Draught at Cambridge Beer Festival. As maeib says, the very reasons that I liked this beer were the same ones why he wasn’t too impressed. I usually find doppelbocks a bit too over the top and sweet for my palate. This one had plenty of deep malt, just a hint of soy (the right amount for me!), wasn’t too sticky and was relatively dry. Served way too cold unfortunately - it took some warming up time to get much in the way or aroma. Maybe not a classic doppelbock but much more acceptable to my palate and definitely not marked to style. It takes all sorts I suppose. As joeh says, its remarkable how CAMRA seems able to ferret out these doppelbocks served from the barrel that have appeared rarely, if at all, elsewhere.

Draught at Cambridge Beer Festival. There seems to be another new doppelbock at every CAMRA festival, and they all taste exactly like this. Sweet malt and caramel, some boiled sweets and noticable alcohol. Nothing to see here.

Draught - Cambridge BF. I was a little worried when Chris O said he liked this, bearing in mind I usally love Doppelbocks and he’s not so keen. Well this is one of my least favourite of the style and I’m not suprised!! It’s a dark brown colour with a sweet aroma featuring some brandy notes, and a little soy. Certainly the alcohol comes through. The taste is sweetish and alcoholic with some bready character. It’s warming and quite dry in its style. It is nice but it’s not got the dark flavours I would hope for.