Immolator Doppelbock Winter Beer
Dry Dock Brewing Co.

 

DD's first beer in a bottle, this won a 3-way popularity competition against a cherry belgian pale and a wee heavy. I was there on the voting day and it earned my vote.

This is an authentic Bavarian-style doppelbock that was brewed with the same ingredients the Germans use. It's even using a monastic yeast, although I haven't been able to find out which one it is.

Pours a copper-ish brown color with reddish highlights. With a normal pour the foam is bigger than you might expect for a doppel of this potency.

The profile of this beer is one that crosses the lines on both doppelbock variations. In general, doppels tend to be either straight-ahead malty (like Salvator) or a mix of malt with chocolate and dried fruits (Celebrator). This brew has hints of both variations. It starts off caramel-infused and malty, but there are hints of chocolate, fruit cake, and a finish with just the right amount of hop character to balance it. I'd say it reminds me a lot of Spaten Optimator, which also walks this line rather well.

The foam on this beer sticks around better than many German ones I've had, especially noteworthy because it's a hair stronger than most, too.

There's a tiny bit of heat to Immolator (the name's appropriate), but nothing too crazy.

A great take on the style, and one of if not the best US example I've had. The initial draft offering was potentially even a tiny bit better, but that could've been the atmosphere influencing that opinion.

I look forward to this beer being around again. Hopefully for Stakbierzeit!

Of special note - Dry Dock's first bottled beer you could get in stores (well, one store that is).

A - Light brown with a tan head. Appears fairly carbonated. Head shrinks to a thin coating. A little lacing on the glass.

S - Toasted bread notes. Fairly light on the scent.

T - The toasted but sweet maltiness. Slight bitterness in the finish but the malts are what is really present. The hop bitterness seems to increase as I drink the beer and keep trying to examine the flavors. A hint of spice is tasted though the label lists no such additions.

M - Smooth and refreshing. The hop aftertaste doesn't linger that much while the malts seem to stick around.

D - Very drinkable. The amount of alcohol is deceptive though so watch how much you have.