Sprecher Dopple Bock

Brewed by Sprecher Brewing Company
Style: Doppelbock
Glendale, Wisconsin USA

First off, I want to thank Sprecher for packaging this in a handsome, one-liter cobalt blue bottle... that won’t fit standing upright in my refridgerator! Despite that admittedly petty annoyance, it deserves a "4" for appearance, a deep mahogany with ruby highlights capped by a three-fingered, creamy tan head. The aroma is malty, roasted, sweet, filled with dark, juicy fruits, a hint of chocolate, and a touch of smoke. The flavor has lightly roasted malts, a chocolatey caramel, raisins and plums, and a mild touch of alcohol. Very nice, warming lager.

<font size=-4><a href=http://www.ratebeer.com/Places/ShowPlace.asp? Fine Wine and Spirits (formerly Armanetti’s), Mundelein, IL<font size=-1>

Bottle. Pours dark brown with a thin tan head. Aroma is malts, caramel, and dark fruit, with light chocolate and alcohol notes. Flavor is thin, but has a nice caramel and dark fruit mix.

On tap at Cheers for a Cure


The last of three samples from Sprecher before moving on, I am glad to find i happened to save the best for last. It was a toss up between this or the maibock and since the maibock will soon be back in season, I opted for the doppel bock. It was very well done, though once again I am not sure I would spring $13 for the large bottle. At the 16-ounce price though it is a good deal and worth seeking out.

Aroma / Appearance - A one-finger off white head lingered for a few minutes as I made my way from the tap to the table where I was taking notes. It eventually was absorbed into a caramel brown (almost black) body but not before giving a good fight. Hints of caramel, chocolate, malts, cherries and dusty bookshelves floated up into my nostrils. This was going to be a fun one to try.

Flavor / Palate - Cherries, raisins, honey and caramel came in a first wave that was soon followed by apple butter and popcorn. Other than the popcorn taste, this was very enjoyable. It struck me as a little thin for a doppelbock, but not by too much. The finish was very dry with a subtle release of alcohol. On the whole, I enjoyed this. It might be a good drink for a cool fall day - grab one of these and a good book then spend an hour by the fire.

Wisconsin knows lagers! pours a dark brown with a decent head. aroma of sweet malts. flavor is more malt, brown sugar and some bready notes. nothing over-the-top, yet well rounded and very drinkable.

(Bottle via trade with BBB63, thanks Mike!) Pours dark birch-beer brown, some reddish-brown highlights show through. About 1/2" of soft biscuit head recedes to a thin cap that stays put. This was not very aromatic but did have restrained malt and brown sugar in nose. Webby lacing. Soft mouthfeel, lightly prickly especially in finish. This tastes of very mild brown sugar sweetness and malt. Good but very restrained. Finishes with a light hit of bitterness. Lingering brown sugar aftertaste. Pretty well done.

This seasonal beer poured a beautiful tawny red with a tan head. Its initial aroma was sweet and malty. Very crisp on the palate, full bodied and fully carbonated. Very clean aftertaste.You want this beer to linger in your mouth. If, as the commercial description states, this beer were still used to sustain monks during the Lenten season, I daresay there would be no current shortage of priests. Heavenly.

What can I say!?!? The aroma didn’t bowl me over, and the head was okay, but the color was great. Smooth, smooth, smooth!!! The carbonation is just right, with plenty of flavor. Carmel, chocolate, roasted malt, raisin....wow!! This is just fantastic beer!!!

16oz bottle via trade with DavidP - Thanks David! - Pours mahogony with ruby highlights and a creamy tan head that stays very well and laces the sides of the glass nicely. Aromas of caramel, apple, raisin, plum, and a touch of chocolate. Flavor starts malty with chocolate and caramel but gives way to many fruity notes of raisin, apple, and some plum, but finishes back with some chocolate, and a touch of liccorice. Palate is medium bodied and fairly smooth and creamy. O.k so now I get it dark lagers are what Sprecher does best. This one and the black bavarian are their best.