Doppelbock
Fordham Brewing Company

DoppelbockDoppelbock
Beer Geek Stats | Print Shelf Talker
From:
Fordham Brewing Company
 
Delaware, United States
Style:
Doppelbock
ABV:
8%
Score:
82
Avg:
3.57 | pDev: 9.8%
Reviews:
29
Ratings:
45
Status:
Retired
Rated:
Dec 29, 2016
Added:
Jan 17, 2008
Wants:
  3
Gots:
  3
Dark & rich with a big beer taste, Doppelbock is an exceptionally smooth, full-bodied dark lager with a bold character that is sure to brighten your spirits.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by MaltistLupulist:
Photo of MaltistLupulist
Reviewed by MaltistLupulist from Maryland

3.43/5  rDev -3.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4
I got a four-pack of this to replace my stepfather's Spaten Optimator which I had ravaged whilst house- and turtle-sitting.

Poured into a wide-mouth glass. Appearance is a murky, translucent ruby/copper with virtually no head. What initially appears to be some faint lacing has no staying power, and after a few moments only the naked liquid remains. At first I couldn't help but think that my drink looked kind of ugly, especially with some miserable strands of would-be foam floating on the surface, but once I put it up to the light and assessed it closely, it looked respectable enough.

Upon first whiff I detect a vague fruity sweetness of a minimally processed variety, but this quickly fades. I was hoping to identify these scents more precisely, but as early as the second attempt at doing so I was left with a seemingly odorless beverage. That first whiff didn't seem like much at the time, but in frustrating retrospect gave me all I had to work with, and seemed relatively intense.

These early foibles are somewhat excused upon my first taste: raisins, currants, and prunes to a pleasing if somewhat timid degree (I wouldn't mind a more assertively fruity profile) with some molasses and noticeable though far from offensive alcohol, particularly in the finish. Not an especially complex or smooth brew; the flavor scores points (relative to the aroma) just for showing up, but is abrasively sweet, almost as if a sachetful or three of Domino were stirred into a glass of prune juice.

Mouthfeel is a bit forgettable: light-to-medium bodied, minimal carbonation. As another reviewer mentioned, it's rather watery and if you're the kind of drinker who prefers your beer to coat your mouth, you'll be left feeling a bit cheated. I'm doubtful that this one meets the "meal in a glass" criterion for the style.

Sweetness notwithstanding, drinkability is conversely quite high.

A decent enough interpretation of the style, although next time I think I'll just reach for another Optimator.
Aug 18, 2009
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 4 by kgammell1 from Maryland

Dec 29, 2016
 
Rated: 3.75 by rfgetz from New Jersey

Jan 17, 2016
 
Rated: 4 by wrightst from Maryland

Jul 11, 2014
 
Rated: 3.75 by briandaube from Delaware

Jul 02, 2014
 
Rated: 4 by JamieDuncan from Maryland

Jan 19, 2014
 
Rated: 3.5 by BillRoth from Maryland

Dec 15, 2013
 
Rated: 4 by TrickkyGangsta from Florida

Dec 29, 2012
Photo of Knapp85
Reviewed by Knapp85 from Pennsylvania

3.41/5  rDev -4.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
This poured out as a very dark brown color. The head was a cream color, the retention and lacing are minimal. The smell of the beer had a slight roasted aroma along some earthy yeast and hop aromas. The taste of this beer had some caramel notes as well as the subtle grassy and roasted flavors. The mouthfeel is medium bodied with a dry carbonation to it. Overall the beer is good, I would like it to be a little fuller in body. It's a good brew though and glad I tried it.
Dec 16, 2012
 
Rated: 3.75 by dsshuck from Delaware

Dec 06, 2012
Photo of woodychandler
Reviewed by woodychandler from Pennsylvania

3.98/5  rDev +11.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
My man, local in-person trader, Tone77 brought this by for me and I see that his review will be right below mine. Many thanks!

From the bottle: "Dark & rich with a big beer taste, Doppelbock is an exceptionally smooth, full-bodied dark lager with a bold character that is sure to brighten your spirits. Doppelbock is brewed with strict adherence to the Reinheitsgebot, the Bavarian Purity Law of 1516."

I got a finger of fizzy, mocha-brown head from my pour, but alack and alas, it did not hold up for very long. Color was a deep dark-brown with ruby/garnet highlights. Nose was rich and malty, very caramel and chocolate. Mouthfeel was medium and the taste was initially hot, followed by a rich caramel flavor that I began to doubt my sanity at having begun the day with this one. Warming, it took on more of a toffee/molasses flavor. The heat remained evident on the finish and I was beginning to contemplate lying back down after this. Proceed with caution at your own risk!
Oct 28, 2012
Photo of tone77
Reviewed by tone77 from Pennsylvania

3.65/5  rDev +2.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Poured from a brown 12 oz. bottle. Has a very dark brown color with a 1/2 inch head. Smell is malty, some sweetness. Taste is also big on malts, bready, some caramel, alcohol is present. Feels medium bodied in the mouth and overall makes for a quality beer.
Jul 31, 2012
Photo of DrJay
Reviewed by DrJay from Texas

3.6/5  rDev +0.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
Clear and brown with a slight tawny collar and a skim of fine bubbles coating the surface. Grainy aroma with notes of caramel sweetness. Low bitterness up front with significant sweetness and a hint of hops in the background. Full bodied and decent texture. Overall it's pretty good.
Jul 13, 2012
 
Rated: 3.75 by Ankur from Maryland

May 18, 2012
Photo of tempest
Reviewed by tempest from New York

3.6/5  rDev +0.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
The label says 8.4% and bottled on 11/14/11. It has some of the traditional dark fruit and caramel malt aroma, with a licorice edge. But the flavor is a little more American and clean, with toffee and a little cocoa barley over a hint of cherry. As the beer warms, I taste some higher alcohols, but otherwise this is a fine stab at the doppelbock style. I'd drink it alongside a Spaten Optimator any day (though this has more body.
May 09, 2012
 
Rated: 4 by cjbeckman from North Carolina

Apr 15, 2012
 
Rated: 3.5 by WreckDiver from Pennsylvania

Apr 11, 2012
 
Rated: 3.25 by acurtis from New Jersey

Mar 31, 2012
 
Rated: 3.75 by Noflies

Mar 31, 2012
 
Rated: 4 by fiedler84 from Pennsylvania

Feb 25, 2012
Doppelbock from Fordham Brewing Company
Beer rating: 82 out of 100 with 45 ratings