Ring Modulator
Community Beer Works

 

another cool can sent from my buddy back east in a heady box of beers, my wife and i are huge fans of this style, so it was a fun one to crack after a tough evening of physical work. its got a ton of flavor and depth, is quite authentic, not too sweet, and packed with earthy, leathery, umami grain richness. i am surprised by how frothy headed this pours, a pretty live one for the style, with a shiny deep brown body, more viscous than some. it smells like molasses and brown sugar melting, with a hint of soy, birch syrup, and even a mushroom earthiness, really pretty wet and soil forward, a unique cook to these grains, and lots of them! the flavor is more balanced, the yeast really contributes here, adding a german soul and a little breadiness to the dense malt soup. definitely some soy in the taste, a touch of maple too, but not overtly sweet as these go, tons of body slowing it down though and for all the head, less carbonation in suspension than i would ideally like. i do love the malt layers as it warms and taste a little something more with each sip, rum, amarone wine, raisin, fig, even like full fat cream butter for a flash, but not a flaw. overall this is both traditional and unique, definitely unmistakably a dopplebock, but also different than others. enjoyable and big, need to get some more community beers when i am back east this summer!