Starkbierzeit 2022

I think they brew blonde doppelbock every year for their bockfest. Not sure how often it is packaged.

This article says that he tweaked the dark doppelbock recipe: https://isthmus.com/food-drink/beer/back-in-bock-sort-of/

Based on the Winter skal I purchased, he still hasn't got things figured out

I am going to buy Maibock--I guess I'm a sentimental sucker, but I'll give them another try.

 

Definitely understandable. Given that their seasonal and year-round six packs are 7.49 (they were that price a couple of months or so ago) where I buy them, it's not as big of a gamble to me. Like I said, sentiment plays a strong part here as well.

Fair enough, but I'd take it over a myriad of the ridiculous artwork I see on loads of the DDH IPA and fruit-smoothie sour 4-packs. Plus, if the beer is good, I don't give a crap how the packaging looks.

 

I don't think you should consider 'Autumnal Fire' a seasonal--more like a special release or something similar. It may have been more of a seasonal for Capital at one time, but I look at it the same as blonde/dark doppelbock now.

The 'seasonals' I'm talking about are Oktoberfest, Winter Skal, Maibock, etc. Your more standard offerings.

 

I suppose that would be a bit more accurate for my question, but the 'Helles' made me think pale and malty, thus a strong Maibock. I know the Classic Samichlaus is up around 15% but I didn't look it up to realize that the Helles is also up at that level.

 

I found I have one can of this beer left --- a Starkbierzeit thread and a Starkbier - well, how could I not?

Schell’s Snowstorm Oat Starkbier
ABV: 6.1%
IBU: NA

Schell's brewed this as this year's edition of their on-going Snowstorm winter beer series. I first tried it, and reviewed it, during NBW #73, on Dec 11, 2021. You can check out my review from back then here.

Clear dark amber, well carbonated, with a tall, thick, off-white head. The head has excellent retention, forming a uneven, rocky surface as it does fade, leaving an abundance of sticky lacing that remains glued to the glass until the end.

Lightly roasted aroma with woodsy, earthy smell. Malty. Hints of evergreen.

The taste is malty, earthy, slightly spicy or hints of spruce. Some roastiness. The bready malts with the spice/spruce continue throughout, picking up some bittering just ahead of the finish. The whole harmonic intermingling of flavors continues into the aftertaste. This particular can is now 3-4 months past its packaging date, and the evergreen has perhaps faded a bit, but it is still a fine example of a winter doppelbock.

The body is moderate to substantial and the mouthfeel is smooth with a touch of hops.

Overall, quite nice and enjoyable!

I didn't bother to re-rate this beer. Here are my ratings from last December:

L: 4.0 | S: 4.0 | T: 4.25 | F: 3.75 | O: 4.0 | Rating: 4.08

 

Tonight I went with one of my favorite Weizen-based doppelbocks: Schneider Weisse Aventinus. Actually, this is my favorite doppelbock. What an enjoyable way to wind down from the week.

I think that I prefer this over the Aventinus Eisbock. Both are good, but this is not as sweet and is more obviously a Weizenbock.

This would be all 5's except the head dissipated too quickly.


look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
Composite Score: 4.94


0.5 L bottle
Glass: .5L Schneider Aventinus Weizenbock Vase
Serving Temp: ~45 degrees F


Look: Medium brown that is opaque from the yeast. I can't see my fingers at all through the glass, not even at the narrow point. 1.5" beige head dissipates to a thing coating and then disappears. This is abnormal for Aventinus; I find it to be typically a foam bomb, especially if it gets to 50 degrees F when pouring. Next time I have one, I'll update my look rating.

Smell: Absolutely wonderful. Spiced plums and pears. Rum-soaked dried fruits such as raisins and currants. Rich brown sugar. Overripe bananas. Bread dough.

Taste: As good as it smells, if not better. Cloves bite at the front, which keeps the sweetness dampened and balanced. Rich toffee and toasted caramel with plums, those rum-soaked dried fruits and the overripe banana. Whole wheat bread. Some pepper and maybe a dash of cinnamon. Finishes somewhat dry with lingering sweetness and cloves.

Feel: Rich and creamy with a body that is on the heavier side of medium.

Overall: What a joy to drink. A phenomenal beer. This earns it's World Class reputation. Although one can smell and taste rum-soaked fruit, the alcohol is quite well hidden. Very easy to drink. Dangerously so. .5L at 8.2% is about a 12% 12-oz. Goes down smooth as silk but will then hit you like a sledgehammer if you aren't careful. Great stuff. This is one of my favorite beers, and has been for well over a decade, if not 2. Absolutely worth trying.

This is for a 2.5 year old bottle that made the trip across The Pond, assuming the date on the bottle is the bottling date. If the date the Best By date, this is even older. It is better fresh vom Fass.

 

Gotahold Brewing's Daily Bread Dopplebock. Here's my original review

https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/59462/585596/?ba=russpowell#lists

& Tonight, I am mostly getting cakey dryness with woody hops. A lot of the spicy notes are no longer noticeable. Dryness/toastyness is way more pronounced

 

I'm drinking/testing the Capital beers now:
Fresh Blonde Doppelbock: It's Ok nothing great, maybe has some diacetyl but it fits in with the flavor profile so it's hard to pick out when fresh.
https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/368/2963/

Dark DoppelBock about 5 months old:
It went down hill fast, lost flavor fast and has diacetyl, it was good when very fresh.
https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/368/989/

Fishin' In The Dark: about 9 months old. This held up good, still very drinkable but past it's prime
has a little diacetyl

Maibock, over 1 year old keep in cold storage in the back of a beer fridge, 12oz bottle
It's still drinkable, the hops are almost all gone, smooth sweet and malty. plenty of carbonation left in it. Better than I thought it was going to be. Has diacetyl.

 

Do you think Stark Brewing in NH brews a Starkbier?

 

Oh no. I'd smell another lawsuit brewing.

 

This is a beer I have had many times, and yet had never taken any notes. That ends tonight!

While the formal review will include comment on appearance, you can see it here for yourself. The malt aromas are rich and alluring, with faint floral hops. Sweet toasted sugar leads to dates and light mace, while raisin bread lingers in the background. Warmth brings out sweet black coffee. The flavors build on the aroma, with charred sugar, dates and pumpernickel bread. The sweetness is less than expected from the aroma and in balance with the roasted bitterness. The finish is full on pumpernickel that seems to last forever. Warmth amps-up the roasted malt, adds a toasted quality to the bread, while mellowing the already modest sweetness. The body is medium to full, with a creamy texture. The alcohol feels about as labeled. Carbonation has an initial burst before calming to a light prickling sensation. Residual sugar builds on the lips. Just as I sat down, an intense and sudden electrical storm roared through, enhancing the experience. Celebrator is the quintessential bread in a glass.

Here’s a little something to enjoy when you pop open one for yourself.

 

Waldmann Doppelbock, (Saint Paul, MN)
March 2022 release, website claims 8.7% ABV, Drink from a 750ml crowler canned 3/3/2022
Look: chestnut brown body that is semi transparent copper amber when held to the beer light. nice head tall thick fine, maybe a little too thick: foam floates that don't go away. leaves plenty of lacing.
Smell: Toasted bread
Taste: Heavy toasted bread, caramel, just a hint of stonewashed dark fruit. A micro hint of spice (pumpernickel bread maybe), Plus something else ? But it tastes good. Smooth not really all that sweet.
Feel is nice, soft and a little creamy. Plenty of slow releasing carbonation.
Doesn't seem like 8.7% abv in anyway. I think it's 6.8% ABV
A solid beer I will give it a 3.98/5
https://untappd.com/b/waldmann-brewery-waldmann-doppelbock/3047207
https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/50617/419012/

Anybody try Fulton Doppelbock or Barrel aged doppel? taproom only
https://untappd.com/b/fulton-beer-doppelbock/3393405