Help needed to find a specific beer from Amsterdam (for a wedding)

Did you try contacting the hotel?

Otherwise, you've pretty much described a doppelbock, so you might try any of that style imported from Germany and see if it is close enough.

 

Yeah, just check out the Doppelbocks you have access to. You will probably find one you like even more. It's definitely worth a shot to see if the hotel knows what you are talking about. If they don't it's not likely you will be certain that you found the exact beer if you don't remember the name.

 

La Trappe Bockbier or Dubbel? They seem to be pretty popular in the Netherlands. These 2 selections are easily available, as singles, for you to sample in the US.

 

My first thought was La Trappe Bokbier as well. And welcome to the site!

 

It's probably Brand Doppelbock. Pretty widely available during Bokbier season (October to December).

 

I think it is Brand Dubbelbock as well. It is on the taplist of the Novotel in Amsterdam.

 

Brand Dubbelbock is definitely strong and malty. You can find a picture on this page of the Brand brewery website http://www.brand.nl/onze-bieren/dubbelbock (description only in Dutch I'm afraid).

 

What would be a good substitute for @Aerodyll to try in the US? We have access to a number of them, each with their own slightly different profile.

 

Compared to German-style bockbeer, the Dutch bockbeer tensd to be a bit sweet in taste. I'm not familiar with US doppelbock myself, but when it is in the German style (or German beers available in the US), a starting-point could be looking for a relatively sweet doppelbock.

Not familiar with all of it myself, but maybe some (quick translated) specs can give an indication:

• Fermentation: Top fermentation
• Alcohol percentage 7.5%
• Original gravity 18.0
• CaraVienne and Pale Ale malt
• Hop: Hallertau
• Finishing: dubbbele maturation
• Deep reddish-brown color (65 EBC)
• Bitterness 27 EBU level

 

Take the advice of the first few replies. Try them all!!

 

Top fermented? That sounds like a wee heavy could also be in the op's wheelhouse.

Some suggestions for @Aerodyll -
try a few of these and post back with your impressions so that we can help narrow down a better match

Doppelbock-
Paulaner Salvator (easy to find, but may be drier)
Schloss Eggenberg (sweeter but with lighter flavor, harder to find)

Wee Heavy-
Founders Dirty Bastard (sweeter, easier to find)
Traquair House Ale (drier but nicely malty in flavor, harder to find)

 

Celebrator!

 

I bet it's this - however, I'm not sure about their distribution. The brewery is in Amsterdam.

http://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/489/106500/

 

Exactly what I was thinking. (Great minds, etc., etc.) Great doppelbock, widely available, and there's no beer with a better name for the occasion. Try it and see how it compares.

 

I was in NL two years ago and tried a number of different bocks. This one was by far my favorite...perhaps you and I have similar tastes... Duits & Lauret Houtgerijpte Rook Dubbelbock http://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/22411/65190/

 

I added this beer to my shopping list. Think I have to try some of the other Duits & Lauret beers too.

I learned they are opening a shop at the Duits & Lauret brewery near Utrecht this month.

 

The Brand website clearly stats that their Doppelbock bottom fermenting. I'd have been amazed if it werre top fermented as Brand is a Lager brewery.

 

You are right. The Dutch Wikipedia need a correction about the 'bovengisting' I think.