Tonight's haul....one of the biggest surprises of my life. With no further adieu...the Sam Adam's Doppel Bock:
Pouring into my widemouth Guiness pint short mug. Three fingers of heavy head over a beautiful ruby red-brown hue. The spitting image of the Paulaner Salvator, from a distance. The nose is just the faintest hint of malt...nothing indicating what is to come.
Malt explosion. Absolutely dreamy. Caramel, a hint of raisin and some yummy spice at the end, but mostly just smooth, creamy malt. This is a better example of what a dopple bock should be than many of the German imports. This is by far the best beer Sam A. has ever made. Very drinkable and a smooth, pleasant mouthfeel...but definitely the alcohol is there (a whopping 8.8%, which is almost unheard of from a big box brewer). It's pleasant, and well blended, but this one is a sipper still. If I had to offer a criticism, there's a bit more carbonation than I prefer in the style (although that may be just my bottle) but to be fair it cuts the richness quite a bit. Some reviewers have claimed a 'metallic' flavor but I don't pick that up.
I'm not sure if it's that the beer is
that good, but I absolutely love the style and there are some pretty watery American (and German) versions out there, so getting the real thing from a 'big' brewery is a knockout surprise. This offering is as to their regular Boston Lager as...well...I just don't have an adequate metaphor. Curiously, according to the website this beer is not available 'Due to legal restrictions, Samuel AdamsŪ Double Bock can not be sold in the states of Alabama, Arizona, Georgia, Iowa, Louisiana, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee, and West Virginia.'
My condolances to the inhabitants of those states. Highly recommended.