 ClarkVV (3547), Allston, Massachusetts, USA
Jan 17, 2008
Draught tulip at Sunset Grill on 11/17/07
Funny to see this is a heller doppelbock. I drank this thinking it was a strong IPA. Of course, it dosent quite come off as a strong IPA, but, it sure dosent come off as a doppelbock, heller or otherwise. Dark bronze with a medium off-white head that laces lightly. Clear with moderate carbonation.
Quite assertively bitter in the nose, though with some pleasant fruitiness (strawberries, cherries, nectarines) and somewhat unpleasant fruitiness (green apples). Dry malt courses through the nose, showing off graham crackers, whitebread and upon warming, dollops of medium-sweet caramel. Bitterness eventually overcomes any sweetness and leaves dry, rather limp/weak malts in its wake. No flaws or alcohol noted. Medium strength of aroma.
Hard, dry malts up front show light melanoidins and quickly pass in to a bitter, leafy, peppery hop mess. Bitterness and sharp citrus flavors never soften and bits of caramel and toffee seem to clash with the hop notes. I like how FlacoAlto comments on the garlic-like flavor of the summit hops, and I really see that here. Way too much acidity without soft enough malt sugars. Carbonation is moderate, texture is hard. No alcohol or flaws noted.
Not rating this to any particular style.
thickfreakness (56), Austin, Texas, USA
Aug 18, 2008 Pours a dark amber with an off white head that fades fast. Smell is very interesting and a lot like the name would lead you to believe: smooth biscuity malt, crisp citrusy/piney hops and some caramel. The taste is really similar to the smell with even more hop character than expected. Lots of orange and piney hops with a much smaller amount of biscuit and caramel flavors than the nose led me to believe. Really dry finish. This is more like a completely experimental doppel-IPA leaning more towards the IPA side of things.
sstackho (249), Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Aug 17, 2008 Six 12oz bottles for $12 from Bauer Wines in Boston. Purchased mid-June 2008 with a mid-August expiry date - seems rather short, especially since it’s a new offering at the store which appears to go through stock pretty quickly. Pours a dark copper red - clear with a big head. Nice malty aroma with a good deal of hops. First taste is well balanced between malt and hops. Medium bodied. Decent hops in the aftertaste. Lacing up the yin-yang. Adding to this rating with a later bottle, and the more I have, the more I like. A beer has to be pretty good to have a label that bad.
Rastacouere (5270), Montréal, Quebec, Canada
Aug 17, 2008 Objectively speaking:
A complicated recipe that ultimately ended up in an uncomplicated IPA.
I like:
The clean lager character is there alright perhaps allowing more fruitiness to come out from the hops. Pleasant hop profile taking on the grapefruity citrus realm, but also heading towards peppery, pineapple and plain green territory. Good control on the residuals sugars.
I dislike:
Really limited toasted malt presence does not leave much bock character behind the hop fix.
malrubius (417), USA
Aug 16, 2008 12 ounce bottle in pint glass. Clear dark copper with lasting fluffy beige head and lace. Fruity malt and fresh hop aroma with caramel notes. Sweet caramel with red fruit and mild hop undercurrent. Medium body and medium-low carbo. Pretty nice well-made beer, though not especially memorable.
MartinT (4316), Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Aug 13, 2008 My Bottom Line:
Grapefruity, coniferous hops dally within lean caramel sweetness right before a pleasant toasty finish is pricked by leafy bitterness. This is a jovial strong lager which lets itself be drunk throughout.
Further Personal Perceptions:
-A veil of foam skirts the clear ruby-copper.
-Obviously, this is not brewed to a specific style, and it should be approached with an open, thirsty mind.
-The fruity hoppiness is quite citrusy, even though that fruitiness is quickly taken over by wooden, resinous notes.
-The flavor profile is balanced in its semi-intensity.
-Although all is clean and flavorful, I guess I did not find the recipe compelling enough.
Bottle.
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