Debilitator
Berwick Brewing Company

 

Thanks to Ffejherb for breaking out a growler of this one!

A-Brilliantly clear copper with a thin off-white head that reduced to a thin ring and left spotty lace.

S-Malt sweetness and toasted biscuit with a pleasant aroma of a fruit bowl with notes of plum, cherry and apricot.

T-Hefty malt body up front with sweet caramel, toasted biscuit and a touch of roast. Light notes of astringent blackstrap molasses combined with varied fruit notes and a subtle hint of smokiness makes this one quite interesting.

M-Medium bodied, smooth and slick with good lingering flavours and just a touch of alcohol heat upon warming.

D-Guy usually nails German styles and this one is no exception. A totally solid, easy to drink and enjoyable dopplebock. I could see myself putting down a few of these during the course of an evening.

Debilitator has a burnt orange colored body and a small ring of off-white head that manages to leave spotty lacing behind.

The aroma is quite nice, with toffee, caramel, bread, a little bit of spice and a little bit of fruit.

A light herbal hop flavor lingers in the finish of this beer, but besides that this one is all malt. Lightly sweet flavors come from caramel and toffee, as well as bread. I also notice a fairly strong flavor of toasted malt, which serves to add some dryness to the malt bill. A hint of spiciness hangs around, and the finish has a nice fruity finish. A hint of warmth rounds things out.

Medium bodied with a pretty average amount of carbonation. Manages a nice smooth feel.

Debilitator is the first Berwick Brewing beer that I have had the pleasure to try, and it is quite good. I love finding US brewed, high-quality German style beers, because for the most part imports don't hold up especially well.

Poured via growler on 1/23/11.

A - Emerged from the growler as a clear copper-toned liquid with deep amber hues and a slim off-white head that reduced to a thin ring of retention and faint spotty lacing.

S - Pleasantly sweet and malty aroma with plenty of sweet caramel and toffee notes as well as bready yeast, toast and a hint of spice. As the liquid warmed, a dark fruit character began to emerge, suggesting dried apricot and other pitted fruits.

T - Initial flavor is malty with lots of caramel, toffee and molasses. The dark fruit tang is subtle, suggesting mild dried pitted fruit. Finishes with a hint of spiciness (cinnamon?) with a faint hop bite paired with molasses bitterness.

M - Medium bodied with a syrupy texture and light carbonation. Alcohol remains well-concealed throughout, and provides just a light warming finish.

D - Debilitator is a solid Doppelbock all around and hides its alcohol masterfully. Keep these great German styles coming, Guy!

Thanks to Ffej for sharing a growler of this at a recent tasting.

Pours a dark golden amber/chestnut color with golden orange hues when held to a light source. One finger frothy off white head with good retention, slowly fading into a lasting ring. Sporadic spots of lacing left behind.

Slightly smokey aroma with hints of caramel, toffee. biscuit and hazelnut. Faint hops and bready yeast in the nose.

On the fuller end of medium body with a decent balance of zesty spice, sweet malt, alcohol and dark fruit. Hints of coriander, clove and pepper followed by sweet caramel malt with toffee and biscuit notes. Nice dark fruit flavor toward the finish, especially raisin and fig.