Penn St. Nikolaus Bock Bier Brewers Reserve

Brewed by Pennsylvania Brewing Company
Style: Doppelbock
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania USA

Awesome. Not one negative comment. My favorite from Penn. I hope this gem stays year round.

Jet black body with milky soft brown, swiftly settling head--intimidating in its snifter! Malt is considerable, but not obtrusive... smooth early, with a bit of effervescence and a warm finish--not feeling like 8.0%... a bit of peat; rich, full-bodied malt, a little smoke and a pleasant finish... I’ve had bocks with a third of the alcohol that strained the tastebuds more--smooth! As winnings from a fantasy football wager, this beer (courtesy of Ryan, again!) 2007 batch #001 is a winner also, the second pour producing a smoother, creamier drink--a fitting February/March pleasure.

ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS....let this beer age. It gets softer and its layers of flavor become easier to discern as it ages. I have had both batch 001 and 002 and I can not say a bad word about them. Big malty nose rising from the depths of a mahogany abyss, laced with dried cherries, molasses, and a faint herbal hop tinge in the back ground. I suggest drinking from a liter stein or "das boot" to get the full effect. I don’t know how long they should be kept around, but I have a case of 001 and a case of 002, and they show no signs of oxidizing or turning yet. I can’t wait to see if they can bring another batch around this year!

Batch 001. Very fruity nose with no shortage of floral notes. Pours sparkling orange ruby. The stiff off white head is creamy and fully lasting with light lace. The front is fruity, the middle has moderate acidity and the finish is roasted and bittersweet - very chocolatey. The flavor has very nice depth with no lack of complexity. There is a definite warm feeling that follows the brew down into the belly. The full body is soft to lively, uber creamy and feels clean at the finish.

Crystal clear, mahogany brown and a small but nice white head that leaves slight lace down the bottle. Aroma is slight malt and less hops, but with some solvent-like characters. Flavor is rich malt and some alcohol, with hints of hops. Solvent-like, slightly estery late in the flavor. Medium body, supported well by the malt. Aftertaste is slightly sweet but with touches of hops as well.

Batch 001. Sampled from a 25.4 oz green bottle this beer poured a dark ruby-chestnut color with a large dark tan head. The aroma was sweet, tangy, malty and lightly fruity. The flavor was sweet roasty chocolate, ripe cherry and pear and a caramel undertone. The finish was long with fruit and chocolate. Moderately thick and hides the alcohol well. Nicely malty.

Bottle 75 cl. Courtesy of goryshkewych. Pours a clear orangey brown with a creamy beige head leaving some laces. Sweet malty nose with lots of pumpernickel. Solid body, amazingly pleasant roasted malt base with an extremely smooth and pleasant mouthfeel. Warming alcohol finish. Compares with the best German Doppelbocks! Yummy. 231109

750ml Bottle Batch #1. Pours a clear deep amber with a one finger light tan head that lasts and leaves good lacing. Aroma of sweet malt, sweet fruit, and caramel. Taste is the same as aroma with a hint of roasted malt. Medium mouthfeel with a milld amount of bitterness and well hidden alcohol. Very good.