Duck-Rabbit Duck-Rabbator | The Duck-Rabbit Craft Brewery
Brewed by:
The Duck-Rabbit Craft Brewery
North Carolina, United States | website
Style: Doppelbock
Alcohol by volume (ABV): 8.50%
Availability: Rotating
Notes / Commercial Description:
The Duck-Rabbator Dopplebock is a powerfully malty German-style lager. The malty / grainy flavors so dominate this beer, it's like a whole loaf of bread in every glass! Is it a beverage or is it a meal? It's both.
Added by Georgiabeer on 06-22-2009
View: Beers | Place Reviews | Events
Reviews: 143 | Ratings: 316
4.23/5 rDev +5.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Re-review
12oz bottle best by 4/2014. Consumed on 8/10/13. Into a shaker
Pours a dark reddish/brown with just under an inch thick off white head. The smell is malty, bready, caramely and a tad sweet. Very solid scent. The taste remains true to form, big malt backbone followed by a wave of caramel sweetness and it finishes off with a good bit of alcohol bitterness too. Very nice. 8.5% ABV is apparent, as this one has a bit of a kick to it. It works well here though. Heavier side of medium bodied with light carbonation.
Overall a very solid offering from Duck Rabbit. This was the first real beer I loved from them and the 2013 batch is no different. For some reason these are only going for $7.49/6 pack right now and at that price I'm going to be picking up a case.
★ 775 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Re-review
12oz bottle best by 4/2014. Consumed on 8/10/13. Into a shaker
Pours a dark reddish/brown with just under an inch thick off white head. The smell is malty, bready, caramely and a tad sweet. Very solid scent. The taste remains true to form, big malt backbone followed by a wave of caramel sweetness and it finishes off with a good bit of alcohol bitterness too. Very nice. 8.5% ABV is apparent, as this one has a bit of a kick to it. It works well here though. Heavier side of medium bodied with light carbonation.
Overall a very solid offering from Duck Rabbit. This was the first real beer I loved from them and the 2013 batch is no different. For some reason these are only going for $7.49/6 pack right now and at that price I'm going to be picking up a case.
★ 775 characters
4.33/5 rDev +8.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
On tap at Sessions in Greensboro.
A - dark caramel-purple with a big brown head that has great retention
S - caramel, sugar
T - caramel, sugar, dark fruit, figs, raisins, faint bitterness, a bit buttery
M - full bodied, well carbonated
This is a very nicely flavored doppelbock. It's complex and very drinkable with a well hidden ABV. This is another solid offering from Duck Rabbit.
★ 388 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
On tap at Sessions in Greensboro.
A - dark caramel-purple with a big brown head that has great retention
S - caramel, sugar
T - caramel, sugar, dark fruit, figs, raisins, faint bitterness, a bit buttery
M - full bodied, well carbonated
This is a very nicely flavored doppelbock. It's complex and very drinkable with a well hidden ABV. This is another solid offering from Duck Rabbit.
★ 388 characters
5/5 rDev +25%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
In a recent trip to Asheville, NC (Beer-halla) I walked into one of the best beer stores in the country, the Thirsty Monk. If you know me, I am the hyperboleistic sort. Everything is like the best ever. However, this is an exception. By this point in my life, I have tried around a thousand beers (about 500 of which reside in my bottle collection and 150 on my Taco Mac Brewniversity. In that laundry list, I have my loves; St. Bernardus Prior 8 and Abt. 12, Brooklyn Black Ops, Left Hand Milk Stout, Great Lakes Christmas, Wild Heaven Ode to Mercy, among many, but this beer has been special.
As a brewery, Duck Rabbit is impressive. While none of their beers, until now have been my favorite of a style, many have been quite close. Their recipes are classic, but crisp and refreshing. Their styles are within their comfort zone, but push the envelope. Their Doppelbock, however, is perfect.
I know what you are thinking, only Hoffmann could have a style I have not heard of as a favorite beer. First of all, listen, while this beer is in my current top five, there is no favorite to a beer lover, it is what feels right at that moment. Second, anyone would like a doppelbock if they had a good one. A doppelbock will look like a dark brown ale, brown porter, or light colored stout. It is smooth and malty; perhaps even creamy. While having subtle roast qualities, it is sweet and light. If you drink this and you had no other beer experience other than a Bud or Pabst, you may think it was a girl beer or soda, but they are so much more.
Duck Rabbit Doppelbock is not much to look at. The logo is cool, but the color is a deep brown and the head was a wispy white, that is where the standard aspects end. The body was rich, but not heavy; highly drinkable. The smell and flavor were malty chocolate, with subtle roasting. They are cleanly fermented, but complex. The scent is amazing and the flavors are rich. If you have never tried such a beer, please go and try it; you will never be the same.
http://www.dudeletter.com/?p=1303
★ 2,039 characters
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
In a recent trip to Asheville, NC (Beer-halla) I walked into one of the best beer stores in the country, the Thirsty Monk. If you know me, I am the hyperboleistic sort. Everything is like the best ever. However, this is an exception. By this point in my life, I have tried around a thousand beers (about 500 of which reside in my bottle collection and 150 on my Taco Mac Brewniversity. In that laundry list, I have my loves; St. Bernardus Prior 8 and Abt. 12, Brooklyn Black Ops, Left Hand Milk Stout, Great Lakes Christmas, Wild Heaven Ode to Mercy, among many, but this beer has been special.
As a brewery, Duck Rabbit is impressive. While none of their beers, until now have been my favorite of a style, many have been quite close. Their recipes are classic, but crisp and refreshing. Their styles are within their comfort zone, but push the envelope. Their Doppelbock, however, is perfect.
I know what you are thinking, only Hoffmann could have a style I have not heard of as a favorite beer. First of all, listen, while this beer is in my current top five, there is no favorite to a beer lover, it is what feels right at that moment. Second, anyone would like a doppelbock if they had a good one. A doppelbock will look like a dark brown ale, brown porter, or light colored stout. It is smooth and malty; perhaps even creamy. While having subtle roast qualities, it is sweet and light. If you drink this and you had no other beer experience other than a Bud or Pabst, you may think it was a girl beer or soda, but they are so much more.
Duck Rabbit Doppelbock is not much to look at. The logo is cool, but the color is a deep brown and the head was a wispy white, that is where the standard aspects end. The body was rich, but not heavy; highly drinkable. The smell and flavor were malty chocolate, with subtle roasting. They are cleanly fermented, but complex. The scent is amazing and the flavors are rich. If you have never tried such a beer, please go and try it; you will never be the same.
http://www.dudeletter.com/?p=1303
★ 2,039 characters
4.35/5 rDev +8.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Pours auburn with 3+ fingers of cream colored head. Good head retention & lacing
S: Brown sugar & breadyness
T: Follows the nose, caramel, leafy hops & dryness up front. Slight boozeyness as this warms, more brown sugar, woody dryness that kind of detracts from an otherwise great take on the style. Finishes dry & bready & spicy
Medium bodied, moderate carbonation, warming & dry
Pretty drinkable, not world-class, but pretty decent. However, at $14 a sixer, I would probably pass on this one again in bottled form. This one did grow on me as it warmed...
★ 560 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Pours auburn with 3+ fingers of cream colored head. Good head retention & lacing
S: Brown sugar & breadyness
T: Follows the nose, caramel, leafy hops & dryness up front. Slight boozeyness as this warms, more brown sugar, woody dryness that kind of detracts from an otherwise great take on the style. Finishes dry & bready & spicy
Medium bodied, moderate carbonation, warming & dry
Pretty drinkable, not world-class, but pretty decent. However, at $14 a sixer, I would probably pass on this one again in bottled form. This one did grow on me as it warmed...
★ 560 characters
3.98/5 rDev -0.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
Poured from the bottle into a standard pint glass.
Appearance: Pours a cloudy reddish mahogany color with a finger of fluffy off white head that sticks around pretty well but doesn't leave any lacing.
Smell: Lots of grain and sweetness along with some caramel and raisins. This smells like a malt bomb.
Taste: Like the smell, the flavor is quite sweet from the grains. Full of caramel and dark fruits with some warming alcohol and a slight bitterness in the finish.
Mouthfeel: The body is just on the thick side of medium with tingly carbonation and an extremely dry finish. Just a bit chalky.
Overall: This beer was just what I wanted tonight. Full of malt goodness. It would be extremely good if it were a bit smoother, but I really enjoyed it.
★ 751 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
Poured from the bottle into a standard pint glass.
Appearance: Pours a cloudy reddish mahogany color with a finger of fluffy off white head that sticks around pretty well but doesn't leave any lacing.
Smell: Lots of grain and sweetness along with some caramel and raisins. This smells like a malt bomb.
Taste: Like the smell, the flavor is quite sweet from the grains. Full of caramel and dark fruits with some warming alcohol and a slight bitterness in the finish.
Mouthfeel: The body is just on the thick side of medium with tingly carbonation and an extremely dry finish. Just a bit chalky.
Overall: This beer was just what I wanted tonight. Full of malt goodness. It would be extremely good if it were a bit smoother, but I really enjoyed it.
★ 751 characters
4.5/5 rDev +12.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Purchased Peabody's Beer & Wine, in Boone, NC.
A - In the sun light a deep reddish brown with good carbonation and a thin consistent tan foam. Indoor light the beer is a deep brown with reddish hints.
S - Malts, Raisin, Dates, hints of alcohol. The aroma is very inviting that you want to taste the beer.
T - Malts, sweetness of dark fruits, some bitterness of hops, a good sting of alcohol with a good aftertaste of all the ingredients.
M - A good full feel in each taste no matter the sip or full taste. The flavor is really good and makes you want more.
O - I really enjoy this beer. I have had this last beer of a 6 pack since August '11 so it has aged about 6 months on top of the brewing/aging timeline. I look forward to getting to NC so I can get somemore.
★ 769 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Purchased Peabody's Beer & Wine, in Boone, NC.
A - In the sun light a deep reddish brown with good carbonation and a thin consistent tan foam. Indoor light the beer is a deep brown with reddish hints.
S - Malts, Raisin, Dates, hints of alcohol. The aroma is very inviting that you want to taste the beer.
T - Malts, sweetness of dark fruits, some bitterness of hops, a good sting of alcohol with a good aftertaste of all the ingredients.
M - A good full feel in each taste no matter the sip or full taste. The flavor is really good and makes you want more.
O - I really enjoy this beer. I have had this last beer of a 6 pack since August '11 so it has aged about 6 months on top of the brewing/aging timeline. I look forward to getting to NC so I can get somemore.
★ 769 characters
4/5 rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
A - A deep hazy brown not as clear as other reps of the style but I love the head since it's slightly tan and very creamy.
S - Wow that's good like rum soaked raisin bread! Other notes of tartness or alcohol is over exaggerated.
T - The flavors of dark fruits, bready malts, high ABV (most I ever seen for the style) and creamy finish are all very balanced.
M - Not something I would have more than one a sitting it was medium to heavy bodied.
Overall this beer company impresses me every time with beers and to make a dopplebock almost 9% this smooth and creamy is exceptional. I would buy it more often if I could find it in more places.
★ 644 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
A - A deep hazy brown not as clear as other reps of the style but I love the head since it's slightly tan and very creamy.
S - Wow that's good like rum soaked raisin bread! Other notes of tartness or alcohol is over exaggerated.
T - The flavors of dark fruits, bready malts, high ABV (most I ever seen for the style) and creamy finish are all very balanced.
M - Not something I would have more than one a sitting it was medium to heavy bodied.
Overall this beer company impresses me every time with beers and to make a dopplebock almost 9% this smooth and creamy is exceptional. I would buy it more often if I could find it in more places.
★ 644 characters
3.73/5 rDev -6.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
12oz bottle into a pint glass.
Darker brown with pronounced red highlights, thick three-finger light tan head that recedes to a thin layer. Little lacing to speak of.
The nose is not overpowering-sweet malts, dark chocolate, ripe fruits such as figs, dates, and cherries.
The aromas play out a little stronger on the tongue. The sweetness of the malts is balanced pretty nicely by a toasted nut flavor, along with a touch of cherry tartness.
Maybe not as big in the body as I was expecting, but still pretty good. The tartness lingers a little longer than I would like, and the carbonation is sort of middle of the road.
Overall a good beer that I would purchase again.
★ 674 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
12oz bottle into a pint glass.
Darker brown with pronounced red highlights, thick three-finger light tan head that recedes to a thin layer. Little lacing to speak of.
The nose is not overpowering-sweet malts, dark chocolate, ripe fruits such as figs, dates, and cherries.
The aromas play out a little stronger on the tongue. The sweetness of the malts is balanced pretty nicely by a toasted nut flavor, along with a touch of cherry tartness.
Maybe not as big in the body as I was expecting, but still pretty good. The tartness lingers a little longer than I would like, and the carbonation is sort of middle of the road.
Overall a good beer that I would purchase again.
★ 674 characters
3.9/5 rDev -2.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
12 ounce bottle into tulip, bottle dating is not notched. Pours crystal clear dark reddish brown color with a nice 2 finger fairly dense tan head with nice retention that reduces to a thin cap that sticks around. Small bits of lacing on the glass. Aromas of big caramel, biscuit, chocolate, molasses, toasted malts, dark fruits, and spicy hops. Very nice aromas here with good balance. Taste of big caramel, toasted malt, chocolate, molasses, biscuit, dark fruit, spiciness, and a bit of booze. Lingering notes of caramel, molasses, toasted malt, biscuit, and spices on the finish for a bit. Medium carbonation and medium-full bodied; with a very creamy and slightly slick mouthfeel. Alcohol has a decent presence with a decent warming on the finish. Overall a very nice and impressive doppelbock. The alcohol presence is a bit much, but overall still very enjoyable.
★ 867 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
12 ounce bottle into tulip, bottle dating is not notched. Pours crystal clear dark reddish brown color with a nice 2 finger fairly dense tan head with nice retention that reduces to a thin cap that sticks around. Small bits of lacing on the glass. Aromas of big caramel, biscuit, chocolate, molasses, toasted malts, dark fruits, and spicy hops. Very nice aromas here with good balance. Taste of big caramel, toasted malt, chocolate, molasses, biscuit, dark fruit, spiciness, and a bit of booze. Lingering notes of caramel, molasses, toasted malt, biscuit, and spices on the finish for a bit. Medium carbonation and medium-full bodied; with a very creamy and slightly slick mouthfeel. Alcohol has a decent presence with a decent warming on the finish. Overall a very nice and impressive doppelbock. The alcohol presence is a bit much, but overall still very enjoyable.
★ 867 characters
3.6/5 rDev -10%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
Pours very dark chocolate brown, with an odd magenta hue with light behind it. Light tan head, about one finger, fades pretty fast. A little lacing.
Smell is heavy dark fruits, nutty chocolate, with a hint of smoke. Ripe plums, some brown sugar, and a light red-grape background. More roasty than a typical doppelbock. Nicely rounded. Deep, though I would like a little more complexity.
Taste is a little funny. It brings those same fruits and nuts and chocolate that are in the smell, but it has a strange lightness drifting around the mouth, with a hint of bitter alcohol pinch on the back of the tongue.
Mouthfeel is a bit light for the style - it's chewy enough, but I wish the carbonation were lower. I want to feel the weight, and the bubbles lift it up off my tongue when I want that sweet goodness to sit there. I do get a bit of alcohol burn.
Good, but definitely not your typical doppelbock. Malts are the centerpiece, but they're quite roasty and slightly smoky. Smell is the highlight. I think the best qualities of the taste are pulled down by that odd alcohol bite. And the mouthfeel is just too bubbly.
★ 1,121 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
Pours very dark chocolate brown, with an odd magenta hue with light behind it. Light tan head, about one finger, fades pretty fast. A little lacing.
Smell is heavy dark fruits, nutty chocolate, with a hint of smoke. Ripe plums, some brown sugar, and a light red-grape background. More roasty than a typical doppelbock. Nicely rounded. Deep, though I would like a little more complexity.
Taste is a little funny. It brings those same fruits and nuts and chocolate that are in the smell, but it has a strange lightness drifting around the mouth, with a hint of bitter alcohol pinch on the back of the tongue.
Mouthfeel is a bit light for the style - it's chewy enough, but I wish the carbonation were lower. I want to feel the weight, and the bubbles lift it up off my tongue when I want that sweet goodness to sit there. I do get a bit of alcohol burn.
Good, but definitely not your typical doppelbock. Malts are the centerpiece, but they're quite roasty and slightly smoky. Smell is the highlight. I think the best qualities of the taste are pulled down by that odd alcohol bite. And the mouthfeel is just too bubbly.
★ 1,121 characters
4.18/5 rDev +4.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
pours quite dark - essentially opaque - with a bit of viscosity to it, with an acceptable amount of head followed by some lacing, but not a lot.
smell is roasty and malty with a hint of chocolate and fruit.
taste is really nice - again, plenty of roast and malt here, with some tones of nuts, chocolate, brown sugar and a hint of fruit. unfortunately, the mouthfeel is a bit lacking due to low carbonation.
Overall a really solid dark beer that I enjoyed greatly, and hope to enjoy again!
★ 491 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
pours quite dark - essentially opaque - with a bit of viscosity to it, with an acceptable amount of head followed by some lacing, but not a lot.
smell is roasty and malty with a hint of chocolate and fruit.
taste is really nice - again, plenty of roast and malt here, with some tones of nuts, chocolate, brown sugar and a hint of fruit. unfortunately, the mouthfeel is a bit lacking due to low carbonation.
Overall a really solid dark beer that I enjoyed greatly, and hope to enjoy again!
★ 491 characters
3.94/5 rDev -1.5%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Best by: unk
A: Dark brown with only a thick ring of toasted cream foam and spotty lace. Opaque.
S: cocoa, caramel, cola and crystalized sugar make up the nose on this one. It's nice.
T: Theres a certain grass character along with some more sweet malts and a toasted cola flavor. Interesting.
M: Medium bodied with light carb for the style. Long slick finish.
O: unusual doppelbock, and nicely refined. A deviation from what I usually anticipate to be too sweet and overly esterized, this one is nice.
★ 502 characters
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Best by: unk
A: Dark brown with only a thick ring of toasted cream foam and spotty lace. Opaque.
S: cocoa, caramel, cola and crystalized sugar make up the nose on this one. It's nice.
T: Theres a certain grass character along with some more sweet malts and a toasted cola flavor. Interesting.
M: Medium bodied with light carb for the style. Long slick finish.
O: unusual doppelbock, and nicely refined. A deviation from what I usually anticipate to be too sweet and overly esterized, this one is nice.
★ 502 characters
3.91/5 rDev -2.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 4
12 ounce bottle from the 6 pack shop.
Appearance. Some bubbles, syrup style. Rich.
Smells like a dark Belgium. Very heavy. Fig/Raisins....
Tastes sweet. Definite chocolate, molasses, brown sugar. Nice flavor. Impressed.
Mouthfeel...definitely not the best part of this beer. Not much body at all. Maybe a little too much carbonation. Give this beer a nice body and they may be onto something special.
Overall. This is a onsie-twosie. Not something I would drink more than 2 of in a night. Maybe a desert beer. Give it some body, lose a little alcohol, and it could be Duck Rabbits money maker.
★ 600 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 4
12 ounce bottle from the 6 pack shop.
Appearance. Some bubbles, syrup style. Rich.
Smells like a dark Belgium. Very heavy. Fig/Raisins....
Tastes sweet. Definite chocolate, molasses, brown sugar. Nice flavor. Impressed.
Mouthfeel...definitely not the best part of this beer. Not much body at all. Maybe a little too much carbonation. Give this beer a nice body and they may be onto something special.
Overall. This is a onsie-twosie. Not something I would drink more than 2 of in a night. Maybe a desert beer. Give it some body, lose a little alcohol, and it could be Duck Rabbits money maker.
★ 600 characters
4.42/5 rDev +10.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Bottle poured a clear reddish brown with a small lingering tan head. Aromas of molasses, caramel, toffee, cocoa and light fruittiness. Palate was medium bodied and crisp. Flavors of molasses, toffee, caramel and light cocoa with a crisp lingering toffee finish.
★ 261 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Bottle poured a clear reddish brown with a small lingering tan head. Aromas of molasses, caramel, toffee, cocoa and light fruittiness. Palate was medium bodied and crisp. Flavors of molasses, toffee, caramel and light cocoa with a crisp lingering toffee finish.
★ 261 characters
4.08/5 rDev +2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Received in trade from VncentLIFE, thanks for the opportunity!
Pours a deep dark brown color with a decent tan head that shows moderate retention and minimal lace. Smells of dark dried fruit, caramel, and burnt sugar with a hint of ash mixed in there as well. Taste is dark malty with a hint of mineral and ash. All the usual suspects are here, caramel, dark sugar, prunes, plums, raisins. Light roasted grains are a bit out of place. Little to no hop presence, but there really shouldn't be. Medium to thick body light level of carbonation with a caramel thick mouthfeel. There are better examples of the style, but this is one damn fine brew. I quite enjoyed this one, roasted grains and all.
★ 695 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Received in trade from VncentLIFE, thanks for the opportunity!
Pours a deep dark brown color with a decent tan head that shows moderate retention and minimal lace. Smells of dark dried fruit, caramel, and burnt sugar with a hint of ash mixed in there as well. Taste is dark malty with a hint of mineral and ash. All the usual suspects are here, caramel, dark sugar, prunes, plums, raisins. Light roasted grains are a bit out of place. Little to no hop presence, but there really shouldn't be. Medium to thick body light level of carbonation with a caramel thick mouthfeel. There are better examples of the style, but this is one damn fine brew. I quite enjoyed this one, roasted grains and all.
★ 695 characters
4.34/5 rDev +8.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
A - pours a chocolaty brown color with a 1/4 finger head that retains well
S - smell is copious amounts of chocolate with some dark fruits mixed in. The two really blend together nicely.
T - starts off with sweet, sugary malts and candied fruits. as it moves down the palate, chocolate malts make an appearance. As this hits the back, I get a lot of sugary fruits again (plums, raisins) and a bit of toasted malt. Ends with chocolate tones. Really solid taste profile.
M - full and creamy - goes down smoothly
D - this is a really solid doppelbock from Duck-Rabbit. It has a really nice balance of chocolates and dark fruits. I feel most doppelbocks are one dimensional on the malts, but this has a really nice interplay in and out of a variety of flavors. Highly recommended if you can get your hands on it!
★ 812 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
A - pours a chocolaty brown color with a 1/4 finger head that retains well
S - smell is copious amounts of chocolate with some dark fruits mixed in. The two really blend together nicely.
T - starts off with sweet, sugary malts and candied fruits. as it moves down the palate, chocolate malts make an appearance. As this hits the back, I get a lot of sugary fruits again (plums, raisins) and a bit of toasted malt. Ends with chocolate tones. Really solid taste profile.
M - full and creamy - goes down smoothly
D - this is a really solid doppelbock from Duck-Rabbit. It has a really nice balance of chocolates and dark fruits. I feel most doppelbocks are one dimensional on the malts, but this has a really nice interplay in and out of a variety of flavors. Highly recommended if you can get your hands on it!
★ 812 characters
4.11/5 rDev +2.8%
look: 2.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
A: Pours a dark brown with two fingers of khaki head that recedes into a thin ring with no lacing.
S: Roasted malts with lots of sweet, creamy chocolate aromas with some hints of coffee. There are also some sweet, nutty aromas as well.
T: Similar to the aroma, roasted malts with sweet, creamy chocolate flavors up front. Nutty flavors follow with a very lightly bitter and smoky finish.
M: Medium body and carbonation, this beer is fairly crisp and clean for having a lot of roasted malt characters.
O: An atypical doppelbock that seems to border more on a porter than a doppelbock. Still, it is quite tasty with a nice combination of sweet chocolate and nutty flavors and aromas.
★ 685 characters
look: 2.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
A: Pours a dark brown with two fingers of khaki head that recedes into a thin ring with no lacing.
S: Roasted malts with lots of sweet, creamy chocolate aromas with some hints of coffee. There are also some sweet, nutty aromas as well.
T: Similar to the aroma, roasted malts with sweet, creamy chocolate flavors up front. Nutty flavors follow with a very lightly bitter and smoky finish.
M: Medium body and carbonation, this beer is fairly crisp and clean for having a lot of roasted malt characters.
O: An atypical doppelbock that seems to border more on a porter than a doppelbock. Still, it is quite tasty with a nice combination of sweet chocolate and nutty flavors and aromas.
★ 685 characters
3.28/5 rDev -18%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3
Appearaence – For awhile, I wondered, “Why do they call themselves Duck-Rabbit when there’s just a picture of a rabbit on the bottle?” And THEN I saw the duck. Anyways. This beer pours a deep ghastly brown with a hint of mahogany to it. A few fingers of head disappear very quickly. The film that’s left on top of the beer is actually putting on some kind of show as it pops around like twinkling stars.
Smell – Definitely smells like a doppelbock. It’s been awhile since I’ve had a good one so I am excited. Deep, dark fruits and malt. A bit of a plum/cocoa mix to it as well. Very light chocolate.
Taste – A surprisingly different doppelbock. A very light and tart cranberry note grabs my attention first. Then, we get more of the darker fruits such as plum and dark cherry. The beer itself remains lightly tart throughout. Very faint hints of caramel and cocoa.
Mouthfeel and Overall – The tartness and oddity of the weight can get to you a bit, but it’s pretty solid other than that. You can definitely feel the alcohol burn during breaks. Overall, a pleasantly tart doppelbock without the heavy malt.
EDIT: Wow. So that alcoholic tartness definitely gets to you further down in the beer. I had to lower my score a bit.
★ 1,249 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3
Appearaence – For awhile, I wondered, “Why do they call themselves Duck-Rabbit when there’s just a picture of a rabbit on the bottle?” And THEN I saw the duck. Anyways. This beer pours a deep ghastly brown with a hint of mahogany to it. A few fingers of head disappear very quickly. The film that’s left on top of the beer is actually putting on some kind of show as it pops around like twinkling stars.
Smell – Definitely smells like a doppelbock. It’s been awhile since I’ve had a good one so I am excited. Deep, dark fruits and malt. A bit of a plum/cocoa mix to it as well. Very light chocolate.
Taste – A surprisingly different doppelbock. A very light and tart cranberry note grabs my attention first. Then, we get more of the darker fruits such as plum and dark cherry. The beer itself remains lightly tart throughout. Very faint hints of caramel and cocoa.
Mouthfeel and Overall – The tartness and oddity of the weight can get to you a bit, but it’s pretty solid other than that. You can definitely feel the alcohol burn during breaks. Overall, a pleasantly tart doppelbock without the heavy malt.
EDIT: Wow. So that alcoholic tartness definitely gets to you further down in the beer. I had to lower my score a bit.
★ 1,249 characters
4.48/5 rDev +12%
look: 3 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Poured down the side of a pint glass, I got 4" of foam and an inch of liquid. After a lot of fizzing and about 30 seconds it was 3" of liquid brown love, all chestnut in color, topped with over an inch of root beer-looking foam the color of the fluff on that aforementioned root beer. Eventually, it settled to a 1/2" layer. A good amount of light penetration through the hazy brown.
Smell is richly malty with with notes of earth and whiskey, raisins and apples, caramel and smoke. Really great complexity and balance.
Taste is amazing. Rich, smoky roasted malt, caramel, whiskey, dark fruits and a nice mellow alcohol presence. Again, complexity and balance are phenomenal.
Rich, full-bodied, light effervescence. Slightly ashy note in the aftertaste. This is a really fine bottle of brew. Now if they would only distribute in Florida.
★ 837 characters
look: 3 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Poured down the side of a pint glass, I got 4" of foam and an inch of liquid. After a lot of fizzing and about 30 seconds it was 3" of liquid brown love, all chestnut in color, topped with over an inch of root beer-looking foam the color of the fluff on that aforementioned root beer. Eventually, it settled to a 1/2" layer. A good amount of light penetration through the hazy brown.
Smell is richly malty with with notes of earth and whiskey, raisins and apples, caramel and smoke. Really great complexity and balance.
Taste is amazing. Rich, smoky roasted malt, caramel, whiskey, dark fruits and a nice mellow alcohol presence. Again, complexity and balance are phenomenal.
Rich, full-bodied, light effervescence. Slightly ashy note in the aftertaste. This is a really fine bottle of brew. Now if they would only distribute in Florida.
★ 837 characters
4.47/5 rDev +11.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
A dark mahogany colored brew with a decent tan colored foam on top with nice lacing. The aroma brings big peanut butter malt with a hint of ham and muted licorice cotton candy. Quite nice. The flavor favors licorice malt by far and it’s delicious with banana bread sweetness and a little charcoal and lemony grass hop. A really good doppelbock. It has a resinous feel, silky smooth in a medium-heavy bodied brew with tiny bubbles that keep it a touch lively. Quite a brew. Enjoy.
★ 481 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
A dark mahogany colored brew with a decent tan colored foam on top with nice lacing. The aroma brings big peanut butter malt with a hint of ham and muted licorice cotton candy. Quite nice. The flavor favors licorice malt by far and it’s delicious with banana bread sweetness and a little charcoal and lemony grass hop. A really good doppelbock. It has a resinous feel, silky smooth in a medium-heavy bodied brew with tiny bubbles that keep it a touch lively. Quite a brew. Enjoy.
★ 481 characters
3.58/5 rDev -10.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
Poured out as a really deep brown color with a thin fizzy light tan colored head on top. The smell of the beer has a light peppery note to me followed up by some big malt aromas. The taste of the beer was pretty good, I feel that I've had better tasting Doppelbocks before. This one just didn't seem like it was all there. The mouthfeel of this beer is well carbonated and leaves a caramely sweet feeling in the mouth. Overall it's a good brew to try but I don't think I'll buy it again.
★ 487 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
Poured out as a really deep brown color with a thin fizzy light tan colored head on top. The smell of the beer has a light peppery note to me followed up by some big malt aromas. The taste of the beer was pretty good, I feel that I've had better tasting Doppelbocks before. This one just didn't seem like it was all there. The mouthfeel of this beer is well carbonated and leaves a caramely sweet feeling in the mouth. Overall it's a good brew to try but I don't think I'll buy it again.
★ 487 characters
3.93/5 rDev -1.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
Poured from a bottle into a pint glass
A - 2 fingers sticky tan/brown head rises tightly and leaves nice lacing, Color is a deep chestnut brown, almost black, with a reddish tinge
S - Brown bread and molasses, gingerbread notes, and a lightly vegetal quality underneath
T - Malt-o-riffic, Rum, raisin, and sweet toffee, with the alcohol sneaking in at the end with a little heat. The hops also show up just in the bitter finish, but this is a malt dominator.
M - very smooth and pleasant, not too sticky, broken up nicely by the level of carbonation
O - great glass for a nightcap, nice example of the style. Just one per evening I think.
★ 643 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
Poured from a bottle into a pint glass
A - 2 fingers sticky tan/brown head rises tightly and leaves nice lacing, Color is a deep chestnut brown, almost black, with a reddish tinge
S - Brown bread and molasses, gingerbread notes, and a lightly vegetal quality underneath
T - Malt-o-riffic, Rum, raisin, and sweet toffee, with the alcohol sneaking in at the end with a little heat. The hops also show up just in the bitter finish, but this is a malt dominator.
M - very smooth and pleasant, not too sticky, broken up nicely by the level of carbonation
O - great glass for a nightcap, nice example of the style. Just one per evening I think.
★ 643 characters
3.6/5 rDev -10%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
Poured on tap into a snifter glass at Churchkey.
A dark red brown body with no head given barely, but a very large soapy bubbled collar of tan. Love this body color.
Nose is a little boozy of alcohol and small toffee, with mild licorice. Licorice notes come forward more often after time.
Taste and body is a little thin. Light bodied and a bit wet missing stickiness. Licorice taste comes out a bit which is interesting to say the least.
Overall, aside from unexpected licorice this is kind of disappointing. Too watery for my tastes.
★ 539 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
Poured on tap into a snifter glass at Churchkey.
A dark red brown body with no head given barely, but a very large soapy bubbled collar of tan. Love this body color.
Nose is a little boozy of alcohol and small toffee, with mild licorice. Licorice notes come forward more often after time.
Taste and body is a little thin. Light bodied and a bit wet missing stickiness. Licorice taste comes out a bit which is interesting to say the least.
Overall, aside from unexpected licorice this is kind of disappointing. Too watery for my tastes.
★ 539 characters
4.04/5 rDev +1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
A little out of season, but I'm always up for new Duck-Rabbit, and I just can't imagine that, at 8.5%, that this suffered on the shelf. Pours a reddish tinged medium brown with almost no head or lace, but that is more or less to be expected for the style. The nose is rich and thick, with plenty of caramel and sweet coffee notes. The whole melange turns to dark fruit as it warms, figs or plums or something.
The dryness surprises me at first, but eventually grows on me. The coffee and caramel are there, but are mostly backloaded into the aftertaste. The body is simple, no frills sweet malt. The key here is balance as bitterness frames the whole situation. I could use a little more stiffness in the texture but I do realize, that after all, this is a lager.
It is a measure of the high regard that I hold this brewery in that this beer ranks as a slight disappointment.
★ 879 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
A little out of season, but I'm always up for new Duck-Rabbit, and I just can't imagine that, at 8.5%, that this suffered on the shelf. Pours a reddish tinged medium brown with almost no head or lace, but that is more or less to be expected for the style. The nose is rich and thick, with plenty of caramel and sweet coffee notes. The whole melange turns to dark fruit as it warms, figs or plums or something.
The dryness surprises me at first, but eventually grows on me. The coffee and caramel are there, but are mostly backloaded into the aftertaste. The body is simple, no frills sweet malt. The key here is balance as bitterness frames the whole situation. I could use a little more stiffness in the texture but I do realize, that after all, this is a lager.
It is a measure of the high regard that I hold this brewery in that this beer ranks as a slight disappointment.
★ 879 characters
Duck-Rabbit Duck-Rabbator from The Duck-Rabbit Craft Brewery
4
out of 5
based on 316 ratings.
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
I was curious about this one, so I picked up a bottle earlier today. Glad I tried it, but I don't think this merits a 6-pack as Duck Rabbit's Schwarzbier or Hoppy Bunny do.
It's a bit too sweet- the sweetness overpowers the delicate flavors that I would otherwise expect in a lager. I feel like I'm missing something, but I'm not getting that much out of this. Sad, because I have liked many of their other offerings, and want to keep supporting someone focused on dark beers. I guess I'll be doing it with their other beers.
Mainly, considering the $14/6-pack it costs, I'd prefer to buy a fair amount of other things for $10. So I'm glad I tried it, but also glad I got a single bottle for $3.
★ 698 characters