Wood Series: Pie Spice Doppelbock
Sunriver Brewing Company

another extraordinary beer in this series, always thought doppelbock lent itself well to barrels and fun ingredients, but its a style that doesnt get played with enough in my opinion, so this was especially exciting to me, sunriver is on a heater with these! like all of these, the base beer is awesome and that warrants mention. this is deep amber to chestnut colored in the glass, just off white loose head rises and settles back pretty quick, maybe just slightly light on the carbonation, but i like the pace anyway, its not too heavy, the alcohol is well hidden, the body isnt massive, and the residual sugar is only middle of the road, so this one still drinks, some low shine to it. the pie spice thing is such a good idea, and its awesome in the nose, instantly takes me to halloween time, warming and cozy and autumnal, with cinnamon and nutmeg character leading, but maybe also allspice, vanilla, and clove, even a cardamom floral aspect, not sure what all they use in here, but its great with the richer malts, caramel and toffee and bread pudding, concentrated and also still old worldy to me in this respect, lager yeast isnt much of an aromatic factor, hints of amaretto, roasted squash, and indeed very fine bourbon and sweet oak, super inviting and complex. the flavor is just as good, perfectly dosed and balance spice complexion that keeps moving across the palate, cinnamon warmth and the baked nature of the grain together are wonderful, nutmeg seems fresh and real and ramps up as this goes, alcohol is just a little bit warm, and the german nature of the base beer remains, brown sugar and maple late, again very autumnal, bourbon all through it, vanilla and toffee to it, newer oak profile to me, bright in that way, mature beer overall, really well aged. this is one of the highest evolutions of the pumpkin spice beer i have seen, not that its pumpkin or trying to be, but that fall spice complexion, its a leader, its smart, and its really well executed. loved this.