Millstream 20th Anniversary Dopplebock

It’s been a few months since I’ve had a bottle so this won’t be the most accurate of ratings. But I really like this beer. I had the pleasure of partaking in somewhere around four bottles of this while it still existed, I believe all of which were consumed in, or at least given to me by Isabella’s Bar in Dubuque Iowa. All these things being said, I’ll get on with it and review the beer. It’s fantastically dark. Pours with no head, I’m not even sure if it’s carbonated at all, I didn’t see a head and the beer is to dark to notice any bubbles, furthermore the mouthfeel of this beer lends nothing in the way of fizzyness to suggest that it is carbonated. However this is all forgiven by the masterful taste of this bold and dark beer. Millstream makes another beer called Schokolade Bock, this reminded me of that just with everything up a few notches. The beer is ridiculously malty, to the point of a pleasant syrupyness at times. No less it is not too malty sweet, it retains a nice balance of sweet and dry flavors. If you can find one, pick it up.

Date: 04/23/2006
Mode: Bottle
Source: Tasting

hazy dark red, candy sweet malt aroma, rich dry malt flavor with a touch of sweetness, good rich flavor,

Aroma: 6/10; Appearance: 6/10; Flavor: 7/10; Palate: 5/10; Overall: 13/20
Rating: 3.2/5.0
Drinkability: 8/10
Score: **+/4

A hazy nut brown beer with an orange head. Both the aroma and flavor are sweet malty with strong notes of caramel, and just a bit of a bite from the alcohol.

RBSG 2006 - DC Grand Tasting Lineup Mahogany, light head and lacing. Nose of sweet grassy hops, some malts and molasses. Sweet rich flavor, nice aged and pleasant. The finish is sweet, lightly hoppy and a toffee and caramel finish along with the balanced sweetness. Good.

Thanks to Dan @ Gannon for this.. Appears a dark, dense, mahogany color with crimson edges when held up to the light. Smell is of rich malt, vanilla, doughy bread, caramel, brown sugar, with a touch of mild oxidation that is fitting for the style. Taste is of the same aromas. I’m liking the mix, as doppelbocks are one of my favorite styles. Mouthfeel is medium bodied, sugary, brown sugar laden, cakey, and...did I say sugary? Carbonation is nice in this one. It’s like a well done dessert.

Poured a hazy brownish red color with a light tan head that left spotty lacing on the glass. Aroma of peat malts, caramel, roast, cocoa, and light butter. Taste of sweet caramel, more cocoa, roast, some wood, and vanilla as well.

Sampled at RBSG 2006- Grand Tasting. 2005 vintage. This is a beer that I picked up at the brewery and saved for the tasting. This does not look like a dopplebock. It pours amber with pink highlights. Has a huge honey aroma and flavor. A bit too sweet and needs more roasted flavor. Unfortunately, was brewed during the days of Iowa’s alcohol limit laws for brewers and could not be the big beer that the Brewer likely wanted. Still, a unique novelty to try before its retirement. UPDATE 8/4/7: In the bottle at the 2007 Baburek backyard vintage beer tasting. Thanks to Darrell M. for the beer. Just as sweet as I remember. It’s as though it was not fully attenuated so as to keep it near the 6% ABV target.

22oz, bottled in March 2005. Aroma is burnt caramel, nuts, cinnamon, dark fruits (figs and raisins). Pours a clear reddish brown with a small light beige head. The taste is the same with moderate sweetness. Light chalky, roasted malt bitter finish. Very low carbonation, moderate to full bodied and creamy. Good offering. Got to meet Aaron yesterday at the Great Taste--real standup guy.