Alexander Supertramp
Black Mesa Brewing Co.

Good taste. Malty.

Nothing incredibly unique about this brew aside from the funky geometricity of its label; straightforward and delicious, it is exactly what one expects from a doppelbock.

 

 

 

Looks spot-on with two fat fingers of tan froth crowning a dark reddish-brown brew. Smells of caramel followed by ripened dark fruits and unexpectedly, obvious metallic notes. Fruity with plenty of caramel and licorice but a bit thin. Alcohol is barely noticed. Looking for more flavor and power but this one grows on ya' and ends up not a terribly bad outing either.

******

11/26/16

Either something has changed, or I just had no idea what I was talking about. Could be a little on the hot side now, but I am not griping because this has turned into (or always has been) a very fine Doppelbock. Glad I decided to revisit. Kudos Black Mesa!

Pours out to a thin head and murky dark amber. Aroma is toasty, malty and brown sugary with a touch of fruit. Flavor is rich and malty with an earthy bitterness and alcohol bite. Mouthfeel is full and warming. This is really a sipping and sharing beer.

 

 

 

 

Black Mesa has really stumbled upon some liquid gold here. The ale yeast seems like an odd choice, but it makes for an interesting and delicious flavor. This beer has a rich creamy texture and a high abv at around 10 %. The high abv leaves a nice warm feel and there are notes of caramel, nice toasty malts, and just the right amount of crispness on the tongue. They've managed to make a beer that has enough substance and flavor to hold it's own in the winter months, yet is still light enough to make for a satisfyingly dark summer brew.

Located Alexander Supertramp Doppelbock at Brown's Bottle Shop in Stillwater, OK. This beer is brewed and bottled by O'Fallon Brewing in O'Fallon, MO for Black Mesa. Set me back $12 or $13.

This beer bears the assumed name used by Christopher McCandless which he lifted from The Autobiography of a Super-Tramp by William H. Davies written in 1908. McCandless was an infamous American Hiker who made his way into the Alaskan wilderness of Denali National Park where, according to autopsy reports he died of starvation and exposure. Some say McCandless probably ate poison seeds or berries found in the area which may have lead to his death. So what's up with the name of this beer I ask. Should I worry?

We poured it on a very hot day outdoors into real English nonic pub glasses. An aggressive pour yields a single finger of light khaki foam which vanishes in a breath leaving a settled ring which produces scant lace. "Cold color" is a murky brown/bronze, but after rapid warming in 97F heat, the haze chill vanishes leaving a clarified orange/bronze color. Never seen that happen before.

Aromas are classic doppelbock - plum pudding, fig jam, sweet caramel apple, milk chocolate cake, vanilla cookie, and herbal earthy hops. Strong ABV creates some alcohol astringency.

Flavor follows the aroma - sweet malty caramel, simmering dark fruit, chocolate sponge cake, vanilla creme, and a mild hop sting on the finish. Alcohol evident, but not bad.

Medium-full body lends a hand to light creamy carbonation and a dry finish.

Overall, a very enjoyable doppelbock with plenty of ETOH kick. Would buy it again even though it may be a bit pricey.

I do wonder if they are ever gonna make their beer in state. The price of their offerings are way too high for what you get

Pours an effervescent orange/caramel with 2 fingers of sand colored head. Head drops off to zero quickly, faint lacing

S: Metallic notes & then faint brown bread, figgyness, some pear as well

T: Caramel & toasty notes, faint herbal hops, faint fig notes up front. Toffee, dryness, toastyness, still a little bit of metallic twang, a little brown sugar & some woody hops once warm, some figgy notes. Finishes figgy, with faint boozeynesss & toastyness

MF: Medium bodied, slight carbonation, warming, thickens up over time

Descent take on the style, would buy this again if the price was better. Drinks sort of slow due to the ABV & complexity

A - pours a dark pecan brown with highlights of plum/ruby color. A 1/4 inch head fades pretty quickly.

S - brown sugar, toasted dark bread, cola, nutty, hints of chocolate, grapes, currant, cider apples, berries, alcohol,

T - follows the nose with brown sugary base, toasted chocolate, nut bread, mixed fruits, earthy grassy hops bring balance the the sweet malts. Finishes warm and dry.

M - medium full body, low carbonation, warming.

Great stuff from Black Mesa. A high powered dopplebock with a good balance.