Cinderbock
Heavyweight Brewing Co.

CinderbockCinderbock
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From:
Heavyweight Brewing Co.
 
New Jersey, United States
Style:
Doppelbock
ABV:
7%
Score:
85
Avg:
3.79 | pDev: 15.04%
Reviews:
100
Ratings:
103
Status:
Retired
Rated:
Jan 27, 2012
Added:
Dec 02, 2001
Wants:
  2
Gots:
  2
No description / notes.
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Ratings by BCMan:
Photo of BCMan
Reviewed by BCMan from Pennsylvania

2.18/5  rDev -42.5%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 3 | overall: 1.5
I've officially decided that it is now possible make liquid hot dogs. I was warned about smoke beers and wanted ti decide for myself. This beer poured up a murky yellow color...almost like muddy water. A decend head formed but faded thin coating. It smells like it tastes which is like a smoked hot dog. I've been told that you either love or hate this style of beer and I am clearly on one side with no chance of changing over. I might recommend this to someone that loves to smoke and eat smoked beef products.
Apr 08, 2005
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 4.5 by Beertracker from Oklahoma

Jan 27, 2012
 
Rated: 4 by rab53 from Washington

Dec 01, 2011
 
Rated: 3 by BigMike from Pennsylvania

Nov 16, 2011
Photo of brentk56
Reviewed by brentk56 from North Carolina

3.73/5  rDev -1.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
Appearance: Pours a very hazy copper color with a prodigious head that left thick bands of lacing around the glass

Smell: Lightly smoked malt aromas waft upwards, with a vague smoked salmon essence that also reminds me of charred embers

Taste: Starts out with a mouthfull of smokey, but slightly sweet malt; after the swallow, a depth of additional malty flavor appears that is also slightly astringent

Mouthfeel: Medium bodied with moderate carbonation

Drinkability: At first, I didn't focus on the "Cinderbock" reference and wondered what it was that I was tasting; with some thought, I find this an intriguing beer for a change of pace; to call it a Doppelbock does it a disservice; it really belongs in the smoked beer category where it stands alone
Aug 12, 2006
Photo of rayjay
Reviewed by rayjay from Hawaii

3.39/5  rDev -10.6%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3
Scored at the Foodery and driven 3000 miles to me by a very good friend indeed!!!!

Poured into a tall Paulaner glass, very slowly, and the head completely took over the glass (a la Chimay White). Therefore I had to pour this is 2 phases. Lots of yeast so beware. No lacing.

The smell is VERY smoky, the smokiest I've had to date by a long shot. Big salty ham smell, along with a very strong, telltale east coast lager smell. Leather, horse, smoked jerky (the sweet kind).

Mouthfeel was completely flat, like a stale cask in it's waning, still-drinkable, final moments. Strong bock body for sure. Bitter hops hit 1 second later, then are gone in a flash, leaving the smoke in your nose and the malt on the tip of your tounge. Heavy in your gut, and the alcohol is present there if you look for it.

Edit: this isn't really a dopplebock, it's a dark pale beer that smells and tastes like it got rescued from a burning building.

Very unique brew, I'd drink it again, if I can ever get ahold of one again. (the brewery is shutting down as I write this). Fun to try, but way too heavy for me. Lots of malt=I'm full and drunk and dehyrdated.
Aug 07, 2006
Photo of HimerMan
Reviewed by HimerMan from New Jersey

3.18/5  rDev -16.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
12oz bottle poured into my trusty Delirium tremens glass.

Nice apple cider brown pour with a moderate off-white/tan head that went away rather quickly.

Tastes like a brown ale mixed with a dopplebock, very nice opening with sweet and tart flavor that ends with a sourness. As the beer warms, more of the sourness comes through - a bit like rind of an orange thats been soaked in alcohol.

Much better at colder temperatures - however, worth the try if you can find these anymore.

Give this a shot if you are into dopplebocks, it is mild given its alcohol content, and best at colder (not too cold) temperatures.

Cheers.
Aug 04, 2006
Photo of cbl2
Reviewed by cbl2 from New York

4.15/5  rDev +9.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
$7.99 4 pack 7.00% No best by date.

Appearance:

Pours a hazy orange-brown with a quarter inch of foamy white head.

Aroma:

Mild smoked peat/processed meat with sweet malt notes. No detectable hops.

Taste/Mouthfeel:

Nicely sweet coupled with a smoked meat flavor reminiscent of a smoked beer. Some ham characteristics, which are surprisingly good. Nicely balanced brew and quite enjoyable.
Jul 29, 2006
Photo of nlmartin
Reviewed by nlmartin from Ohio

4.29/5  rDev +13.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
This beer was purchased at the Foodery in Philly. The beer is served in a pub glass.

Appearance: The beer has a amber ginger ale kind of coloration. The head was shortly lived white coloration. No lacing to speak of.

Smell: Some one smoked the hell out of this beer. The beer smells heavily of mesquite grilled smokyness. The beer has a very pleasant maltyness combined with smoke.

Taste: The taste is a spicy sweet and sour smokey treat. The beer has a hell of a lot of smokyness in the flavor. Frankly the smoke in this beer is more than I remember in Rauchbiers and other smoked beers I have had. The smokyness is really welcome. The beer has a very good malty sweetness. The grains combine well and create a toasty sort of flavor. The beer has some woodyness about it.

Mouthfeel/ Drinkability: This beer is medium bodied. None of the flavors or smells are out of sorts. This is a dam tasty beer treat. I wish I had a case of this. The beer is not one to guzzle or to session. It is simply a nice beer treat.
Jun 16, 2006
Photo of bennetj17
Reviewed by bennetj17 from Arizona

3.09/5  rDev -18.5%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
This beer looks dead, like tomato juice but more of a brown/mahogany color instead, no head. The aroma is fairly strong, smoky, meaty, with a malt sweetness dominating. The taste is awful at first, but I don't give up on it. Very strong and tangy, the malt tastes nutty and has a mild smoke flavor. The overriding tanginess destroys the other flavors trying to come through, but give it some time and it begins to want to balance itself out a bit with some brown sugary sweetness. Mouthfeel is slightly thin, and there is just enough carbonation to get by. This beer is hanging on by a thread, I am able to finish this bottle, but I think I'll have something else next...
Jun 12, 2006
Photo of brewcrew76
Reviewed by brewcrew76 from Wisconsin

2.73/5  rDev -28%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5
I didn't read the label when I bought this and I can tell from the very beginning that I am in for a surprise with this beer.

A - Pours a murky yellowish brown with a thin off white head.

S - Heavy smoke, almost like smoked bacon or ham, slight hint of malt sweetness.

T - A smokiness that intensifies as it warms. Smoked bacon and ham. Not as smoky as a rauchbier but the smokiness definitely dominates this one.

M - Medium body that feels heavier than it is due to the lack of carbonation. Paired with the smoky taste it makes me feel like I am drinking the drippings from smoked meat.

D - Having not read the label this is definitely not what I was expecting from a Bock. I don't like smoked beers and don;t think I could drink another of these.
May 25, 2006
Photo of jaluria
Reviewed by jaluria from Connecticut

2.91/5  rDev -23.2%
look: 3 | smell: 2 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2.5
A poor beer from a great, great brewery. I was excited to try this when I saw it on-tap, but was more than disappointed.

Appeared a cloudy, orange-gold color with a thin white colored head that left behind minimal lacing; not at all what I expected. Looked more like a fruity mixed drink than beer. Aromas of damp towels, alcohol, and rotten candy seemed to come out; not appealing at all. The taste was somewhat malty, as might be expected, but also present was a pronounced astringent taste that was not pleasant or enjoyable. Fruit flavors came out as well, but they seemed out-of-place in that they did not work with the other flavors. The texture was oily and sticky and as a result was not flavorful enough or smooth enough to enjoy again and again.
Apr 11, 2006
Photo of Jacobier10
Reviewed by Jacobier10 from New Jersey

2.03/5  rDev -46.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 1.5
I will try my hardest not to bash this beer. Not because it is from NJ - like me - but because if you paired it up with some smoked meats it might not be that bad. But I will review this beer as I drank it, all by its lonesome without any form of smoked animal to match its flavor.

Appearance is not bad at all. Clear orange color with a light tan head. Decent retention, no lacing at all. The smell lets you know right away that the smoked malts are coming to party, and you better let them in or they're gonna kick your ass. Well, I'm not quite ready to let them in and I got my ass kicked pretty bad. I don't like the taste at all. Not even bearable in my opinion. It's just gross. Almost deserving of a drain pour. I decided to saddle up and stomach this beer all the way to the end. I did not enjoy it and will not buy it again. It REALLY smells and tastes like smoked meat. Don't get me wrong, I love smoked meat, just not in my beer.
Apr 06, 2006
Photo of crwills
Reviewed by crwills from Canada (ON)

3.64/5  rDev -4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3
Smoked beers make me happy. I don't drink them that often, but when I do I'm always fascinated by the flavours. Probably a craft beer newbie thing.

Cinderbock pours a dark, hazy amber with a nice, big bubbly head. I like it when smoked beers *look* smoky -- adds to the experience.

Not much aroma, unfortunately, although as it warms I can definitely pick up smoked meat and some charcoal, along with some mild fruitiness way back there somewhere.

Taste is -- of course -- interesting. Very smokey, like the rauchbiers I've had. Bacon, wood, smoke, and some burnt caramel. Crackery elements, pepper, and mild fruit (sour cherries?). Surprisingly high carbonation, nice smooth mouthfeel. An unusual spicy aftertaste that keeps me sipping.

The only smoked doppelbock I'm aware of, and definitely worth trying. I'll save my other bottle for sometime when I'm in the mood for something different.
Mar 26, 2006
Photo of beveragecaptain
Reviewed by beveragecaptain from New Jersey

4.17/5  rDev +10%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
12 ounce bottle. Heavyweight Cinderbock pours out a cloudy amber color with a small head. The aroma is slightly sweet and very smoky that makes me think of ham. The flavor is smoky, but in addition to the ham-like smokiness, there is also a charred smokiness that balances the malty sweetness. Although the smoke flavor is strong, lots of malt flavor comes through. Minimal hoppiness. Full mouthfeel. Good drinkability for a beer this smoky. Another fine Heavyweight beer.
Mar 19, 2006
Photo of NJpadreFan
Reviewed by NJpadreFan from New Jersey

2.45/5  rDev -35.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 2 | overall: 2
Heavyweight Cinderbock

Appearance- hazy brown tinted orange with a thin head/ no lacing.
Smell- smoked ham. Small woodchips; cedar, hickory, and cherry.
Taste- like a smoked ham sandwich. Sweet malt and a slight roasted hickory hop flavor.
Mouthfeel- smokey, like accidentally inhaling the campfire. Very sweet throughout.

Overall- No..No..No.. Just can't drink it. Sorry Heavyweight but smoked ham flavored beers are not my forte'. Just too smokey and too sweet. Might go well for those of you eating a big meaty meal, but not enjoyable otherwise.
Mar 07, 2006
Photo of MaltyGoodness
Reviewed by MaltyGoodness from Pennsylvania

3.59/5  rDev -5.3%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
12oz. bottle

Pours a slightly hazy orange-amber with a cream colored head that thins. Nice lacing on the glass.

Aroma of both sweet and smokey malt. Quite a unique and delicious aroma.

Taste is both sweet and smokey upfront. Quite a tasty blend. This is followed by a slightly cloying sweetness that lingers.

Body seems thin.

Quite drinkable, but just one in a sitting. The unique flavor is worth revisiting, but the sweetness keeps it from being sessionable.
Feb 07, 2006
Photo of TheLongBeachBum
Reviewed by TheLongBeachBum from California

4.23/5  rDev +11.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Presentation: Stumpy 12 ounce bottle sealed with a simple brass crown cap. Plastic main label seems like it is shrink wrapped onto the front of the bottle. Design looks like the BA avatar. The doe-eyed smoking goat look surprised. Listed at 7%

Appearance: Supreme looks, thick creamy white head suits atop the hazed copper-orange body. Intensely finely dissolved carbonation sprinkles the body when gently tipped. Light lacing is all over the exposed upper portions of the glass. Solid appearance.

Nose: Smoked hickory and a pugilist cinder Ginger toffee root fill the nose. A rich nasal massage when deeply inhaled.

Taste: Brandy snap entrance has a ginger laden smile that shadows hickory smoked malts. Middle has a thick smoky bacon feel with some sweet malts and a yeast fiddle that plays on two strings. Ends with a dry ginger root finish that has some bitterness in and amongst the sweet snappy ginger tubes.

Mouthfeel: Ginger ale presentation, the conditioning is prickly as is the overall feel of the carbonation and flavors. The ginger bread feel pulsates throughout the body of this one.

Drinkability: Rather unique and very interesting, English Ginger Ale meets German Bock beer. It works, and it works well for my money, and it is very drinkable to boot.

Overall: Today is today, like today was yesterday. But I’m a year older. Thanks to the lovely Erica for this Birthday treat. Good stuff!!
Feb 05, 2006
Photo of Franchise
Reviewed by Franchise from Oregon

4.15/5  rDev +9.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
This beer pours maroon and leaves a thin white lace. The nose is spectacular, so smokey just the right amount of smoke and sweetness in the nose. The body is clean, clear, with a small amount of yeast settled in the bottom of the glass. The taste starts on the palate smooth, def malty up front by design smoke infused bock. The taste on the palate then moves to a small lemon tartness on the palate, to a smoke presence that reminds me of eating some smoked meats almost savory funny what the nose can tell the tastebuds, then it finishes sweet with some caramel, toffee, and the smokiness you get from roasted nuts. Very complex and a pleasure to drink.
Feb 04, 2006
Photo of mentor
Reviewed by mentor from Colorado

3.52/5  rDev -7.1%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 2.5
Bottle provided by higravity, via SS'05. Thanks for the opportunity.

To start, who the F goes through the effort of making a doppelbock and then ruins it by including smoked malt? I'll try to review this objectively, but you know up front where I stand in regards to smoked beers.

Pours a two-finger fizzy almond head over a cloudy brown rust liquid. Smells sharp woody smoked grains. A little bit of sour brown tart cherry. Tastes sweet malty, yet tangy from the smoke...like a soured brown ale. Phenol is short and sharp, like the experience of fine and sharp carbonation. The smoke flavor comes across as an edge of funk, if you could slow it down. Dry woody. Md body and moderately carbonated. The beer is dominated by the smoke, so I'm not really fond of it.
Jan 24, 2006
Cinderbock from Heavyweight Brewing Co.
Beer rating: 85 out of 100 with 103 ratings