Doppelbock
Red Collar Brewing Co.

I was pleasantly surprised at the smoothness and texture of this 7.7% beer. I expected something a bit on the bitter side but it lands more on the sweet side. Loved it.

 

650ml bottle - again - WTF? A Lenten brew released in October? Screw your so-called 'writeup'!

This beer pours a clear (I think), very dark brown colour, with three fat-ass fingers of puffy, loosely foamy, and somewhat fizzy tan head, which leaves some streaky, thick lightning bolt lace around the glass as things very slowly sink away.

It smells of toasted wheat bread, grainy caramel malt, brown sugar syrup, a touch of black licorice, some subtle earthy yeastiness, a sense of free-range ash, and some plain leafy, weedy, and floral green hop bitters. The taste is lightly roasted, gritty and grainy pale malt, a lessened caramel sweetness, ethereal dark orchard fruity notes, some free-agent ashiness, more heavy brown sugar essences, and a put-upon earthy, leafy, and herbal hoppiness.

The bubbles are decently qualified for the task specified, via their sturdy frothiness, the body a solid medium weight, and sort of smooth, as the burnt and burgeoning booze essences start to have their say, and what they say, ain't really all that helpful right here. It finishes trending dry, which is a neat trick, given the huge amount of varied sweetness I've just detailed.

Overall, this is a more or less well-made version of the style, with perhaps a little too much smokiness, but that's ok, it jives well enough with the backyard fire pits so prevalent at this time of year - so maybe I'll just stop bitching about the timeliness of this offering, yeah?

A bit unconventional (36 IBU and FG~1.011), but I like it.

Pours a great head and leaves some lace. Silky smooth.

I'd lighten up the dark molasses flavour a bit, but otherwise a good brew.