Doppelbock - Einstok Review
There are two types of holiday beers out there, ones with a lot of strange ingredients in them, and ones that are hearty, rich, and a cheerful homage to Olde Christmas. And while there’s nothing wrong with those beers with strange ingredients, we in the Brew household love deep colors and strong ales and lagers.
Just seeing Doppelbock on the side of an Einstok can gives us a shiver of excitement that has us reaching for our wool sweaters. Doppel means double, and the bock-style is one of our favorite beers, and also a Texas favorite. A double bock is the most decadent and exciting Christmastime treat, and one from Iceland to boot.
Doppelbocks are known for a dense malt character, and Einstok uses all the best in Munich, Pilsner, Crystal, and Chocolate malts, alongside three Bavarian hops. This gives us a warming 6.7% ABV to cheer us on a cold winter night.
We expect a lot from our bock beers, and even more so from our doppelbocks, so let’s see how this traditional German lager coming to us via Iceland stacks up.
First Impressions:
On the Eyes--Clear, deep brown, and a twinkle of ruby shines through when held up to the light. That hearty color is topped with a beige head that maintains well.
On the Nose--Wonderfully rich in malt aroma while still maintaining that lager crispness. The Munich and Pilsner malt are sweet and inviting with added notes of caramel and chocolate coming through.
On the Palate--Complex malt flavor with a stair-step from caramel to biscuit to chocolate and reaching the landing with a roasted and dry finish that lingers quite pleasantly. There’s a touch of alcohol warmth right when it touches your lips that hangs on through the finish. The body is full on the back of all that malt but still smooth and easy drinking. The Bavarian hops add just the right amount of floral spiciness to keep this malt-forward doppelbock from being too sweet but still allow it to maintain that long, lingering finish.
Food Pairings: Einstok recommends pairing this German beast with roast turkey, brisket, pork loin, lamb chops, ham, short ribs, duck, and hamborgarhryggur (an Icelandic glazed ham). If you're feeling even more adventurous (and definitely not counting calories) they suggest trying it with chocolate cake, creme brulee, ice cream, and gelato. The truth about a doppelbock is that it pairs well with almost everything.
Final Thoughts:
This beer is not shy. That’s the easiest place to start with such a complex beer. The deep German roots come through in a wonderful homage but Einstok brings their own Icelandic flair that makes them so popular. It’s rather light in the mouth with a full and almost oaky finish.
Einstok’s Doppelbock is fun to drink and well deserving of the title of winter warmer. It’s a hearty, high ABV lager that is the friend of all food and holiday festivities. It’s officially one of my favorites from Einstok.
Cheers!
Mr. Brew