EKU 28 | Kulmbacher Brauerei AG
Brewed by:
Kulmbacher Brauerei AG
Germany | website
Style: Doppelbock
Alcohol by volume (ABV): 11.00%
Availability: Year-round
Notes / Commercial Description:
A super-strong Bock, but not an Eisbock.
Added by BeerAdvocate on 08-16-2001
Reviews: 456 | Ratings: 687
4.3/5 rDev +9.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
When this beer was poured it looked more like an Irish red ale than a Dopplebock. It also had a thin beige head which disapated quickly.
The beer had a very sweet, malty aroma.
The initial taste is quite sweet, but the toasted malty tones that you would expect from a Dopplebock are also present. In the middle the maltiness and caramel notes fade and a nutty flavor appears and lingers until the sheer sweetness of the beer overpowers it. At the end the sugary sweetness begins to worm on the tongue and is joined by the strong, but not overpowering presence of the alcohol tingling the tongue.
The mouthfeel is smooth, but not as substantial as you would expect from a Dopplebock. There is also the recurring tingling sensation as the alcohol seems to evaporate on the tongue.
Overall, this is an interesting Dopplebock. It is not as complex or substantial as a Celebrator, and not as straightforward as a Spaten. It is extremely sweet, which is not to be interpreted as bad... Just different for this style. Be careful with this one because it could go down fast, and it packs 11% abv.
★ 1,097 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
When this beer was poured it looked more like an Irish red ale than a Dopplebock. It also had a thin beige head which disapated quickly.
The beer had a very sweet, malty aroma.
The initial taste is quite sweet, but the toasted malty tones that you would expect from a Dopplebock are also present. In the middle the maltiness and caramel notes fade and a nutty flavor appears and lingers until the sheer sweetness of the beer overpowers it. At the end the sugary sweetness begins to worm on the tongue and is joined by the strong, but not overpowering presence of the alcohol tingling the tongue.
The mouthfeel is smooth, but not as substantial as you would expect from a Dopplebock. There is also the recurring tingling sensation as the alcohol seems to evaporate on the tongue.
Overall, this is an interesting Dopplebock. It is not as complex or substantial as a Celebrator, and not as straightforward as a Spaten. It is extremely sweet, which is not to be interpreted as bad... Just different for this style. Be careful with this one because it could go down fast, and it packs 11% abv.
★ 1,097 characters
3.95/5 rDev +0.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
Reviewed in Roger Protz' "300 Beers To Try Before You Die!"
Listed in the "1001 Beers To Taste Before You Die", my review and possible re-rating comes after I Have this again.
★ 175 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
Reviewed in Roger Protz' "300 Beers To Try Before You Die!"
Listed in the "1001 Beers To Taste Before You Die", my review and possible re-rating comes after I Have this again.
★ 175 characters
4.78/5 rDev +21.9%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.75
Poured from an 11.2 OZ bottle into a tulip glass. The appearance is a light copper color with a small off-white head. The aroma is a very nice blend of malt, fruit and alcohol. The taste is big on fruit with some malt.
★ 221 characters
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.75
Poured from an 11.2 OZ bottle into a tulip glass. The appearance is a light copper color with a small off-white head. The aroma is a very nice blend of malt, fruit and alcohol. The taste is big on fruit with some malt.
★ 221 characters
3.96/5 rDev +1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Beautifully done strong beer from one of Germany’s old breweries. Eisbock in particular is a specialty of Kulmbac, and this one is a joy to drink. Aroma of toffee, similar to a Belgian strong ale, and taste is also sweet like toffee, with a slight hint at the alcohol content. Nice for a winter’s evening....Cheers!
★ 319 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Beautifully done strong beer from one of Germany’s old breweries. Eisbock in particular is a specialty of Kulmbac, and this one is a joy to drink. Aroma of toffee, similar to a Belgian strong ale, and taste is also sweet like toffee, with a slight hint at the alcohol content. Nice for a winter’s evening....Cheers!
★ 319 characters
3.88/5 rDev -1%
look: 3 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Bottle date info: 2517194
Dark, brownish-copper hued body; coarse carbonation rising with a foamy, thin and wispy, off-white head. Richly aromatic with caramel and dark roasted malts; sweet; nutty; a sense of alcohol deep within. Heavy caramel flavors infused with a nice counterbalancing boozy quality. Heavy body; chewy and oily; warm.
Taste-wise, this is a pretty decent doppelbock. It's too bad that the head really disappears completely after a few minutes. The alcohol burn also could be backed off a notch though is needed somewhat to keep the sugary sweetness from becoming cloying. It's got depth with the flavor but comes across awkwardly for the overall balance. Still, this is one to try for this particular style.
★ 729 characters
look: 3 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Bottle date info: 2517194
Dark, brownish-copper hued body; coarse carbonation rising with a foamy, thin and wispy, off-white head. Richly aromatic with caramel and dark roasted malts; sweet; nutty; a sense of alcohol deep within. Heavy caramel flavors infused with a nice counterbalancing boozy quality. Heavy body; chewy and oily; warm.
Taste-wise, this is a pretty decent doppelbock. It's too bad that the head really disappears completely after a few minutes. The alcohol burn also could be backed off a notch though is needed somewhat to keep the sugary sweetness from becoming cloying. It's got depth with the flavor but comes across awkwardly for the overall balance. Still, this is one to try for this particular style.
★ 729 characters
4.3/5 rDev +9.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
From a 330 ml bottle (code says 2329182) into a snifter.
A-A normal pour produces about a finger of tan head that fades quickly and leaves a collar around the glass. No lacing. The beer is medium amber in color with no carbonation to be seen through the clear liquid. Attractive hue, but kinda ho-hum.
S-The aroma is, as you might expect, quite malty. I mostly sniff light colored honey, bruleed bananas, golden raisin, and some syrup notes. Not much dark fruit to be found here. There are hints of grainy, alcohol spice too. For a beer this big, alcohol is warming instead of in your face.
T-The taste is similar to the smell. Golden raisin, caramel, bruleed banana, toffee, and a lot of general sweetness. There is a bit of spice and alcohol warmth, but nothing hot or intrusive. After the initial sweetness onslaught, the finish fades to a medicinal, herbal alcohol on the palate. Very nice.
M-The body on this beer is big and the carbonation is mellow and creamy. It might be a little syrupy for some, but I think it fits this style well.
O-A nice beer that really represents what a big, malty, German brew can do. It obviously lacks the bells and whistles of a modern BA stout or barleywine or whatever, but there is no denying this is a great tasting and complex brew.
★ 1,279 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
From a 330 ml bottle (code says 2329182) into a snifter.
A-A normal pour produces about a finger of tan head that fades quickly and leaves a collar around the glass. No lacing. The beer is medium amber in color with no carbonation to be seen through the clear liquid. Attractive hue, but kinda ho-hum.
S-The aroma is, as you might expect, quite malty. I mostly sniff light colored honey, bruleed bananas, golden raisin, and some syrup notes. Not much dark fruit to be found here. There are hints of grainy, alcohol spice too. For a beer this big, alcohol is warming instead of in your face.
T-The taste is similar to the smell. Golden raisin, caramel, bruleed banana, toffee, and a lot of general sweetness. There is a bit of spice and alcohol warmth, but nothing hot or intrusive. After the initial sweetness onslaught, the finish fades to a medicinal, herbal alcohol on the palate. Very nice.
M-The body on this beer is big and the carbonation is mellow and creamy. It might be a little syrupy for some, but I think it fits this style well.
O-A nice beer that really represents what a big, malty, German brew can do. It obviously lacks the bells and whistles of a modern BA stout or barleywine or whatever, but there is no denying this is a great tasting and complex brew.
★ 1,279 characters
4.53/5 rDev +15.6%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Lovely caramel color, carbonation seems to be high, but no head at all. Smell us somewhat non-existent. Taste is quite surprising and delightful. Almost has a slight apple cider finish. Hard to believe this is 11%
★ 213 characters
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Lovely caramel color, carbonation seems to be high, but no head at all. Smell us somewhat non-existent. Taste is quite surprising and delightful. Almost has a slight apple cider finish. Hard to believe this is 11%
★ 213 characters
3.94/5 rDev +0.5%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Appearance: Clear, copper color with one finger of head that fades with little lacing.
Aroma: Sweet malt, a little molasses, ripe tree fruit and raisins.
Taste: Lots of sweet malty goodness, a little boozy, port wine fruitiness, a little toasted, nutty malt lingers into the finish.
The Rest: Creamy but not sticky, low carbonation, pretty drinkable. Really good!
★ 371 characters
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Appearance: Clear, copper color with one finger of head that fades with little lacing.
Aroma: Sweet malt, a little molasses, ripe tree fruit and raisins.
Taste: Lots of sweet malty goodness, a little boozy, port wine fruitiness, a little toasted, nutty malt lingers into the finish.
The Rest: Creamy but not sticky, low carbonation, pretty drinkable. Really good!
★ 371 characters
4.5/5 rDev +14.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Pretty much like liquid bread. Rides that super fine line of big malt character, sweetness and alcohol taste, which is pretty subdued given the high gravity. Much prefer this to Samichlaus.
★ 189 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Pretty much like liquid bread. Rides that super fine line of big malt character, sweetness and alcohol taste, which is pretty subdued given the high gravity. Much prefer this to Samichlaus.
★ 189 characters
4.03/5 rDev +2.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Pours is a clear copper. Small off white head that doesn't linger.
Smell is of raisins, prunes and dates. Residual caramel sugar lingers in the background. Sweetness present on the nose, but not overpowering.
Taste is fairly close to the nose. Raisins and dark candied fruits upfront, followed by a lingering sweetness and slight booze warmth. Caramel melds in nicely on the finish.
Mouthfeel has a nice heft to it without being heavy. As clear as the beer is, the senses are slightly confused and the weight of the beer is surprising yet welcomed.
Overall a great representation of the style.
★ 598 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Pours is a clear copper. Small off white head that doesn't linger.
Smell is of raisins, prunes and dates. Residual caramel sugar lingers in the background. Sweetness present on the nose, but not overpowering.
Taste is fairly close to the nose. Raisins and dark candied fruits upfront, followed by a lingering sweetness and slight booze warmth. Caramel melds in nicely on the finish.
Mouthfeel has a nice heft to it without being heavy. As clear as the beer is, the senses are slightly confused and the weight of the beer is surprising yet welcomed.
Overall a great representation of the style.
★ 598 characters
3.96/5 rDev +1%
look: 3.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Pours a clear dark orange-brown with a foamy tan head that settles to wisps of film on top of the beer. Small dots of lace drip into the remaining beer on the drink down. Smell is of toasted malt, caramel, brown sugar, and dark fruit aromas. Taste is much the same with toast, caramel, dark fruit, and raisin flavors on the finish. There is a mild amount of toast bitterness and an alcohol kick on the palate with each sip. This beer has a good level of carbonation with a crisp mouthfeel. Overall, this is a good beer with solid aromas and rich and boozy flavors.
Serving type: bottle.
★ 588 characters
look: 3.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Pours a clear dark orange-brown with a foamy tan head that settles to wisps of film on top of the beer. Small dots of lace drip into the remaining beer on the drink down. Smell is of toasted malt, caramel, brown sugar, and dark fruit aromas. Taste is much the same with toast, caramel, dark fruit, and raisin flavors on the finish. There is a mild amount of toast bitterness and an alcohol kick on the palate with each sip. This beer has a good level of carbonation with a crisp mouthfeel. Overall, this is a good beer with solid aromas and rich and boozy flavors.
Serving type: bottle.
★ 588 characters
3.27/5 rDev -16.6%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.25
Nothin' like a big ol doppy-bock on a hot summer day...
A - 330ml poured to a Westy chalice of sorts. Color is kind of a dark orange/brownish, small off-white head forms and fades to a slight ring quite quickly, and later nothingness.
S - Dark bread, leafiness, caramel-drizzled apricot, brown sugar, some banana, strongish alcohol. On the faint side but pretty nice and interesting.
T - First thing noticeable in the taste is alcohol and quite a bit of it. Lots of caramel, toast, fruit, and some nutty malt. Kind of a rum feel to it. Good but seems like there's less flavors/more booze-fusels going on here than the nose.
M - Definitely malty but really isn't very smooth considering the style. Lots of foamy carbonation, big warming alcohol is kind of a flavor in itself but pretty distracting overall. 330 solo goes slooow.
O - I kind of like the idea of ultra-warming sipper 11% doppelbocks, but the malts here just don't stand up to the alcohol presence. Decent but just plain hot, and/therefore pretty plain flavors as well. Ironically their eisbock is much smoother and less ABV.
★ 1,092 characters
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.25
Nothin' like a big ol doppy-bock on a hot summer day...
A - 330ml poured to a Westy chalice of sorts. Color is kind of a dark orange/brownish, small off-white head forms and fades to a slight ring quite quickly, and later nothingness.
S - Dark bread, leafiness, caramel-drizzled apricot, brown sugar, some banana, strongish alcohol. On the faint side but pretty nice and interesting.
T - First thing noticeable in the taste is alcohol and quite a bit of it. Lots of caramel, toast, fruit, and some nutty malt. Kind of a rum feel to it. Good but seems like there's less flavors/more booze-fusels going on here than the nose.
M - Definitely malty but really isn't very smooth considering the style. Lots of foamy carbonation, big warming alcohol is kind of a flavor in itself but pretty distracting overall. 330 solo goes slooow.
O - I kind of like the idea of ultra-warming sipper 11% doppelbocks, but the malts here just don't stand up to the alcohol presence. Decent but just plain hot, and/therefore pretty plain flavors as well. Ironically their eisbock is much smoother and less ABV.
★ 1,092 characters
4.87/5 rDev +24.2%
look: 5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
L: Pours brilliant amber gold under a 3” off-white foam collar that dissipates to a thin film.
S: Rich bread, malt spice, light spice from hops, alcohol.
T: A big malty presence and big alcohol struggle for balance with light spice from grains and hops observing from the sidelines.
F: Full body and below average carbonation.
O: A wonderful, massive beer with big robust flavor and alcohol.
★ 397 characters
look: 5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
L: Pours brilliant amber gold under a 3” off-white foam collar that dissipates to a thin film.
S: Rich bread, malt spice, light spice from hops, alcohol.
T: A big malty presence and big alcohol struggle for balance with light spice from grains and hops observing from the sidelines.
F: Full body and below average carbonation.
O: A wonderful, massive beer with big robust flavor and alcohol.
★ 397 characters
4.5/5 rDev +14.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
This was one of first beers that I bought as a "just to try" awhile ago (before I became a member) and I had remembered it as just being a strong beer though I do remember liking it.
However, since I had had a multitude of beers since then, I decided that I needed to try it again to give it a proper rating. As you can tell from the rating, I do still like it quite a bit, though I'm not 100% on the doppelbock classification. It could be that I haven't had enough doppelbocks to truly grasp the category or it could be that this is just in a category of its own (I would lean that way).
It's not really all that sweet until you get to almost the very end of the swallow and then a bit of bitterness sticks around for a little while on the aftertaste. In all honesty it doesn't have much of a taste up front as all of the action seems to happen toward the end of each drink as it's not until the aftertaste that you truly get the flavor and an appreciation of the malt. It's a very interesting and complex beer.
★ 1,020 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
This was one of first beers that I bought as a "just to try" awhile ago (before I became a member) and I had remembered it as just being a strong beer though I do remember liking it.
However, since I had had a multitude of beers since then, I decided that I needed to try it again to give it a proper rating. As you can tell from the rating, I do still like it quite a bit, though I'm not 100% on the doppelbock classification. It could be that I haven't had enough doppelbocks to truly grasp the category or it could be that this is just in a category of its own (I would lean that way).
It's not really all that sweet until you get to almost the very end of the swallow and then a bit of bitterness sticks around for a little while on the aftertaste. In all honesty it doesn't have much of a taste up front as all of the action seems to happen toward the end of each drink as it's not until the aftertaste that you truly get the flavor and an appreciation of the malt. It's a very interesting and complex beer.
★ 1,020 characters
4.47/5 rDev +14%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
Malt and alcohol. Sweet, but not overly so. Proves that you don't need to cram a ton of hops into a beer to make it tasty and satisfying. If there was a such thing as Samichlaus Light, I imagine it would taste like this. Try it if you can find it.
★ 247 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
Malt and alcohol. Sweet, but not overly so. Proves that you don't need to cram a ton of hops into a beer to make it tasty and satisfying. If there was a such thing as Samichlaus Light, I imagine it would taste like this. Try it if you can find it.
★ 247 characters
4.58/5 rDev +16.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75
Whoa. This must be a beer like no other. I'll let everyone else pick out the details, this beer is underrated, the brothers have it right. World class. The nose is...beer! We spend hours coming up with adjectives and descriptors for all sorts of brews while 28 just flat out nails it. It smells like beer, it tastes like beer- sweet, sharp, grain, and booze. It packs of punch of alcohol that seems to carry a tiny note of every beer you've ever had. It's plenty thick on the palate and more complex than most. German copper totes the load, this ones a stud.
★ 566 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75
Whoa. This must be a beer like no other. I'll let everyone else pick out the details, this beer is underrated, the brothers have it right. World class. The nose is...beer! We spend hours coming up with adjectives and descriptors for all sorts of brews while 28 just flat out nails it. It smells like beer, it tastes like beer- sweet, sharp, grain, and booze. It packs of punch of alcohol that seems to carry a tiny note of every beer you've ever had. It's plenty thick on the palate and more complex than most. German copper totes the load, this ones a stud.
★ 566 characters
5/5 rDev +27.6%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
Pours a light copper color with very little off white head that clings to side of glass
Smell of alcohol but not over powering. Some melanoiden malt, slight fruitiness and no hop presence.
Taste of fruity, melanoiden malt, can tell the alcohol is there but definitely well masked. Almost no hop flavor
Very chewy beer. Medium low carbonation with some warming from the alchoho. Pleasant aftertaste.
I absolutely love this beer. An epitome of the style and the high alcohol is so well masked which is what I love in high gravity brews like this one. Fantastic job on this one.
★ 583 characters
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
Pours a light copper color with very little off white head that clings to side of glass
Smell of alcohol but not over powering. Some melanoiden malt, slight fruitiness and no hop presence.
Taste of fruity, melanoiden malt, can tell the alcohol is there but definitely well masked. Almost no hop flavor
Very chewy beer. Medium low carbonation with some warming from the alchoho. Pleasant aftertaste.
I absolutely love this beer. An epitome of the style and the high alcohol is so well masked which is what I love in high gravity brews like this one. Fantastic job on this one.
★ 583 characters
4.34/5 rDev +10.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5
Poured from the bottle into a Libbey style pilsner glass. CRUNCH, what the hell? Friggin bottle lip cracks when I open it!! First strained it slowly a little bit into the glass. Took one whiff... yikes... well so much for that idea. Grabbed another glass and poured it into that one.
Great light looking doppel. Perfect caramel red with a slapping sound coming out of the bottle though. Faint tan head barely a finger, but manage to keep a good sized collar.
Real nice light aroma. Seems small, but a waffery toffee angle that is really nice. Mild sensing clove and great spicy hints of nutmeg and clove. Soft, but hints towards a much lighter beer it seems.
Took just a few sips, all that needed. Great tasting notes of black licorice and anisette all over. Light bodied a little wet slightly, but malts still manage to coat all over. Light toffee aromas get bigger with repeated sips. Real light carbonation as well but with a hint of fizz though, and some toffee richness.
Overall a real interesting doppel, too bad I couldn't drink much of it. One rinse of the bottle and found a giant shard in the bottom.
★ 1,130 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5
Poured from the bottle into a Libbey style pilsner glass. CRUNCH, what the hell? Friggin bottle lip cracks when I open it!! First strained it slowly a little bit into the glass. Took one whiff... yikes... well so much for that idea. Grabbed another glass and poured it into that one.
Great light looking doppel. Perfect caramel red with a slapping sound coming out of the bottle though. Faint tan head barely a finger, but manage to keep a good sized collar.
Real nice light aroma. Seems small, but a waffery toffee angle that is really nice. Mild sensing clove and great spicy hints of nutmeg and clove. Soft, but hints towards a much lighter beer it seems.
Took just a few sips, all that needed. Great tasting notes of black licorice and anisette all over. Light bodied a little wet slightly, but malts still manage to coat all over. Light toffee aromas get bigger with repeated sips. Real light carbonation as well but with a hint of fizz though, and some toffee richness.
Overall a real interesting doppel, too bad I couldn't drink much of it. One rinse of the bottle and found a giant shard in the bottom.
★ 1,130 characters
4.14/5 rDev +5.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.25
A: crystal clear; bronze - SRM approx. 18; with a fairly aggressive pour, a 3 finger khaki head that receded to a thin cap; nice Belgian lacing, but it didn't last long;
S: brown sugar, dark fruit, a little yeast; not getting much in the way of hops;
t: bran muffin with raisins; rich; alcohol warming comes through at the finish; a little bitterness at the end;
M; a little syrupy; moderate carbonation;
O: really easy to drink, which at 11% ABV, is sort of scary;
★ 469 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.25
A: crystal clear; bronze - SRM approx. 18; with a fairly aggressive pour, a 3 finger khaki head that receded to a thin cap; nice Belgian lacing, but it didn't last long;
S: brown sugar, dark fruit, a little yeast; not getting much in the way of hops;
t: bran muffin with raisins; rich; alcohol warming comes through at the finish; a little bitterness at the end;
M; a little syrupy; moderate carbonation;
O: really easy to drink, which at 11% ABV, is sort of scary;
★ 469 characters
4.32/5 rDev +10.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
Look 9/10
Smell 18/20
Taste 38/40
Feel 8/10
Drinkability 18/20
Overall 91/100
Wow, I thought this was delightful... Maybe some of this is because I had zero expectation or hype. Still, has a really nice rich and hardy bock flavor. Yet at 11% it is rather easy to drink. If you see this it's worth a pick up~
★ 399 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
Look 9/10
Smell 18/20
Taste 38/40
Feel 8/10
Drinkability 18/20
Overall 91/100
Wow, I thought this was delightful... Maybe some of this is because I had zero expectation or hype. Still, has a really nice rich and hardy bock flavor. Yet at 11% it is rather easy to drink. If you see this it's worth a pick up~
★ 399 characters
5/5 rDev +27.6%
EKU 28 has really become one of my new favorites. I enjoy a strong, challenging beer at times but not something that will give me a headache.
If you see an EKU 28 grab 1 or 2. It will put you DOWN! It's a really tranquilizing beer, but clean, so no headaches or other unwanted side effects. It can be a little pricey but worth every penny. It has so many rich flavors. Dark, earthy fruit notes seem to push forward the most, but this is not a sweet beer necessarily. The flavor intensifies as it warms in the glass, and the last sip tends to be divine in my opinion. Drink from a chalice or even wine glass for sure. The color is a decadent rouge/ molasses.
★ 665 characters
EKU 28 has really become one of my new favorites. I enjoy a strong, challenging beer at times but not something that will give me a headache.
If you see an EKU 28 grab 1 or 2. It will put you DOWN! It's a really tranquilizing beer, but clean, so no headaches or other unwanted side effects. It can be a little pricey but worth every penny. It has so many rich flavors. Dark, earthy fruit notes seem to push forward the most, but this is not a sweet beer necessarily. The flavor intensifies as it warms in the glass, and the last sip tends to be divine in my opinion. Drink from a chalice or even wine glass for sure. The color is a decadent rouge/ molasses.
★ 665 characters
3.41/5 rDev -13%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
Pours a dark cloudy amber with a small fizzy head. Aroma is of caramel malt, fruity, yeast and a bit of dark cherry essence mixed in. Taste is sweet caramel malt, fruity, yeast, maybe some toffee and a kind of sweet sherry alcohol flavor and hops bitterness. Palate is full, rich and fairly smooth body, with good carbonation. Finish the same as taste. Alcohol seems to be well hidden, but comes thru more as it warms up. Overall seems a bit strong for a doppelbock, not bad ( if sipped accordingly).
★ 500 characters
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
Pours a dark cloudy amber with a small fizzy head. Aroma is of caramel malt, fruity, yeast and a bit of dark cherry essence mixed in. Taste is sweet caramel malt, fruity, yeast, maybe some toffee and a kind of sweet sherry alcohol flavor and hops bitterness. Palate is full, rich and fairly smooth body, with good carbonation. Finish the same as taste. Alcohol seems to be well hidden, but comes thru more as it warms up. Overall seems a bit strong for a doppelbock, not bad ( if sipped accordingly).
★ 500 characters
4.21/5 rDev +7.4%
Appearance: Pours with a dark orange color. Minimal head even on an aggressive pour. Active carbonation is very low.
Smell: Syrupy toffee jumps at the drinker. Amber malts, caramelized sugars, and fresh baked rye bread are potent on the body. Sinister dark fruits and some bright yet balanced spices really add some kick on the back end.
Taste: Waves of robust, juicy amber malts with accents of toffee, cacao nibs, and earthy grains blast the palate immediately. Caramel, sweet yet rounded sugars, and bountiful creamy malts grow and shine on the body. The alcohol is menacing and adds an edge to this beer which only helps accentuate everything going on with this brew. Finish is decadent toffee and grains.
Mouthfeel: I won't say the body is thin, but the alcohol and sharp biting flavors and textures are unique for a doppelbock. Carbonation is fitting for this style beer.
Overall: I would describe this as a mean, vicious interpretation of the style. Many others are much maltier with darker fruit character, but this one is menacing and will knock you off balance. With all that being said it is scary drinkable and a real treat.
★ 1,157 characters
Appearance: Pours with a dark orange color. Minimal head even on an aggressive pour. Active carbonation is very low.
Smell: Syrupy toffee jumps at the drinker. Amber malts, caramelized sugars, and fresh baked rye bread are potent on the body. Sinister dark fruits and some bright yet balanced spices really add some kick on the back end.
Taste: Waves of robust, juicy amber malts with accents of toffee, cacao nibs, and earthy grains blast the palate immediately. Caramel, sweet yet rounded sugars, and bountiful creamy malts grow and shine on the body. The alcohol is menacing and adds an edge to this beer which only helps accentuate everything going on with this brew. Finish is decadent toffee and grains.
Mouthfeel: I won't say the body is thin, but the alcohol and sharp biting flavors and textures are unique for a doppelbock. Carbonation is fitting for this style beer.
Overall: I would describe this as a mean, vicious interpretation of the style. Many others are much maltier with darker fruit character, but this one is menacing and will knock you off balance. With all that being said it is scary drinkable and a real treat.
★ 1,157 characters
4.1/5 rDev +4.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
EKU 28 brewed by Kulmbacher Brauerei AG with an ABV of 11%. This brew is marketed as a malt liquor. This brew pours out a dark caramel amber color with a small white head. EKU 28 is a filtered brew you can see right though it. The smell is rich with sweetness and caramel. You pick up on some grains in this brew. Not a bad brew so far. The taste is sweet with some grains. There is a slight bitterness to this brew. but nothing over powering. I'm guess the brew get it sweetness from the high ABV. This brew goes down smooth with no bad after taste. The mouthfeel is nice and clean. Kulmbacher Brauerei AG did a nice job with this brew. This brew is nicely balance with a high high ABV. The high ABV is it is not notable in this brew, goes down smooth and clean. This brew is better than what I was expecting. I will get this brew again.
★ 838 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
EKU 28 brewed by Kulmbacher Brauerei AG with an ABV of 11%. This brew is marketed as a malt liquor. This brew pours out a dark caramel amber color with a small white head. EKU 28 is a filtered brew you can see right though it. The smell is rich with sweetness and caramel. You pick up on some grains in this brew. Not a bad brew so far. The taste is sweet with some grains. There is a slight bitterness to this brew. but nothing over powering. I'm guess the brew get it sweetness from the high ABV. This brew goes down smooth with no bad after taste. The mouthfeel is nice and clean. Kulmbacher Brauerei AG did a nice job with this brew. This brew is nicely balance with a high high ABV. The high ABV is it is not notable in this brew, goes down smooth and clean. This brew is better than what I was expecting. I will get this brew again.
★ 838 characters
EKU 28 from Kulmbacher Brauerei AG
3.92
out of 5
based on 687 ratings.
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
11.2oz bottle poured into a tulip. Pours a transparent auburn with a fluffy light khaki head that falls leaving nice retention and okay lacing. Great color. The aromas are awesome. Lots of rich caramel along with some toffee notes. Dark fruits are present. Lots of malty goodness. The flavors follow the nose perfectly. The malts shine. More caramel and toffee. Hints of raisins and black cherries. Solid malt backbone. It's sweet, but not cloying or over the top at all. Not too bitter. There's a very subtle spiciness in the finish. Alcohol is well hidden. Mouthfeel is very nice. It's on the lighter side of full-bodied with moderate carbonation. It's very smooth and easy to drink. It's dangerously drinkable.
This is a great brew. Great aromas and flavors. Highly enjoyable and fun to drink. Definitely worth checking out. Highly recommended.
★ 849 characters