Draft Lab #8 Dunkelbock
Blackberry Farm Brewery

 

this draft lab series of beers they have going is awesome. its a cool and enlightening departure from the saisons and belgian types they are known for, and it really shows what they are capable of as a brewery. this is a very solid german bock lager type, bronze in color with nice clarity and some obvious body under a fast rising white head, pretty in the glass. the malt character is really robust here, toasted with notes of honey and gooey caramel dessert, copper and metal, very earthy too, big for what it is. the lager yeast is nice, cuts through much of the sugar, and makes it taste classically german, clean even though its not perfectly dry, and enhances the baked and bready heartiness of the grains, great relationship between those elements on display here. its still a bit heavy to drink on, lots of body and grain character, more autumn than spring for sure in terms of flavors and texture, but clean for the style not nearly as heavy as many. a little alcohol warmth at the end as the style permits, a slow fade at the end, and a full belly. good beer, hearty stuff, unique for these guys and very true to style!