BJCP 2021 / 9A
Doppelbock
A very rich, strong lager that tastes like liquid bread and dark fruit.
- Ages well
- high strength
- amber color
- pale color
- bottom fermented
Serve: 46 to 52F, Tulip or snifter
OG1.120
1.072 to 1.112FG1.030
1.016 to 1.024IBU120
16 to 26SRM40
6 to 25ABV14%
7.0 to 10.0%Color runs from deep gold to dark brown depending on the version.
Taste it in order
Aroma
12 pts- Big bready malt, toast, sometimes dark fruit or caramel
- A touch of alcohol warmth
- No hop to speak of
- Vague
- Malty
- Better
- Rich toasty malt with fruit
- Best
- Strong toasted bread and caramel aroma with plum and raisin, gentle alcohol warmth, no hop
Appearance
3 pts- Deep gold to dark brown
- Clear
- Creamy off-white to tan head, may be modest
- Vague
- Dark
- Better
- Brown and clear
- Best
- Deep amber to dark brown, ruby edges on the darker versions, creamy tan head of moderate retention
Flavor
20 pts- Very rich malt, bread, toast, caramel
- Dark fruit in the darker versions
- Bitterness only balances, finishing smooth and warming
- Vague
- Rich
- Better
- Toast and dark fruit
- Best
- Strong toasted bread, caramel and dark fruit malt, low hop, low-moderate bitterness, smooth slightly sweet finish with warmth
Mouthfeel
5 pts- Medium-full to full body
- Low to medium carbonation
- Smooth, warming
- Vague
- Full
- Better
- Full body and warming
- Best
- Medium-full to full body, creamy and smooth, gentle alcohol warmth, low to medium carbonation
Overall Impression
10 ptsLifts it
- Depth and smoothness
- Hidden alcohol
Drops it
- Hot fusels
- Cloying sweetness
- Diacetyl
Writing tip
Check that alcohol is integrated. Example: 'Rich toasty malt and dark fruit, smooth warmth, no harsh alcohol. Beautifully integrated.'
Pour these
- SalvatorPaulanerRich and sweet, the original doppelbock
- CelebratorAyingerBready and slightly more bitter
- OptimatorSpatenDark with a smoother roasty edge
Often confused with
- 6C Dunkles BockDunkles Bock is lighter and less rich
- 9B EisbockEisbock is concentrated by freezing and stronger
Fine here
- Alcoholic: A warming note belongs at this strength
- Oxidized: A hint of sherry is tolerated in aged bottles
Ruinous here
- Solvent: Hot fusel alcohol
- Diacetyl: Butter
- Astringent: Harsh tannin
Style names, numbers and vital statistics follow the BJCP 2021 beer guidelines. Descriptions and example choices are our own. Check a beer is still made before you hunt for it.