even though dates are prominent, the beer isn't all that sweet. In fact, I'd say that sweet and bitter fight to a virtual draw. The long finish even makes a move toward dry and clean; remarkable in such a malty beer.

The mouthfeel is pretty damn close to big lager perfection. Only the best beer on the planet is able to deliver this amount of mouthfilling volume coupled with a velvety suppleness and a flavor-sustaining light viscosity on the finish. A subdued amount of carbonation is icing on the doppelbock cake.

Klosterbrauerei Andechs has had since the Middle Ages to perfect this beer. One sip is all it takes to prove that they did so long, long ago. I might not even mind a several week, monk-like fast if I had Andechser Doppelbock Dunkel to sustain me for the duration. This is one of the three best versions of this style that I've ever had the pleasure to drink. I'd like to thank the incomparable feloniousmonk for his much appreciated generosity.

Serving type: bottle

11-03-2006 16:47:14 | More by BuckeyeNation

mikesgroove

South Carolina

4.58/5  rDev +5%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Had the chance to acquire a decent amount of a fresh batch of this recently. Thrilled to finally be able to put this one under my belt, I wasted no time at all with getting one chilled down to enjoy. Served out of the fridge and poured into a twenty ounce pint glass, this one was consumed on 10/22/2008.

The look was absolutely perfect, and I really mean that. For the style, it gets no better then this one, hands down. Rich dark brown in color and completely opaque, save for a few touches of light peaking through on the sides and bottom, giving it a slightly reddish tone around the edges. Some nice, light carbonation came trickling up from the bottom of the glass, converging into a rich three inch head of off white foam that took what seemed like forever to finally settled down. Rich side glass lacing then followed this and I mean I cannot stress enough how good this one looked.

The aroma was a touch lighter then I would have expected, but still absolutely great. Rich notes of caramel and toffee just ruled the day here. Some light notes of bready malts and a touch of earthy hops in the back, with the tiniest hint of a spicy alcohol, but so mellow it was barely noticeable. Then I took a taste. This had to be the smoothest, creamiest, bock I have ever encountered. Hands down just ridiculously good. Super sweet with nice notes of caramel, toffee and rich bready malts all over this. So subtle in its profile, so rich in its complexity, it was seriously hard to match this in terms of anything I have had in the style before. Super smooth carbonation and a body that bordered on the full line, as it was so filling and creamy that I nearly melted into my chair. Rich, and very sweet aftertaste then moved me right back to where I started leaving that toffee like flavor laying across my tongue for the rest of the evening.

In the end, I was utterly blown away by this one. One of the best beers I have ever had, period. It was just so smooth it almost defined logic. I could not simply imagine having something this good, and here I was enjoying it. This one needs to be tried by everyone, it defined the style for me. What a happy night.

Serving type: bottle

10-24-2008 00:37:18 | More by mikesgroove

womencantsail

California

4.38/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A huge thanks to Greg for including this as an extra in our recent trade! I've been wanting to try this one for quite some time.

A: The pour is a dark amber-kissed brown color with a finger's worth of khaki foam.

S: A nice sweet nose with some cola, chocolate, and caramel. There's a fair amount of roast to this, which I was not quite expecting.

T: The flavor is pretty much what I expect from a doppelbock. Toffee, caramel, cola, cherries, and just a pleasant sweetness overall. The roasted and toasted malts provide some nice complexity.

M: The body is medium with a very nice creamy and smooth carbonation to it.

D: I really liked this doppelbock, which is becoming a style that I enjoy very much. Good flavor and mouthfeel, and easy to drink.

Serving type: bottle

07-02-2010 07:56:15 | More by womencantsail

Thorpe429

Illinois

4.65/5  rDev +6.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Huge, huge thanks to Masterski for opening this up and giving me a hefty pour at the Hunahpu's release. The search for this one had been a long one, and then just fell into my lap thanks to a very generous trader.

A: Took this over to the light to get a better glimpse. The pour was a deep, roasted brown with a bit of an amber hue. A very nice off-white head.

S: Very nice slightly-sweet malt alongside caramel, toffee, a nice brisk hop presence, and a bit of brown sugar.

T: Very malty with nice caramel and brown sugar notes. Hints of dark fruit. Hop presence is a little high compared to other examples, but melds beautifully with the rest of this one's flavors.

M: Very nice. The creaminess requisite of a good bock is there, but there's also a nice dryness that comes through as well. Moderate carbonation on a medium-to-full body. Good aftertaste comes through.

D: The combination of the elegant mouthfeel and complex taste make this one well worth coming back to sip after sip. Thanks again to Alex for letting me try this one, although I'll definitely say that my search will only intensify as we get into bock season and this one keeps springing back into memory.

Serving type: bottle

03-13-2010 21:44:08 | More by Thorpe429

brentk56

North Carolina

4.88/5  rDev +11.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Appearance: Pours a clear caramel colored liquid that is capped by three inches of foam; the retention was very good and bubbles of foam were left on the side of the pint glass

Smell: Dates and caramel backed by a hint of grain

Taste: Date and caramel flavors, up front, moderated by toasty grain elements that keep the sweetness in check; by mid-palate the cocoa and apple flavors add additional complexity that lingers into the finish

Mouthfeel: Full bodied and creamy, with moderate carbonation

Overall: A wonderful doppelbock, with terrific balance and complexity; particularly like the mouthfeel; this was the style that started me on my beer journey when I was at the Spaten brewery and tasted Salvator; unfortunately, I was at Andechs earlier in the week without knowing that this was the beer to order; so now, some seven years later, I finally got to try the best of the style

Thanks, Doodler, for the opportunity

Serving type: bottle

09-16-2011 22:19:10 | More by brentk56

Phyl21ca

Quebec (Canada)

4/5  rDev -8.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Bottle courtesy of Plucier: Poured a deep brown color doppelbock with a medium foamy head with good retention and some lacing. Aroma of banana bread with some light ester is quite interesting and enjoyable. Taste of banana bread and light ester is interesting and the creamy texture provides an even higher level of enjoyment. I have to admit that my expectations were quite high and I was glad to have been able to secure a bottle but I still believe this a notch below the Ayinger. The bottle had a BB date of 07/2007 which probably didn’t help as I would think fresh bottle of this stuff would be better – hopefully I will have the chance to try this one gain in the near future.

Serving type: bottle

06-13-2007 15:26:09 | More by Phyl21ca

BEERchitect

Kentucky

4.47/5  rDev +2.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Without question, this is both a sublime and effortless beer. Despite it's bold flavor, the beer shows superior drinkabiliby and comfort.

The pour brings a casual and sultry mohogany color and medium haze (unusual for a long conditioned lager). A delicate and froathy head forms a mere sheet across the beer of lightly tanned foam, but the head retains reasonably well and shows light signs of lacing- thought I wanted more, the beer's appearance does what's asked for the style.

Moderate (perhaps muted) aromas of dates, figs, raisons, plumbs, toast, molassas, and sorghum round out the estery/malty mix. But the secrets of the beer rely in the savory melanoidin-rich flavors that give the impressions of scorn meats and breads without any phenolic character or smokey notes. All fruit-like character seem to be the result of dark and developed malts and not from the yeasty esters. All of these flavors are extremely rounded and meld very, very well.

Moderately creamy up front, the beer develops into a velvety smooth feel in the transition to its finish, where the beer has a toasty and malty-sweet finish. Alcohols create a pleasant warmth but the sweet malty finish takes precidence in the end.

I have an affinity for toasty-dry Dopplebocks that have the same malty components that is evident in this beer, but these succulent and sultry flavors and textures superscede my preconcieved notions of the Dopplebock style. This beer has many of the intangibles that separate great beers from very good beers.

Serving type: bottle

12-14-2005 17:27:01 | More by BEERchitect

TMoney2591

Illinois

2.85/5  rDev -34.6%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

Served in a Sweetwater mini-snifter.

Goin' after some big fish here, the current top-rated doppelbock. Let's dance: It pours a dark-ish sienna topped by a finger of sandy khaki foam. The nose comprises dry toffee and lightly-toasted biscuit. The taste brings in more of the same, along with some light vanilla bean and watered-down cocoa. The body is a light medium, with a light moderate carbonation and a sorta/kinda drying finish. Overall, this stuff is about as painfully average as you can get. Something tells me it's all about unattainability here: Because this stuff requires at least an overseas trade or a vacation or a lucky hookup, it's perceived as better than it really is. (I call it Westy syndrome.) Sometimes, it's still good, but it's never nearly as good as reputations hold it to be. Huge case-in-point here.

Serving type: bottle

01-07-2013 21:38:14 | More by TMoney2591

feloniousmonk

Minnesota

4.65/5  rDev +6.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

A bottle procured for me by Dave, a loyal customer at my restaurant/bar, who has recently been bringing German gems back from business trips for me. All hail Dave!
Appearance: partially clear, dark ruby hue, an enigmatic appearance, really, clear here, dark there, obtuse in places, with a lovely, lush layer of pale, tanned foam standing guard on top.
Aroma: caramel & spice, soft & creamy, lightly toasted, with subtle fruit.
Taste: luscious fruit proclaims itself at the onset, a beautiful blend of grape, cherry, berry, & more, supported by a warm, generous malt bill.
More flavors interject as we continue, raisins, figs, chocolate climbs aboard, too, for a spell, contributing a subtle, sensuous cocoa feel all over the palate.
Sublime, really.
This mere 7.1% ABV doppelbock only peeps up the tiniest bit in alcohol feel, so smooth it is, so rich with flavor, not harsh, nor brash, mellow, cool, yet bold with flavor, getting winey-er and winey-er in taste as we go.
Got to hand it to the monks at Andesch, for they are gentle, benevolent geniuses, and those who know their work are doubly blessed!

Serving type: bottle

05-11-2004 09:13:54 | More by feloniousmonk

drabmuh

Maryland

4.53/5  rDev +3.9%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

I LOVE German lagers (even if a real German wouldn't consider this a lager, I still love them). And this beer has been on my WANTS list pretty much since I've had a WANTS list. I was fortunate enough to get several this year after several friends ventured to Germany this summer, Oktoberfest related activities. I ended up with much more than I ever hoped, I may revise my reviews as I drink more of the bottles.

Expired 12.23.10. Well before expiration.

Beer poured into a celebrator doppelbock glass. Beer looks perfect for a doppelbock. Its brown and light, completely clear with moderate carbonation of medium bubbles that rise quickly through the beer accelerating into the head of thin off white bubbles that eventually breaks and pulls toward the glass. Beer leaves some lacing on the glass as well.

Aroma is appropriately leveled, not too strong but not weak at all. Its caramel and malty, sweet and dark at the same time. Smells really good.

Beer leads off with some sweetness, gives way to a medium bodied beer with some toffee notes in the midpalate. The whole thing is well connected and finishes cleanly with no aftertaste. Its a simple beer, simpler than expected, lighter than expected but it makes no mistakes. Its sweet but not cloying, its balanced with no bitterness and a moderately dry finish. I thoroughly enjoyed it and would definitely drink it again. I'm glad I have several more.

Serving type: bottle

10-18-2010 18:10:57 | More by drabmuh

MasterSki

Illinois

4.25/5  rDev -2.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

I've had this beer a few times, but haven't gotten around to reviewing it. This bottle was from Etre Gourmet and was nearly a year old. Served in some sort of tulip at Tom's place.

A - Light tan foam settles to a thin collar and wispy patches, leaving minimal lacework. Transparent dark almond brown body.

S - A nice collection of toasted malts, cocoa powder, toffees, honey-dipped cake, and a bit of malted milk chocolate (i.e. Whoppers). Perhaps a hint of roast in there as well. It's also got that clean lager feel to it.

T - The taste isn't quite as sweet as the aroma suggests, with more hearty bread and nuts and less of the sweet and sugary flavors. Think banana bread with a dash of dark fruits and toffee and you'd be pretty close. No alcohol, which is appreciated even though this is on the low end of the Doppelbock ABVs scale. Clean and surprisingly refreshing finish.

M - Medium-full bodied, with a bit of roast dryness to the texture. Otherwise chewy and creamy, with medium-low carbonation an a hint of alcohol warmth. Quite easy to drink in comparison to some weightier beers of the style.

D - This is a very good doppelbock, but I think the unavailability factor may drive up the scores a tiny bit. Still, it seems mellower than Ayinger Celebrator even though it's a bit higher in alcohol. I could easily drink a half-litre on my own and I'll make sure to do so next time I'm in Europe.

Serving type: bottle

09-26-2012 15:02:31 | More by MasterSki

TheManiacalOne

Rhode Island

4.15/5  rDev -4.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Acquired via trade from feloniousmonk, so a huge "Thank You" goes out to him. Poured from a 16.9oz bottle into a pilsener glass.

A: The beer is a bright reddish brown color, with a large off-white head that fades slowly and leaves a thick lace on the glass.

S: The aroma is of lager yeast, dark fruit, caramel and some spice with a touch of hops.

T: The taste nicely balanced with a strong flavor of lager yeast and complimentary flavors of dark fruit, caramel and some spice. There's a mild hops presence that is as strong as you would expect from this type of beer. The after-taste is slightly bready and slightly sweet.

M: Crisp and smooth, medium body, medium carbonation, finish is very clean.

D: Tasty, goes down easily, not too filling, good kick, very good representation of style, this isn't normally a style that I drink much of but this beer is definitely one of the first ones that I'd pick if it were available and I wanted to drink a Doppelbock for a whole evening.

Serving type: bottle

04-20-2008 02:52:27 | More by TheManiacalOne

russpowell

Oklahoma

4.5/5  rDev +3.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Fruit and slight nut taste up front get overran by alcohol & body, lots of body! Licorice also is there. Beautiful brown to black color. Tried this numerous times after purchasing in getranke markets and on base class-six stores. It was the perfect beer for cutting the chill on the long chilly German winter nights. All the beers from this brewery are great. Wish I could've visited the monastery...

Serving type: bottle

08-10-2005 04:31:48 | More by russpowell

Gueuzedude

Arizona

4.47/5  rDev +2.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Best By Date March 2008; Sampled April 2008
Pours with a frothy, initially three finger thick, tan colored head that . The beer is quite clear, despite being a dark plum color I can see through it as it sits on my desk, if held up to the light it shows a light, brilliantly clear, cranberry color that has touches of copper to it. this has a malty aroma to it that is quite meaty, meaning it has a richness to it that I associate with umami. Caramelized malt sugars, touches of toffee, sweet toasty bread aromatics and perhaps a touch of oxidation around the edges that seems to boost some of the rich malt notes. There is also a distinct fruity, almost berry like note here, though it isn't always noticeable.

Richly textured though not overly heavy, it also has a nice, prickly carbonation to it that helps to lighten things on the palate just a touch. Sweet, though not cloying, it continues to have a richness & complexity to its malt-sweetness. The beer finishes with a touch of sharp dark malt notes, not really roast-like, but something that is going that direction with a toasty edge. This almost has a cocoa note to it at times, especially when the beer hits the taste buds right such that it tastes drier than normal. I really like the heft and texture of this brew, it is chewy & rich with a certain viscousness to it, yet it is still easily drunk 500ml at a time. The malt character really takes on a rich bread-like flavor that is somewhere between a chewy whole grain bread and a lightly sweet, faintly spiced, holiday bread. This actually has a fantastic malt depth & character to it & it really lingers quite well on the tongue; changing from sweet to rich to toasty to caramelized. A light hop bitterness kicks in towards the beginning of the finish and provides a touch of balance to the rich malt character.

This just gets better as it warms up a bit and I work my way through this glass; I can't quite pinpoint why (though I don't think it is just the alcohol), but it just is so rich, chewy and drinkable all at the same time. A wonderful beer, that I will most definitely have to get more of at some point in the future. I'd be curious what a fresh bottle of this would taste like, though this one is not noticeably over the hill in any way. This perhaps started out a bit slow (though still really good), but it has picked up lots of steam, finishes incredibly strong and I am now wishing I had more of this sitting in my glass right now; this is really quite fantastically tasty. Letting it warm up really makes this beer shine.

Serving type: bottle

04-02-2008 05:53:27 | More by Gueuzedude

tempest

Pennsylvania

3.98/5  rDev -8.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Picked up a bottle from Drinks of the World in Bern.

Looks great with a dark red-brown body and light tan head. The aroma is an intoxicating mix of smoke, port and dark bready grains. The flavor, unfortunately canät quite match the brilliance of the aroma and falls a little flat without any big fruit, grain, or other yeast character that really stand out. It's still a pleasant mix of dark bread and dates thats quite nice.

The drinkability here is also amazing. This is certainly a beer that could put you in the gutter if you're not careful.

Serving type: bottle

07-07-2008 09:16:23 | More by tempest

akorsak

Pennsylvania

4.7/5  rDev +7.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A 500 mL bottle courtesy of HumblePatience.

A: The bock is a deep tawny color, deep ruby red that is accentuated when light shines through. Tawny is not 100% accurate, as the bock is just a little too dark to be a port. A quarter finger of head arose on pour and quickly dissapated to a white band.

S: The nose is toasty, full of grains. The bready smell is accentuated with a dry fruitiness that is part apricot and part green apple.

T: Wow! The blast of malts is intense but it doesn't go over the top. The flavor screams maibock with its slightly fruity grain taste. Green apples with a touch of brown sugar sweetens up the taste, sweetening up malt body. Caramel and biscuit malt flavors are strong but well-balanced, mixing with the fruitiness to create a solid taste that is lively and fresh. I am not a fan of doppelbocks but this one is very good.

M: The mouthfeel is smooth, allowing the malts to stand out without the biting sharpness that most doppelbocks manage to create. The sweet lightness makes me anxious for the upcoming helles bock season.

D: The abv is moderate but it seems to really hit hard, although you'd never know it from the taste. Big thanks again to HumblePatience for this beauty.

Serving type: bottle

02-09-2008 02:16:41 | More by akorsak

rhoadsrage

Illinois

4.65/5  rDev +6.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

(Served in a weizen glass) mind estens halt bar bis: 191010
A- Glows clear but dense with a deep walnut brown body with a sea of microbubbles in slow motion to a light tan creamy head that last and last with nice lacing with each sip.
S- The rich sweet toasted maltiness with some caramel malt with raw grain in the background and a Vienna malt.
T- A rich roasted flavor with a slight sweetness leads to a dry finish with a nice darker roasted malt that grows in the finish. A hop bitterness blends with roasted dark malt and a light sulfur note all linger together after the finish.
M- This beer has a full mouthfeel with no alcohol heat and a nice creamy texture.
D- The full rich dark malt with some lager qualities and no real nougat melanoidins notes. This is a big beer with a nice supporting bitterness. It is a full meal in a glass.

Serving type: bottle

07-14-2010 13:47:57 | More by rhoadsrage

Wasatch

Utah

4.47/5  rDev +2.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Thanks goes out to Turdfurgison for this brew.

Pours a very nice dark golden amber color, nice carbonation, little fizzy tan head, very minimal sticky lacing follows. The nose is very big on malts, sweet, and lots of caramel. The taste is sweet, malty, and lots of caramel. Medium body. Very drinkable, this is a very tasty doppelbock, but I would definitely put up a Celebrator up against it, recommended. Availability is the only thing I can see that makes this special. Thanks Eric.

Serving type: bottle

07-07-2008 23:55:36 | More by Wasatch

jlindros

Massachusetts

4.11/5  rDev -5.7%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Nice fizzy head, hazy sediment yeast laden chestnut brown color

Nose nice toffee, nutty, molasses like almost syrupy candy, toasted wheat, dark wheat, biscuit, etc.

Taste brings light syrupy molasses, then biscuit, toffee, nutty flavors, little buttery brittle, light candy like, lots of wheat and little candied banana, etc. Dry finish, lingering toffee and nutty flavors as well as the banana wheat.

Mouth is med to a bit heavier bodied, nice carb.

Overall quite nice, cross between a nice German dunkel, and Belgian like monk style beer.

Serving type: bottle

06-05-2013 14:29:31 | More by jlindros

mdfb79

New York

4.53/5  rDev +3.9%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

From 11/19/10 notes. Poured from a 500ml bottle into my Sierra Nevada XXX Anniversary tulip, shared with a friend. Best by date of 12/23/10. Huge thanks to Thorpe429 for giving me this bottle as it was a big Want and something I wasn't really sure how I could get without an international trade; thanks Mike!

a - Pours a dark amber-brown color with two fingers of off white head and moderate carbonation evident. The head has great retention and lasted for several minutes, and left nice lacing on the glass. Looks perfect to me.

s - Smells of caramel malts, roasted malts, and toasted malts. Also getting some nuts and dark fruits. Very malty, but very enjoyable.

t - Tastes of caramel malts, dark fruits, nuts, bready malts, toasted malts, and roasted malts. More caramel in the taste than the smell in my opinion. Both are great, but I enjoy the taste a little more.

m - Medium body and moderate carbonation. The body is very smooth and creamy, and easy to drink.

d - Overall I loved this beer and am so glad I got to try it/that it didn't disappoint. It looked amazing and I really enjoyed the caramelin the taste. I felt like I could have drank a ton of this, and wanted to. Would love to have again and something I'll be on the look out for if I ever go to Germany. Up there with Ayinger Celebrator for my favorite of the style.

Serving type: bottle

11-21-2010 18:08:28 | More by mdfb79

Billolick

New York

4.47/5  rDev +2.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

16 ouncer,, with "mindestens haltbar bis" dating of 020305, Fresh as far as I can tell. Brought back by a neighbor from Germany. This classy brew is a treat. Rich, bold, and ultra smooth. Pours a classic, brownish dark amber, white tiny bubble head. Nose is pure rich malt. Wonderfully smooth and rich mouthfeel. Notes of dark caramel, raisins, molasas, rum, tastes like a nice sweet light chocolate brownie. Complex, smooth and satisfying. If you can find some, buy it.

Serving type: bottle

11-13-2004 02:48:46 | More by Billolick

ppoitras

Massachusetts

4.63/5  rDev +6.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

500ml bottle from AKSmokedPorter as part of Secret Santa 2005. Thanks for the opportunity.

Poured into a heavy glass chalice glass, formed a 1/4" tan head above the clear dark amber brew. Head fades down to a layer of small bubbles, with ample slow-falling lace. Aroma is heavy caramelly malts, with strong dark fruit highlights. Taste is grain husks upfront, gradually fading into light soft bitterness. Mouthfeel is like plush velvet, and drinkability is incredible. Worth the wait. Have to facilitate drinking this again...

Serving type: bottle

08-10-2006 00:06:55 | More by ppoitras

Viggo

Ontario (Canada)

4.43/5  rDev +1.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Big thanks to RedHaze for hooking me up with this one, I've been trying to get for a while.

Pours a clear dark reddish orange, light brown, thick off white head forms, quickly settles to a medium ring, some lace spots on the glass. Smell is glorious, very bready, yeast, biscuit, caramel, bit of iron, dark fruits, bit of orangey citrus, rich and delicious smelling. Taste is great, brown sugar sweetness, citrus, light floral, then caramel, lots of dark fruit and iron, raisins, maybe a touch of chocolate roastiness, very dry biscuity finish, light bit of spice, very enjoyable. Mouthfeel is light to medium bodied with low carbonation, bit of warmth but very smooth. Definition of liquid bread, fantastic doppelbock.

Serving type: bottle

09-13-2008 22:05:46 | More by Viggo

BlackHaddock

United Kingdom (England)

4.5/5  rDev +3.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

This review is of the beer poured for me in Regensburg at the Andechers Kloster Hotel Bar (I think that was its name anyway).

Lovelly glass, lovelly sight, almost jet black with a half inch of a tight creamy coloured head, which stayed with me and the pint (half litre really) until we had both finished.

Aroma of toffee apples dipped in malt and then plunged into plum ram.

The taste was wonderful, syrup like, but not sticky or jammy, just wonderful and right.

Stuck to my mouth, giving the palate time to take in the taste and flavours, so complexed, it is hard to explain. If you have never tried it, try and find some, it is very, very good.

Serving type: on-tap

10-04-2006 13:27:29 | More by BlackHaddock