Online Doppelbock Tasting - February 4th

Ive got troegenator & watching the longest yard (1974).
I always watch that movie on super bowl weekend...

 

Decided to go with the Troegenator because of the 3 it's been the longest since I last had one.

Never reviewed or rated a beer before so forgive my likely fumblings, faux pas and lack of original descriptors. Anyway, here goes...
A
Pours a crystal clear garnet/ruby-tinged brown, with at most a 1-finger head that dissipates to a ring within a minute. 4

S
Hmm, been out in the cold a lot today so maybe I'm a bit stuffed, but not getting too much beyond a subtle fruity quality. 3.25

T
Thankfully much more going on here and as good as I remember from past consumptions.

M
medium-light bodied, with just enough heft on the tongue to remind you know the beer's got some strength. 4

O
Very solid and deserving of more frequent purchases than I've made thus far.
3.75

 

As I said, the first went down fast. Moving on to doppelbock #2, which is at least European.

Birra Moretti La Rossa


Now this actually resembles a doppelbock. It is dark, which is a good start. The aroma isn't bursting, but the signature smell is there: a little roasty, a lot bready, and a hint of smoky and savory. The flavor is all of those things as well, and the body is nice and soft for a lager. Judging by the code on the bottle, I assumed this was bottled in 2015, so admittedly my plan for this one was to have a few drinks and use the rest to cook my pork chops in. It is tastier than I anticipated, so I am slightly disappointed about my decision. But, I have plenty of beer to drink, so I will survive .

 

Did we just become best friends!?

 

My very first impressions on Eiche definitely.

 

First Celebrator ...!? Congrats and welcome to the wonderful world of doppelbock's!

 

I think you described why I fell in love with Salvator back in the mid-1990s when I first found the good beer. It was super sweet, and to me back then, it was so, so good. But that's compared to nothing ... it was the only doppelbock I tried until about 2013.

Drinking the Andech's, I definitely ran into "malty" over sweet. The nose was pretty sugary, but the flavor was super dense and much drier.

 

We don't get too many examples here in the US, but the Italians can make some legit bocks for sure.

 

Taking a break for a while? That can only mean one thing I hope... Schlenkerla is next?

 

From my memory of those days, the Paulaner also has a bigger flavor profile, which compensated for the sweetness better than the one I had tonight, which seemed a bit washed out.

 

Actually no, I'm playing it straight tonight. Plus it was an opportunity to have some beers I haven't had in a while. I just think I need a palate reset at this point, so I'll have another style, watch a show, and be back with my take on one that is very popular so far. Cheers!

 

Just opened and poured the first glass of Double Vision from Grand Teton. A ton of malty sweetness. But it releases off the back off the mouth without unpleasant aftertaste .
When I was downstairs grabbing this I was thrilled that I still have one. Seems like it will keep.

 

I'm going to start things off with the lesser of the two I purchased (I also got a Korbinian). To be honest, Salvator was never my favorite dopplebock. I always felt that the flavors were more muddled compared to other examples of the style. Keeping an open mind because tastes do change over time as I'm sure you are all aware



I'll spare you guys a proper full review. I'm a true believer that less is more plus I'm not a huge fan of flavor descriptors anyway. Everyone has different palates so my "caramel" might be your "toffee". Anyway, as you can see it's pretty hazy. Quite hazier than I recall. The head was just fine and the aroma is quite rich and malt forward. You could tell beforehand it was gonna be a sweet one. Caramel and dark fruits. A tiny hint of herbs from the hops and perhaps bit of fruity ester from the sediment.

It's still that muddled dopplebock that I remembered. It's not an awful Bock but it's certainly not something I'd buy regularly. I should've bought Spaten Optimator instead.

Oh well. C+

Heard this song at the store when I was buying it at the store. Middle school memories

 

Damn, timed out. Anyway, finishing up with the Troegenator...

T
Thankfully much more going on here and as good as I remember from past consumptions.
Ephemeral dark, vinous fruit notes, just a bit more potent than the nose, weaving in and out of a more dominant dark bread crust. Just enough bitterness on the finish to dispel any unpleasant cloying quality.

 

I think he broke his fuckin' neck.

 

I'll try to provide notes shortly, was saving this one for tonight once I saw the posting. Pipeworks Goat Collector. First time they've ever done the style.