Style: Dopplebock

ABV: 8.3

99/100

Aroma:	12
Appearance:	3
Flavor:	20
Mouthfeel:	5

EPIC Brewing Company Double Skull Doppelbock

What the brewers say

Originally brewed as liquid bread by fasting monks, this doppelbock is rich and filling. Crisp and delicious for the winter months.

What our panel thought

Aroma: Pronounced malt aroma with subtle spicy, floral hop notes. Pils malt dominates, but toffee and light chocolate are there, too. Great melanoidin profile. Some earthiness as well.

Flavor: Malty sweetness is the first impression. Nice complexity as the flavor develops. Toast, toffee, and cocoa complement dark fruit flavors. Moderate hop bitterness lingers alongside the malt, and hop flavor is relatively pronounced. The more I drink it, the more I like it.

Overall: An excellent, almost quaffable doppelbock, which is surprising given the alcohol. Exhibits complexity of the best doppelbocks, and malt nuances continue to evolve as it warms. Nice, clean lager finish. I could imagine putting this in my fridge...but not for long!

What our editors thought

Review printed in: Enlightened Lagers (Fall 2014) (View All Issues)

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Epic Brewing Brainless Belgian-style Golden Ale

“Spicy nose with some warming hints. Rich malt with light fruit, candy sugar, white-pepper notes. Hop character is an afterthought. Gets more interesting as it warms. Finish is sweeter and softer than a typical golden strong, but it’s still very pleasant.”

Epic Brewing Double Skull

Aroma: “Moderate toasty malt with light bread crust at first that turns into prune and pear, but also vegetal, wet bready malt, and bread pudding. Floral and spicy hops. Overally, nose is a bit muted, and a bit more malt on the nose would help set the stage for what’s to come.” Flavor: “Roasted malt, caramel, coffee, slight chocolate. Slight floral/spicy hops. Clean lager fermentation. Noticeable, but not harsh, alcoholic warmth. Slightly sweet (but not cloying) finish that is dried out a bit by the alcohol. Some strong earthy mushroom notes add an umami richness to it.” Overall: “Sweet and yummy. Malt complexity is somewhat lacking, but nice Munich-malt character. Low roast, some toasted bread notes, and just enough sweetness to suggest bread pudding.”

pFriem Family Brewers Doppelbock

“Medium-low burnt caramel sweetness with a backend present roast that comes through in the flavor. Hints of light caramel, prune, and fig. The sweetness carries the beer without cloying, complemented by an herbal spice note.”

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