Dopplebock's - Where is the love?

So, you really don't see all of the threads bowing to the altar of hops? Or the threads holding up crucifixes and garlic to the evil "lagers?" (now, that's hyperbole ) But seriously, look around BA, the majority think malt is secondary to all.

No, not by those who know and understand all aspects of beer -- like you, me, and Alcaheute.

 

Well, that's depressing. I'm about to hit up Chicagoland for the holiday, and while I've already snagged some Autumnal Fire this year, I was hoping to potentially find some more Capital doppelbocks this time around.

A manager at the Oak Brook Binny's mentioned to me a few months ago that Capital's distributor around Chicagoland was somewhat questionable (when I asked about Autumnal Fire well after it was released, but per their database the only Binny's that had even gotten any was in Champaign), but that shouldn't affect Wisconsin distribution. I hope that's not all concentrated around Madison itself!

 

I just don't think it's hit shelves yet. Actually saw the Fire around Northern Illinois, so things aren't terribly crazy. Yet.

 

I think that's the case. They're releasing it tomorrow at the brewery and I'm assuming that means on the distribution trucks sometime next week.

 

You cherry picked a statement, but left these out.

This isn't true at all. In a recent thread I sang the praises of Trillium's Galaxy Double Dry Hopped Fort Point Pale Ale.

This thread inspired me to purchase Spaten's Optimator (somehow I've never had this one) for Thanksgiving, but I also picked up the local Wormtown Be Hoppy IPA, and a Founders Backwoods Bastard to age (I've already had a bottle/draft this season). I'll also be at a Bourbon County tap take over this Friday to have the Goose Island Bourbon County variants.

I'm glad you brought up sours. They're rated higher because it's obvious what the primary flavor is, sour. With a Doppelbock there's a lot going on, you mentioned caramel and cocoa in the Andechs. Personally I get caramel, but I don't get cocoa. But neither is a highlight that sticks out in that beer.

Compare that to the more popular beers. Or even Not Your Father's Root Beer, which is wildly popular. Because it tastes like root beer, there's no mistaking it. Grapefruit Sculpin, tastes like grapefruit. Bourbon County tastes like bourbon. Andechs Doppelbock may have caramel notes in it, but my mom loves caramel, she'd never drink that beer. It's not what sticks out, it's layered in the beautiful nuance and yes, bold flavor, overall.

I'm not even bashing today's beer geek, the popular beers do taste good! I'm simply disagreeing (and we can agree to disagree, which it's apparent we are) that today's beer geek would love a Doppelbock. The style is well regarded, relative to say, a weaker style like a Helles. But there's no mistaking Doppelbocks and beers like Westvletern 12 have been dropping in ratings as craft beer increases in popularlity. That's a fact. Doppelbocks more so than quads. The only bold and obvious in-your-face style that continues to escape the modern beer geek is the Rauchbier. And I have a feeling that's a freshness issue/lack of production from US craft breweries.

 

Picked up the HB Winter Spezial today. It's good. Maybe a little sweet, but very solid. $8.49 for a sixer of 8.4% Doppelbock is also eminently reasonable.

 

Yup, you're right - we disagree.

 

Ha, and that's all it is.

And I'm rooting for you to be right, because if Doppelbocks become more popular, US brewers will brew more. I really dig Troeggenator!

Hey, it's slowly happening with pilsners...

 

On this, we are of one mind, good sir. More pils, more thoughtfully constructed lagers (even AALs, which can be done well, IMO), more table beer, and, of course, more doppelbocks. Just to name a few of my (our) wishes!

 

Cheers to that: http://www.beeradvocate.com/community/threads/no-love-for-american-adjunct-lagers.313784/

And a Happy Thanksgiving too!!

 

Bingo. I think economics, profitability, etc play a major role in the lack of representation of the style. Why take the time to brew a Doppelbock when you can brew a few IPA'$ in the same timeframe?

 

My favorites are Andechser Dopplebock Dunkel and Weihenstephaner Korbinian.

 

you may not believe this....but there was a time when the Ayinger Celebrator Doppelbock was the highest rated beer on this site....of course, that was over 10 years ago now....

 

Ayinger Celebrator is easily my favorite

So chocolaty