Dopplebock
Grindstone Brewing Co.

On tap. Poured a dark, dark brown color with a small, off-white head of foam. It smelled of caramel, toffee and not much else. Very sweet and cloying with almost no balancing bitterness.

Grindstone is one of the two brewpubs in my hometown, so I really want to like it, and want it to succeed. That said, this doppelbock in no way tastes like any doppelbock I have ever had from Germany, or the U.S.. I have drunk every available "-ator" German brew out there, as well as doppels from Bell's, Saxer, Sam Adams, Tommyknocker's, and many brewpubs around the country. Grindstone's doppelbock is very muck like a stout - dominated by dark malt, roastiness, bitter chocolate, and coffee notes. The only aspects of it appropriate to a doppelbock are smoothness, and a slight sweetness in the final aftertaste. In fact, I would go so far as to say that it's very similar to their own stout (which is a solid stout for a brewpub).
I asked, and was assured that I had indeed been poured a doppel. I was told that the stout had been previously taken off tap, so there was no chance of a mistake.
I don't object to brewers putting their unique twist on a style, and I encourage brewers to push the envelope, but this beer has crossed over to a completely different style. I enjoyed the beer, but it was a disappointment for the style, hence, my low marks. Had this beer been labeled a stout or a porter, my scores would be higher.
Other notes: appearance was near-black, with a minimal, short-lived head and no lacing. Alcohol, even as it warmed, was not perceptible to me. That's interesting at 8% ABV. I personally would prefer an alcohol burn in a beer like this, to remind me that I am drinking a "big" beer and to slow down and enjoy it.

After sampling several of our favorites at Grindstone Brewpub in Columbia, Mo we filled on of the three growlers with brewer Taz Pfefer's fine Dopplebock.

The 8% ABV is very well hidden in this beauty that pours nearly black - letting strong sunlite pass with ruby glints. The dense brown head rises holds and slowly fall leaving lace. A chocolate aroma with fruity hightlights are outstanding and I find myself trying to breath-in the beer rather than drink it. Excellent complex taste with a medium to full chewy mouthfeel. Carbonation is appropriate for style and hangs around till the end. One of the most drinkable dopplebocks that I have experienced. I first tasted this from the fermentor. Later from the tap. This beauty travels well. The expertly filled growler held for 2 days was tap fresh. We will share the third tonight.