Smithanator Dopplebock
West Sixth Brewing Company

Sweet and savory, there's no better winter warming ale than the typical springtime double bock beer. Though its history connects it to the Easter and Lenten season, its sweet malts, savory melanoidins and powerful strength are most suited for snow, cold and fireplace settings.

Bright and mahogany in its appearance, golden threads sliver through, just underneath a broken and creamy froth. Toasty, nutty and honey-like, its sent is of fresh baked granola and a mild brandy-like tingle. Its taste is mouth-coating with savory toasted malts, bringing the masculine sweetness of molasses, toffee and sorghum.

As the lager opens up, its sweetness turns creamy and cakey while hints of dark fruit pull from the malts- plum, date, fig, raisin, prune and cherry all seem soaked in brandy for an offset of peppery spice, vinous bite and a bitterness of fruit skins. Toasty, nutty and trailing like butter pecan, its malt-centric finish has only a hint of peppery hops.

Full, sweet and rich with booze-infused sweetness, the beer drinks like fine cognac, but with a sweeter and more savory demeanor. Spicy to provide light numbing on the tongue, it's almost meaty in its brevity, while the beer lingers with toasted sweetness and a woodsy perfume of cedar.