Samuel Adams - Double Bock (Imperial Series)

Just as the British pushed their style further with Imperial beers, the Germans also experimented with higher level specialty beers. The original Doppelbock (or Double Bock) was also brewed to be a stronger version of its original bock beer style. Monks first brewed Double Bock to help them through their Lenten fast. One cannot help but appreciate Samuel Adams Double Bock's huge malt character.  They use an enormous amount of malt, half a pound per bottle, to brew this intensely rich lager.  Its deep brown-ruby color is all made in the kettle, no black malt is used, resulting in a rich sweetness that is free of the rough taste of burnt malt.  All that remains is the velvet smooth flavor and mouth feel of the two-row malt. Samuel Adams Double Bock's intense malt character is balanced with a subtle piney, citrus hop note from the Noble hops.

The ABV is 9.5 and the IBU rating is 10
Style - Imperial Doppelbock
Glass to use- Pint Glass, Dimpled Mug, Snifter, Oversized Wine Glass
Delivery 12oz Bottle

Can be cellared for long periods, under the proper conditions.

The Pour - Pours a dark ruby color with a big cream head and good lacing.
Aroma - As soon as I popped the cap, Wham! The malts hit the air followed by lots of raisins then some spice, very intense.
Taste - Same as the smell strong malt and caramel followed immediately with the raisins. Taste just like an aged English Barleywine (J.W. Lees comes in mind).
Mouth Feel - Carbonation is just right. Velvety smooth.
Drinkable - I only chilled for an hour and sampled it at around 55F. Very drinkable, I cannot wait to taste this after it has aged for a year or five.  I think SA should reclassify this brew.  Then again I have never had an Imperial Dobblebock.

This beer pairs well with pork, cheese, chocolate and other deserts.

This beer gets a Duper rating of A+.
BeerAdvocate Rating =B+
Ratebeer Rating = 86

Related articles

• Day 205 Drink: Troegenator Double Bock (lyke2drink.blogspot.com)
• Today's drinking events: All About Bocks, Toast to the Children and Wine at the Farm (timeoutny.com)
• Behind the scenes at the Samuel Adams brewery (news.cnet.com)