Church Brew Non-Denominator Doppel Bock

Brewed by Church Brew Works
Style: Doppelbock
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania USA

Draft: Blackened plum. Thick, dense, creamy, light tan head. Leathery malts, black cherries, shoe polish, and black licorice in the aroma. Subtle iron with more bready lushness, caramelized sugar, and roast underneath. Soft, creamy carbonation. Thick, full mouthfeel. Rich bready malts strike first alongside chocolate, spicy licorice and a late, but tasty surge of coffee and roasted hazelnuts. Somewhat Imperial Stoutish with its underlying tar richness. Clean alcohol deepens the flavors and reduces some of the sweetness, but the body remains oh so thick. Lurking interplay between chocolate-covered dried plums and toasted malts. Slight tannins penetrate the richness and tingle the palate. Retains its malt girth on into the finish with a thick, sensuous melted raisin texture and notes of dark chocolate, mineral, and medium roast. Delectably intense and gutsy, Doppelbock, which, amazingly, never becomes cloying.

Great dark brown, diminishing head. Most opague of any domestic doppel I’ve seen. Aroma of raisin, toffee, and red grape. Thick, full mouthfeel with loads of malt, some roastiess yet still very sweet in a caramelized fruit sort of way. Vanilla overtones. Sticky caramel/black licorice finish. Very unusual and complex for a domestic doppel. Despite the licorice overtones I really enjoyed it. Too bad it was last call and I couldn’t finish the glass without chugging it.

Hand bottled by Jeff (aka TAR), thanks buddy! The brew has a deep brown hue with a creamy tan head, very good lace, and an oily film. The aroma has notes of roasted dark malts, caramel, licorice, prune, plum, light walnut, aromatic hops, and earthy yeast esters. The taste starts with a crisp and sharp bitterness. This is quickly followed by a roasty and chocolate malt tone which lingers forever. There is a fruity (prune mostly) , hint of coffee, and mild hop bitterness on the finish. Wonderfully complex flavors. The feel is medium to full-bodied with a oily and sticky nature. Crisp and mildly biting on the finish (mostly from the alcohol). A classy brew from a unique brewery. I like it and would say it is a must find.

Dates, caramelized nuts and molasses. Buttery, raisin flavor >> not diacetyl. Rich rotten walnut color. Soft, malty maple syrup finish.

Ruby hued mahogany. Thin tan edge head. Medium light body. Crisper than expected. Vinous fruit, toasted malts and a bitter sweetness. Touch sticky. Warming alcohol. Molasses finish. Solid.

Hand bottled by TAR - many thanks Jeff. Opaque dark brown, with a touch of red. Pours with a frothy tan head that quicky dissipates. Aroma is sweet like prunes, carmel with a bit of coffee. Robust fruity sweet flavor. Sweet toffeeish finish - a fine beer.

On Tap@ Church Brew, Served in 10oz. stem glass.

Poured very dark, with a thin cream colored head. Fast dissipating, but stayed present around the edges. (Second one had a huge, creamy, head that laced the glass). Aroma not present until it warmed up, which then I picked up Vanilla and malt tones. Flavor was sweet at first. I got banana undertones, with vanilla hints and malts. Slightly bitter as it warmed up toward the end. Cola like mouthfeel. Medium bodied. Overall pretty good.

Deep black color with a creamy head on it. A little sweet and a little malty. It cleared the palate surprisingly quickly considering its alcohol content.