Sam Adams Double Bock

[steveh]

Boston Beer Co., 12 oz. bottle. Label reads: "dark lager," wonder if that's legal in all states... 8.8% ABV. For reference, Löwenbräu's Triumphator is 7.6%. Once again, Mr. Koch pushes the envelope.

Clear, ruby red with a thick, light tan head that holds up well.

Vinous, fruity nose with some toffee/caramel notes back. Some earthiness and big DMS with warming.

Initial maltty, caramel flavor with dark fruits back and a dry, spicy hops and alcohol finish. Some solvent notes with warmth.

Medium-heavy body with a smooth, syrupy mouth-feel.

A very complex, warming brew. Very fruit-filled in nose and flavor for a lager - style guidelines say some prune, plum, or grape is acceptable - but this beer isn't as balanced between the malt and esters as a Salvator or Optimator (both lower in alcohol too). Not as clean in flavor or aroma as you should expect from a lager either. Not to say that this brew is undrinkable by any means, it's very good; interesting and complex. But I have to say that the alcohol leaves me groggy the next day, even after only one bottle.

S.

[newportstorm]

Originally posted by steveh
But I have to say that the alcohol leaves me groggy the next day, even after only one bottle.

Lightweight ;)

I have some from last year still in the cellar - may be time to break them open.

Prosit!

[steveh]

Originally posted by newportstorm
Lightweight ;)

Yeah, I know. I'm blaming age - I used to be able to down high-octane brews all night!

S.

[newportstorm]

Yeah, I started last night with a Saranac Chocolate Amber Lager and finished with a Paper City Denogginator DBock - slept like a rock.

[chazwicke]

So maybe I'll try that for insomnia. :D

[wortchillergoal]

Originally posted by newportstorm
Yeah, I started last night with a Saranac Chocolate Amber Lager and finished with a Paper City Denogginator DBock - slept like a rock.

Newport, you can get Saranac products in RI?

I was not fond of the Chocolate Amber but enjoy some of their other products.

[fretlessman71]

<--shudders.....

Chocolate AMBER? Somehow that just doesn't make sense...

[newportstorm]

Originally posted by wortchillergoal
Newport, you can get Saranac products in RI?

I was not fond of the Chocolate Amber but enjoy some of their other products.

Yup. They're OK for the most part - don't usually buy them myself, but a buddy of mine bought a mixed 12pack and gave me any of the "darker" beers - Mocha Stout, Choc. Amber Lager, Black Forest, etc.

The Chocolate Amber was decent - wouldn't buy a sixer of it, but it was far from a drain pour. Have heard good things about the Black Forest - maybe drink it tonight.

Cheers!

[fretlessman71]

Ahh! As a lager it seems to make a little more sense. Is it just me, or would that combo taste AWFUL as an ale?

[hops99]

The Chocolate Amber was decent - wouldn't buy a sixer of it, but it was far from a drain pour. Have heard good things about the Black Forest - maybe drink it tonight.

I actually thought the ESB in this year's Christmas 12 pack was pretty good.

[steveh]

Originally posted by fretlessman71
Ahh! As a lager it seems to make a little more sense. Is it just me, or would that combo taste AWFUL as an ale?

Not if it was caramel flavored enough in the malts to balance with the chocolate, I suppose. Can't overdo the chocolate so much either, without a heavier roasted malt character to balance it. Just my thoughts, though, never tried the Sarnac.

S.

[ADR]

Well, personally, i would be thankful that the Caramel Porter didn't count as a darker beer from the pack...

I like Sammy's D-Bock, slightly too alcoholic and sticky, and it approaches that malty sense that reminds me of "meaty" if I think about it too much...

[newportstorm]

Originally posted by ADR
Well, personally, i would be thankful that the Caramel Porter didn't count as a darker beer from the pack...

I like Sammy's D-Bock, slightly too alcoholic and sticky, and it approaches that malty sense that reminds me of "meaty" if I think about it too much...

Oh, but it did. I'll give the Caramel Porter a try. Went with the Mocha Stout last night. A bit too thin and dry for my liking - more like a chocolatey Dry Irish Stout. Easy to drink, at least - not a drain pour.

And I dig the "meaty" aspect of some DBocks. The old Z Street Procreator was loaded with it when fresh. Mmmmm! To each their own.

Cheers!

[fretlessman71]

I miss Sam's D-Bock... don't see it too often around here. Went to a brewshop in Boulder the other day that had over 2,000 empty bottles surrounding the place on the inside, and they had many Samuel Adams from about 15 years ago, with the old label. Boy, did those take me back....:)

[chazwicke]

I've not purchased any SA specialty beers in a long while. Some of the ones being discussed sound interesting.

[fretlessman71]

Yeah, like the Black Lager and the White Ale. Could you pour them together and have an "Ebony & Ivory"? :)

[steveh]

Originally posted by ADR
I like Sammy's D-Bock, slightly too alcoholic and sticky, and it approaches that malty sense that reminds me of "meaty" if I think about it too much...

Meaty, as in a beefy, meat tenderizer flavor? Or more in the big, chewy mouth-feel category?

S.

Desperately hoping it's the mouth-feel...

[fretlessman71]

Don't they use raw beef in some British ales? Thought I'd read that somewhere...

[steveh]

No, that was rats in the Guinness! :eek:

S.

[fretlessman71]

Interesting - "meaty" is the last thing I think of when I have a Guinness...

[steveh]

Or Ratty. :(

S.

[chazwicke]

I think we addressed the Guinness rumors in another thread. Regardless, If the used raw meat, I'd drink it because it is tasty.

[fretlessman71]

I'd probably know if it did, because I'd be in the bathroom laying on the ground for hours on end... :(

[steveh]

Oh...I think that if the Urban Legend* turned out to be true, I'd have to give Guinness a second thought...

S.

*Emphasis because I want everyone who hasn't seen the other discussion to know we're joking.

[fretlessman71]

Fair distinction. For the record, Guinness has no "rats" in it, regardless of what the Dropkick Murphys might have to say about it. :)

[BluesHarp]

Originally posted by steveh
Yeah, I know. I'm blaming age - I used to be able to down high-octane brews all night!

S.

...so you're telling me I have only one more good year???:(

[steveh]

Originally posted by BluesHarp
...so you're telling me I have only one more good year???:(

Well, since this started about 2 years ago...you may be closer than you think!!

S.

[steveh]

Originally posted by ADR
I like Sammy's D-Bock, slightly too alcoholic and sticky, and it approaches that malty sense that reminds me of "meaty" if I think about it too much...

Meaty, as in a beefy, meat tenderizer flavor? Or more in the big, chewy mouth-feel category?

Desperately hoping it's the mouth-feel...

Dredging up this old thread because I'm sampling some Sam Double tonight (2 years later) and wondered if I had any old notes to compare.

Funny thing is, one character I notice in the brew is a slight molasses flavor that leans to meat tenderizer! I'm sure it's the big malt and some unattenuated flavor in there -- it's good nonetheless.

Only thing I might change from my original review is that this year's batch appears more chestnut in color than ruby -- very pretty and appetizing.

S.

[ratman03]

Great review, Steve. I didn't realize the 8.8% abv, that's heavy duty. In comparison, Salvator is 7.9%. Nonetheless, you have to credit Boston Beer for making such a niche style, since the average beer consumer has no idea what a double bock is.

Originally posted by fretlessman71
I miss Sam's D-Bock... don't see it too often around here.

Why would you, what with all the great local beer on the Front Range! What we need is a Double Bock that is based on 90-Shilling. Oh wait, that's an ale...

Originally posted by ADR
I like Sammy's D-Bock, slightly too alcoholic and sticky, and it approaches that malty sense that reminds me of "meaty" if I think about it too much...

You want meaty, try Ayinger Celebrator ;)

[steveh]

Originally posted by ratman03
I didn't realize the 8.8% abv, that's heavy duty.

Oh yeah, you don't appreciate the fact until the next morning -- more than one and I'm pounding all the next day.

You want meaty, try Ayinger Celebrator

I like Celebrator, but I never found it any more enjoyable than the usual Bavarian Doppels -- which isn't to say it's bad, just another in the line of every day Doppelbocks {;)}

S.

[fretlessman71]

Originally posted by ratman03
Why would you, what with all the great local beer on the Front Range! What we need is a Double Bock that is based on 90-Shilling. Oh wait, that's an ale...



You want meaty, try Ayinger Celebrator. LOVE Celebrator. And Odell did a 180/360 Shilling Barleywine last year that was UN-FRICKIN-BELIEVABLE. You really missed out. ;)