Thomas Hooker Liberator Doppelbock

Brewed by Thomas Hooker Brewing Company
Style: Doppelbock
Bloomfield, Connecticut USA

Pours a dark murky brown with a thick, dark, cream-colored head. Aroma is full of sweet caramel malt, a touch of tartness, and a smooth German lager yeast profile. Body starts full, thick and sweet hinting at acidity, but turning smoother, sticky and very malty with a touch of bitterness. Finishes with some dark chocolate, floral hints of hops, and hides its alcohol quite well. Definitely a malty brew with some adherance to style, but it doesn’t quite have the authentic flavor it could. Many thanks to both boto and SpringsLicker for the bottles of this fine brew!

MN Ratebeer Winter Gathering ’06. Bottle. Rich, milk chocolate aroma; very nice. Dark, dark amber. Clear with no visible carbonation. Nice sized light tan head. Relatively rich, nice.

Fromt Immy’s Tasting. Been wanting to try this for a long time, delighted to have the chance. Very dark brown appearance, good head. Slight chocolate aroma. Good, rich chocolate flavor, and just a touch smoky. This was really nice, particularly for a style I usually don’t care for. Pleasant surprise.

1 L bottle, snifter. A deep chestnut hue and a firm, frothy khaki head signal the rich malts waiting in this sturdy brew. The aroma is grand, yet humble—intense, but never out of control. Dark bread and caramel melodies underpin the experience, allowing ample space for airs of chocolate and roasted coffee. A mercurial walnut element shifts in and out of focus. Allowing a moment for contemplation, and this elixir to warm, reveals the rugged herbal, woodsy tones yielded by the grace of noble hops. Every sip swiftly brings warm, controlled malts to the palate, mimicking the aroma deftly. Chocolate, caramel and brown sugar find their place up front, stabilized by a wispy roasted bitterness. At the back of the mouth, roasted and nutty flavors become more pronounced and mingle with supple herbal hop notes. As it warms further, the distinct but intoxicating semi-sourness of the Munich base malt is unmasked. The swallow unveils date, almost plum like essences, resting upon an oaky dryness. A full and creamy texture is robust enough to blend all the flavors together, but never appears clumsy. Carbonation is right on for the style; present, but never distracting—flowing but well paced. A brilliant example of the style. A little darker, and a little richer, but damn this reminds me of Andechser. A doppelbock like this one, but with less roast, chocolate, (no) caramel, and more pure malt goodness could easily gain access to the upper four’s for me.

Brown hue with a tan, frothy, tall head. Huge pecan aroma. Roast, coffee...somewhat sulphorous, in a good sort of way. Heavily sweet, lightly acidic (sour) flavor becomes a moderately sweet, lightly acidic, lightly bitter finish. Medium body, velvety texture, moderate carbonation. The bottom line is: very tasty, I’d love to get another swing at this one as I’ve never tasted a doppelbock this nutty.

2006 bottle. Near black pour, red highlights and a lasting creamy tan head. Very coffeish aroma. Slightly sweet with a bit of citrus hops evident. Mouthfeel is worth noting with active carbonation and smooth creaminess. Dried fruit taste with an alcohol presence throughout. Fig, plum, date and some chocolate towards the end. Flavor abounds throughout... this is a GOOD beer. Funny thing, this is a BIG bottle lol, with 8% abv they should call this thing the Terminator instead of the Liberator, no heavy machinery operation for at least 6 hours. This was 9 bucks but I’m glad I picked it up. Right up there with Celebrator.

1 Liter swing top bottled in 2004. This pours opaque black with an appropriately sized tan head. The aroma is malty with hints of dark fruits. The flavor is rich and full and a spicy smoky note makes this Doppelbock different from others I’ve had. I suppose I have been spoiled by drinking some outstanding homebrewed Doppelbocks which have all been superior to any commercial Doppelbock I’ve tried, but this is the best commercial brew of the style that I’ve had to date.

Bottle: Courtesy of jjpm74 via trade. Aroma is very much like cola syrup with a light spiciness and a hint of fruit. Pours a dark brown with no transparency but some orange hilights around the edges of the glass. Big off-white head with very good retention and great lacing. Flavor of light caramel and light chocolate with a definite cola taste as the leading flavor. Finishes moderately spicey with a cherry tartness and light woodiness.

opaque brown pour thick tan well laced head. SPicy wheat aroma w/ lots of sweet malts some light chocolates carmels and light alcohol. Thick well coated lightly creamy. Flavor is very sweet roast malt & wheat some brown sugar and a touch of light spice. Very nice well roasted nearly a stout.