Coney Island Human Blockhead

Shmaltz Brewing Company
Brewed at Olde Saratoga Brewing (Mendocino Brewing Co.)
Style: Doppelbock
San Francisco, California USA

I liked this because its not pretentious. Never would have guessed this was a doppel, aroma was vaguely malty and nose tickling evaporating alcohol, flavor was just a big burst of mildly sweet and fruity malt and more hops then you would expect in a bock. How they got that fruit with lager yeast is perplexing. lot of people thought it was to boozy,,but I thought it was fine. Reminded me of those summer time whoppatooees

Bomber. No date, but I’m drinking this too late in the year (didn’t realize it was a Jan-March seasonal doppelbock). Pours clear amber, but looks syrupy. Resilient head. A somewhat boozy brew, sweet crystal malts, some fruit. Six hop varieties seem excessive for a malt bomb. A sipper. Long finish. good, not great.

He’brew?!? Schmaltz?+*&% Olde Saratoga??? Mendocino?>":+*%$#. What is this beer trivia? Anyway this beer is pretty good. Thick sweet and syrupy. The high alcohol complements the sweetness well. Oaked bourbon raisin and vanilla. Should be higher rated. Very very nice and damn tasty.

22oz. Bottle: Aroma of caramel, toasting, and a hint of malts. Poured deep amber/copper in color with a small, dense, beige head that lasted throughout. Clear. Barely sparkling. Flavor is medium sweet. Tastes of caramel, toasted malts, and a hint of alcohol. Medium body. Average texture. Average carbonation. Sweet, caramel, toasted malt, and slight alcohol finish.

Bottle. Fair head with steady carbonation on copper that lets plenty of light through. Aroma is roasted toffee as if the sugars have been scorched just a bit with a faint yeast scent. Thicker body than expected from looks. A real dark roasted, almost burnt, flavour. Hints of chocolate, licorice and molasses. A hint of sweetness and of prunes. 10%! I never wuold have guessed, till I tried to stand up.

draft at papago... pours fairly dark... a shade of brown copper topped with an off white head which leaves pillowy rings of lacing behind. the nose is... not faint. really, there is not much to describe... nutty, lots of caramel, grass and a hint of lager stink. at least there are more flavors descriptors... chocolate covered toasted notes, straw, brown sugar/caramel, cooked canned corn, cinnamon and a spicy muddy finish. the whole package is wrapped up in a blanket of sugar with a unrefined bow on top... it is far too sweet and seemingly ’cheap’ flavored. medium to full body with a sticky mouth feel...6/4/5/3/12/3.0

Draft at Redlight. Strong caramel aroma with raisins and prunes. Flavor packs a punch with dates, vanilla and a touch of pine.

Uggh, should have known this would be a doppelbock. Pretty at least, clear copper, nice head. Sort of a caramel and cola aroma. Flavor matched, faint hint of floral hops on finish. Rather light in the palate in some ways, and the alcohol provided clear heat. Wish the malt had more depth of character. Not my favorite style, and not my favorite example of the style either.