Groundhog Doppelbock
Carolina Brewing Company

Had this on tap at the Flying Saucer in Raleigh.

Served in a pint glass, it had just minimal head and very slight lacing. Very dark brown with little light showing through.

Smelled sweet and malty; what you would expect in a dopplebock. I couldn't pick out any particular aromas, such as molasses, other than perhaps a slight caramel smell.

The taste was good. Sweet, slightly caramel taste. A bit one-dimensional flavorwise, but good.

Very little carbonation, but not overly heavy mouthfeel, and not too syrupy. Definitely less syrupy than a Sam Adams Double Bock. Didn't notice a strong alcohol content.

Overall a very drinkable doppelbock, and one that I would have again.

12oz single, bottled 1/25/06, shipped courtesy of blackie

appearance: pours a very dark amber-mahogany, tinted ruby...small tan head and some slight lacing around the rim...It's a nice looking dopple but its a lot darker than some other I have had lately

smell: lots of strong malty aromas, chocolate covered cherries, plum and other dark fruit, raisin, fig, smooth caramel, lots of sweetness...slightly spiced hops underneath

taste: very sweet...lots of interesting fruit like cherry, plum, apple...raisin, fig, a little nutty, caramel...slight bitterness. heavy malt backbone with a defined chocolate attribute. This is an enjoyable, above average doppelbock, but its not really moving

mouthfeel: medium-light body, moderate carbonation, slick

drinkability: very drinkable

The beer arrived on the bar clear amber with a low white head which retreated to the edge of the glass but worked hard to try and lace it.

The aroma was malty with caramel and a good malt presence. Their was some dark fruit character of raisins in the aroma.

The flavor was fruity with a malty flavor and an almost cherry flavor. The bittering in the beer was a bit high for the style and fairly prevalent. The fruit flavors were dark fruits like raisins.

The finish was even with a lasting dark fruit and malt flavor into the aftertaste. The body was just above medium and nicely done. Malty and estery with lasting fruit character and an estery cherry presence.

Pint at 42nd Street.

From the CBC beer announcement:
Hello friends of the furry rodent,
We have the celebratory beer ready to go. Be prepared this Groundhog holiday season with your very own CBC Groundhog 2006 Doppelbock. The Doppelbock or 'Double' Bock is our second high alcohol offering since the 6% limit was lifted. It is a rich, malty, smooth, dark brown, German lager beer with a slightly warm finish from the high alcohol content (6.9% by vol). It is made from pale, munich, caramel and chocolate malts and Hallertau hops.

appearance: The pour into my imperial pint creates a .6" khaki head that slowly recedes. Some chunky islands of carbonation cling to the sides of the glass throughout the experience. The beer is a reddish mahogany in color.

smell: The aroma is moderately sweet. I first notice a toasted nuttiness, which is accompanied by very light roast and chocolate flavors...and a nice dose of caramel. A generous scent of clean, slightly spicy noble hops rounds out the aroma.

mouthfeel: The carbonation is just under medium, and has a smooth feel to it. The body is between light and the lower medium range.

taste: Similar to the aroma in some ways. Considerable nutty and toasty flavors grace the tongue. Not too sweet at all, but definately malty. Light chocolate flavors give some depth, followed by some caramel and noble hop flavor. A gentle hop bitterness lingers into the finish with some hints of toast.

drinkability: well done, and easily drinkable.

Picked up a case from the brewery on my way to the woods, and I'm glad I did. This beer is only one day in the bottle, as the bottling date printed on the label reads 01/25/06.