Doppel-Hirsch Bavarian Doppelbock

Looking for something a little more robust than the schwarzbier I just polished off, I turned to my trusty fridge and selected an interesting looking bottle of Doppelbock - the Doppel-Hirsch from Privatbrauerei Höss, with a cheeky pair of stags on it’s appealing label. For some reason this bottle immediately put me in mind of autumn, my favourite time of the year, with sunlit misty mornings and crisp frosty walks through the woods with my faithful hound by my side. I probably want a wood fire and a big plate of peppery mushrooms to go with it. And some lederhosen.

None of those are to be though, at least not today. What I do have is a flip-top bottle with a half-liter of hyper-pure double bock… soon to be consumed. A deep-brown crystal-clear pour, a noseful of hops, and a thick, creamy texture help this slip down pretty easy.

On the (very slight) downside however, it’s sweet and slightly sticky, and although I really like it, I don’t think it’s quite up there with the rest of the double bocks I’ve had in the past. Not far off, but not quite there. I’ll definitely try it again, though, just to make sure

JBB6 Rating: Will Buy Again

Spaten Optimator

After a long absence, today brought happy news to the Home of Po in the shapely form of a pint bottle containing fine and tasty double bock - a bottle of Spaten Optimator, to be precise. The more double bock I drink, the more I like it, and clearly I’m not alone. Spaten have been knocking out beer “since 1397″, according to the label. And no, that’s not a typo - man, they really know their stuff.

Optimator is a deep brown glassful of fairly heavy malty goodness, brewed (but of course) with the nothing but the purest ingredients. It’s tasty, too - molasses, malt, something sugary and burnt at the back of my mind - it’s all good, and very easy to drink. A little too easy, considering it’s over seven percent abv… oops! No wonder their web site spends a while extolling the health virtues of beer. Did you know, for example, this:

A scientific study undertaken at the Technical University of Munich concluded that the collection of minerals and trace elements in beer have a favorable effect on nerves and muscle strength, electrolyte usage, enzyme activation and hormone levels.

Probably not! But now you do - and there’s more facts over there that prove that beer’s not just nice, it’s actually really good for you. If it was all as good as this, I’d probably believe them.

JBB6 Rating: Will Buy Again

Wasatch Beers The Devastator Double Bock

Having gone through one batter from Wasatch and Squatters already, I didn’t know if we would have a perfect inning or not… well, thank god they came through with their 4th beer of the trip.  We finally were able to step out of the alcohol content restrictions and enjoy a beer that they really only get to sell at the liquor stores.  Wasatch Beers The Devastator Double Bock delivered and then some with a hearty full flavored beer with a good head, clean bitter hop taste that stays on the tongue (not down the throat), and solid ABV.  While some thought this was a bit tart, I tend to think it was just right and perfect for the category.

JBB6 Rating: Will Buy Again

Ayinger Celebrator Doppelbock

Another day older, another day wiser, and hurray! Another bottle of doppelbock to knock back. Like this one - dark chocolate liquid swirls nicely into the glass, producing a hefty but short-lived malty head and a comfortingly sweet aroma that reminds me (in nothing but a good way) of homebrew.

Must have been doing something right, back in the day when I made my own, for this is good stuff. As I’m sipping this one, there’s little hints of malt, and nuts, and a rich complex brown-ness that reminds you Germans really do know how to make kick-ass beer.

 

Also, I really really like the goats on the label.

JBB6 Rating: For the Win

Paulaner Salvator

Munich. One of the world’s greatest beer cities, and a place I’ve been fortunate enough to spend a significant part of my life, for which I am eternally grateful. Paulaner. One of my favourite breweries, bar none. For 350-plus years, those old monks have been knocking out some beer that’ll knock your socks off. To get me into a fairly pain-free state, I thought this bottle of Salvator (the Saviour, no less!) would make for a decent start to the day. At 7.9% ABV, it’s certainly got some balls.

This is clearly one of the classic Bock-style lagers of Germany - a deep, rich brown pint with a wickedly malty aroma and taste. From the first pour it looks great, and the high alcohol content is obvious from the off. As you raise your glass, breathe deep - it smells amazing.

Sip, gently sip. You don’t want to rush something this good, and I doubt you’d feel too great if you did. Beer like this needs time, and respect, and an appreciative tongue. Give it that, and it’ll reward you well. Quite simply one of the best pints I’ve had in a long time.

 

 QFC has one waiting just for you. Pick it up.

JBB6 Rating: JustBeer Blog Hall of Fame