LaConner Doppelbock

Brewed by LaConner Brewing Company
Style: Doppelbock
LaConner, Washington USA

This was an okay doppelbock. It tasted a bit old but that could just be me. I will have to try this again and re-rate.

Lighter than I expected for a Doppelbock. That being said, very nice palate and would be even better on cask than in the bottle I'm sure.

Has an unusual winy chocolate nose, but the body is very malty with an caramel bread covered in chocolate feel.

Red color. Slight aroma of fruit. Very fruity palate. Comes of quite sweet and strong. Good stuff.

I just don't get the other reviews of this beer, I found it to be an outstanding example of doppelbock, from the wonderful bready malt flavor and aroma right down to the clean, dryish finish with just a touch of bitterness. I know of no better doppels brewed in the Pacific Northwest, and I wish this was easier to get ahold of!

I've always been particularly fond of LaConner, the brewery that gave us Tennenbaum and a lovely IPA, but this didn't seem to have that LaConner flair. Having a very large malt profile, this seemed almost too standard. Big carmelly body and the burnt sugar aftertaste. This, however, did not have that undesirable metallic zing so many malt bombs like this are akin too, which is good. Just really too characteristic of the variety, too un LaConner-ish. - (Yeah, I just had another one, still the same. My first rating was dead on.)

Deep reddish amber with a decent wheaten head and speckled lace. Aroma is light with sherry-like tones and a touch of caramel sweetness. Flavor is assertive but syrupy sweet with trace molasses tang--a bit medicinal. Hops provide trace dryness in the finish. Mouthfeel is a bit heavy, the sensation exacerbated by the uni-dimensional malt profile and the lack of any top-end presence to provide a counterbalance...This has no shortage of flavor, but is decidedly lacking in balance and complexity...a bit of a disappointment from this brewery.

Dark amber with a light orange head. Sticky malt aroma with a hint of fruit, floral winey notes, a touch of grass. Alcohol is relatively apparent. Little bit of a lager funk. Sweet with a light bitter finish. A bit of a mess is left at the back of my tongue (some coating, a little biterness, touch of roast, some salt). Good aroma, a little tough to drink after a while.