Doppel X
Full Sail Brewery at Riverplace / The Pilsner Room

12oz bottle courtesy of Strelnikov poured into a snifter. Bottle is labeled "20th Anniversary Doppel X".

Pours a deep mahogany that shows hazy amber highlights when held up to the light. The head is tan and short-lived, leaving a small ring and only traces of lacing.

The aroma is interesting with a caramel malt and dark fruit sweetness initially that is balanced by some toasted breadiness and some nuts.

Sweet malts dominate the taste as well with toasted bread underpinning the sweetness. There are some figs and raisins in the middle before a slightly dry bitter finish. Interesting.

The mouthfeel is medium to full-bodied and pretty thick. The carbonation is present but understated which leaves a fairly chewy mouthfeel overall.

This is an interesting and tasty doppelbock, though the thick mouthfeel takes away from the drinkability slightly. Good.

Listed as the '20th Anniversery Doppelbock, draught served in a snifter, the Doppel X is a dark garnet with a small and creamy khaki head.

Smell is rich and sweet, brandy and nuts.

Taste is semi-sweet, super malty of course, raisin and caramel, full with a bit of astringent roast, clean booze and balanced bitterness on a long, lingering finish.

Mouthfeel is chewy and thick.

Drinkability is good, this is a nicely done doppelbock, a smooth sipper for sure. Nice to see this, as they're not so common round here, and a fitting choice for the anniversary brew (is that the harborplace or full sail as a company I wonder?). Another gem from the Pilsner Room.

This was a new to me beer, sampled at the Riverplace tap room in Portland. It's listed as a special anniversary beer.

The beer pours a brownish copper color with good head retention and lacing. The beer smells very rich, sweet and malty, and I remember thinking at the time "this is serious stuff." On the palate the beer tastes very rich and malty with noticeable, albeit not intrusive, alcohol. Flavors include plenty of vanilla and cherry, and there's a sense that this is a very big beer. On the other hand, the beer carries its abv. quite well, and the mouthfeel is very soft and creamy. Considering the abv. and sweetness of this beer, it's actually pretty drinkable and not at all tiring on the palate.

An impressive effort from Full Sail.