5 On A Friday : It’s Dopplebock Time !

February 23, 2007 by · 1 Comment
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Ahh the approach of springtime, one of the best times of the year for beer. And like a great song, a great beer sings to your senses. Today’s 5 on A Friday features five fine double bocks or dopplebocks as the Bavarians call it for your imbibing enjoyment.

A short history of Dopplebocks courtesy of John Haggerty Brewmaster at New Holland Brewing Co.:

Brewing for many centuries was the domain of monastic orders located throughout
the European continent. Much of this commercial endeavor was pursued in order to
help provide jobs and income to local citizens as well as a means to help raise
funds in order to help various charities that the church supported.

Since the monasteries’ members were not only monks but also brewers they
produced beer that, on occasion, served their specific needs. This is the case
with Dopplebock. Dopplebock beer originated as a means for the monks to provide
themselves with nourishment during the Lenten season when their vows forbid them
from taking solid food. The high residual sugar content gave the beer a
nourishing aspect not found in many other types of beer. It is also responsible
for the sweeter flavor profile of this particular style of beer.

The
name Dopplebock is derived from German meaning “double goat.” The word dopple
literally translates as double, while the word bock translates as goat.
Although, Dopplebocks are not actually twice as strong as regular bock beers the
word dopple is applied to signify the fact that they are stronger in alcohol
content. The use of the word bock is a bit more obscure. Some claim that it can
be traced back to a regional dialect when saying the name of the town of Einbeck
– beck sounded like bock and Einbeck was a center for the manufacture of
stronger beers at the time. Some people claim that it simply signifies that the
beer has an alcoholic kick similar to that of a billy goat. Regardless, in the
world of beer Dopplebock is one of the long standing styles that has found its
way from the old world to the new.

Dopplebocks are always a darker beer
generally a deep red or brown color. Typically they contain 7 – 7.5% alcohol by
volume but can be as strong as 12%. They are typified by a sweet, nutty flavor.
Bready aromas and flavors are not uncommon as well as those of some darker malts
such as chocolate or black malt. However, the most common malt flavors are
derived from various caramel and Munich malts.


1: Ayinger Celebrator Doppelbock
[WEBSITE]

2: Samuel Adams Double Bock
[WEBSITE]

3:Paulaner Salvator Doppelbock
[WEBSITE]

4: New Holland Blue Goat Dopplebock
[WEBSITE] [MYSPACE]

5: Spaten Optimator Doppelbock

[WEBSITE]

For more information on Dopplebocks and other beers I highly recommend BeerAdvocate.com

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