Ettaler Curator Doppelbock

Brewed by Klosterbrauerei Ettal
Style: Doppelbock
Ettal, Germany

Pours a nice dense brown color with a slight purple hue. Malty, chalky, full bodied flavor. Slight alcohol bite. Aromas of licorice and plum. Faint wheat flavors. Faint sugary finish. Bottle from Brawleys Beverage.

Bottle (500ml) shared with HogTownHarry, GregClow, mds & tupalev -- courtesy of mds. Pours a clear deep ruby-copper with a spare diminishing off-white head. Aroma of caramel malt, dark fruit and some light smoke. Flavour’s predominantly caramel malt along with some light spices and dark fruit. Medium bodied. Pretty good, nothing special but it’s fine.

nice colour of copper. the head is small and not very solid. smell is alcoholic and malty (roasted). alcoholic and malty taste, the mid brings hops. ends up quite boring without new accents.

Bottle shared with Blankboy, GregClow, Mds, and Hogtown Harry, courtesy of mds. Dark brown, no head. Mild malt aroma. Great taste - rich malt, light to medium body, some assertive bitterness as well. Spicy, earthy, very nice dopplebock.

Bottle shared with blankboy, HogTownHarry, mds and tupalev - courtesy of mds. Ruby-brown colour with a thin off-white head. Aroma of sweet malt, tobacco leaves and dark fruit. Medium mouthfeel. Flavour is quite complex, with notes of sweet malt, coffee, toffee and various spices. Very good.

The aroma has oddly lactose-like notes that remind me of malted strawberry milkshakes. Some solid vanilla, plum, raisin and cherry notes back up that ice cream parlor feel. Curious, but pleasant aroma. The body is a warm amber tinted brown and mahogany with a diminishing tan head. Big malt fore with a kiss of alcohol that fades quickly beneath an onslaught of fruit notes that run the gambit of the world’s orchards. Some light spice and even a sort of leathery, raisiny-like tobacco note appears int he far aftertaste. The alcohol content is almost unnoticeable after that first little kick.

Pours a clear blood red, absolutely gorgeous hue, resembling a filtered cabernet with blackberry syrup added. Really just an astonishing hue, in any medium. A creamy beige head with slight creamsicle hues fades slowly, never fully, leaving behind lacing that looks like oily paintings of dirty-snow-capped mountain ranges off in the distance. The aroma is loaded with character, malty as all get out and fun to attmept to break down. Notes of caramel, plums, licorice sticks, raisins, espresso beans, vanilla, toffee, hints of chocolate, peaches and banana. What a blend! The flavor is an understated competition crusher, bearing down on the palate without overdoing anything or becoming scattered, muffled or mismanaged. Dark fruits and roasty malts, plenty of cereal grains, light tartness and caramel galore all meld into a delightful flavor. Sweetness is medium-high and never nears cloying due to its endearing counterparts and loads of accomplices in this treasure of a taste. Bitterness is low to mild, no acidity but for the hints implicated by a light, tart fruitiness near the end of each sip. The level of grain present is somewhat surprising but doesn’t jar the flavor into something less than easily enjoyable and easygoing. The finish is raisiny, sweet and completed by lingering caramel and chocolate notes, slight nuttiness too, drying out signifigantly. The mouthfeel is zippy with good carbonation(even though it doesn’t feel very natural), medium-full body, very smooth and a touch clumped/sticky. Smooth as hell nonetheless. Very impressive; one of very few Dopplebocks I enjoy more than the cult standard, Ayinger Celebrator. Fantastic and underrated!

Pours a deep maroon with reddish hues, and a small light tan head. Really nice looking. Smells of dark berries, currants, and dark sweet malts. A little sweet smelling. Big explosion of flavor upon the first sip. Alot of dark fruits, moslty berries, and syrupy malts. A little sweet cinnamon shows up in there as well. There is enough fruit to balance out the sugars and the alcohol is masked really well. Just overall a well balanced brew. Very solid representation of this style.