Dave's Double
Moon Hill Brewing Co. / Gardner Ale House

Growler fresh via ppoitras - thanks once again!

Pours a murky dark brown into my Einbecker Ur-Bock glass. A gorgeous light cocoa rises to an inch or so and then falls to remain a light cover on the brew - with a ruby glow to the brew when held to the light. Impressive enough.

Aromas of roasty toasty malt but nothing sticks out here. Aroma is nice but not able to pick this one apart. Taste is something different. Lots of bittersweet chocolate and toffee here. Carbonation seems to dance on the tongue like that blonde chick did at the Spearmint Rhino when I was in Vegas. You get a bit of hops in and out on this one but definitely a hint on the finish with a slight dryness to her.

Another vote for Gardner here. My goodness their brews do make me happy. I have to make it up there sometime soon!

Screw-cap growler filled at the brewpub.

Poured into an imperial pint glass, formed a 1/2" dark tan head over the slightly cloudy burgundy brown brew. Head fades gradually, leaving plenty of sticky lacing. Aroma is dark fruits, lightly vinous malts, and alcohol is noted. Taste starts with moderately sweet maltiness, next the fruitiness sashays in the door, and lastly the alcohol slips in the door. Smooth transitions each time. Mouthfeel is smooth, and drinkability is very nice as well. More approachable than many doubles.

This is by far one of the best all around Doppelbock that I have had in quite awhile. It is very well balanced and I only wish I had something better than chicken fingers to have paired it with. Not overly malty and just enough hops to make this a very drinkable beer even for beer fans that dont like a dark beer. Well worth the trip up to Gardner if only to try this beer, and definetly get it with a good peice of meat!!!!

Alewife and I hit Gardner today for some lunch and brews, at her urging. Must have been because their Doppelbock just came on-line! Hmmmm...

We each had a couple, served in a pint glass at $4.25 per. Poured a deep, clear mahogany, though it was a dense hue. Head was frothy but short, about 1/4", yet laced up a storm on the sides of the glass. Aroma wafting about consisted of malty caramel and toffee notes, though not overly strong. Minimal hopping evident in the nose. Body was steady at medium, though I wish it were fuller. Nonetheless, still rather smooth and easy over the tongue.

Flavor is replete with malty sweetness, with a nice, sharp bite to it alongside the caramel/toffee notes. It never gets cloying or sticky, though. Dave's is balanced nicely with a fine measure of floral hoppiness which hits the palate well at the finish, though in no way overshadowing the malt foundation. A smooth Doppel, and quite drinkable, with the 7% abv not playing too strong a role at all, at least not after 2 pints. More than that, you're on your own. Alewife liked it lots, and talked me into getting a growler to go ($11.00 plus tax for bier and new bottle).

Prosit!

overall: 4.1
appearance: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | mouthfeel: 4 | drinkability: 4

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