Christian Moerlein Doppelbock

Aroma: 6 | Appearance: 8 | Mouthfeel: 8 | Flavor: 6 | Overall: 7

Bottle courtesy of alexsdad06. Pours mahogany with a thin white head. Smells vegetal and of sweet malt with some spicy hints. Tastes of chocolate, spice, caramel, some rich malty hints on the finish.

Aroma: 8 | Appearance: 8 | Mouthfeel: 7 | Flavor: 8 | Overall: 7

A vigorous pour summons forth a three-finger thick, lightly browned, tan colored head in my 25cl tulip glass. The beer is a very dark, concentrated amber / brown color that shows clear, deep red color when held up to the light. The aroma is suitably malt focused, but definitely hits some interesting notes that I haven't noticed in a Doppelbock before; almost rum-like raisin notes (without the alcohol heat), deeply caramelized toffee notes, slightly salty concentrated malt notes that are definitely rich in Maillard character and Umami like richness (some might describe this as soy, but this hasn't gotten to this point yet) as well as some light toasted malt notes in the finish.

Somewhat sweet tasting, though it is not nearly as lush or rich in mouthfeel as I was expecting (based on the aroma). Still this is rich tasting with lots of deeply caramelized, concentrated malt flavors that take on a prune / dried fig like character towards the finish. Appropriately lightly bittered in the finish with just a touch of herbal hop character up front. A touch of cocoa is noticeable in the flavor at times, but it is usually hidden by the sweeter, concentrated malt flavors. Almost has a smoky, peat like character to it; it definitely tastes a bit like the sea, in the same way a good Scotch Whisky can. Other flavors of dried currants, toffee and a light nuttiness. As it warms up a bit the beer becomes a bit more lush in mouthfeel and is actually just about spot on with a palate coating heft and viscousness that makes this a sipping brew.

Interesting and certainly a good example of a Doppelbock. This is actually better than I expected and once it starts to warm up a bit, from its initial serving temperature of 50°F / 10°C, the body starts to get a bit more rich and has a fullness which helps carry the rich malt flavors.

Aroma: 6 | Appearance: 7 | Mouthfeel: 6 | Flavor: 7 | Overall: 6

After a miserable experience with their dunkel, I was a little apprehensive about this beer. I do enjoy a nice doppelbock and Celebrator has set the standards very high for me. The beer pours out a dark brown color, deep ruby red when held to a light. A one-finger thick off-white head floats atop the beer but quickly melts away leaveing little evidence there was a head in the first place. Aroma is roasted malts and light caramel. Nothing overly sweet or roasted. Flavor is the same with a little more sweetness showing on the palate, balanced out nicely with the acrid roast. A nice beer, nothing complex. Smooth finish, tasty. Recommended!