Rating:

“An excellent beer emerges from the great Peroni tradition – Peroni Gran Riserva. A prestigious clear double malt beer with an alcohol content of 6.6%. This beer is the result of a careful, scrupulous selection of the most noble qualities of aromatic hops, yeast and a spring variety of distichous barley named “cherie”. Ingredients are chosen with great attention and the experience of long-standing brewers.”

Glassware: Stemmed tulip.

Appearance: Deep golden, almost amber pour with a thumb of frothy white head resting atop. Steady reduction and healthy lacing on the glass as it ebbs.

Aroma: Fun fact, Peroni is actually our go-to beer when there’s literally nothing else on offer. We can certainly pick up the OG Peroni lager traits – think Heineken, Stella Artois, Carlsberg etc (they pretty much all taste the same anyway) with their clean malt and Noble hop herbaceousness. As this warms a richer, slightly sweeter malt comes through and that’s about the extent of the difference. Was hoping for more to be honest.

Flavour: Building on the aroma here with a notably richer and more complex malt bill. A subtle warmth to the 6.6% ABV too. In the end it’s pretty much the same deal as the OG Peroni lager – clean, herbal and spicy hop notes but with the added malt complexities and boosted ABV. Slightly smoother, well rounded finish that draws out too.

Mouthfeel: Slick neck oil with a bit of chew to it. Medium body, light sparkle to the carbonation. The 6.6% ABV is very well concealed.

Overall: Honestly, don’t bother unless you froth on Peroni and want to taste a slightly boozier and more malty version. This literally just scrapes into the bock classification on ABV only. Well brewed, yes, just too similar the original.

Rating:

“Hoppebrau Dunkler Bock 500mL undergoes an extended 90-day cold fermentation and storage, delivering a refined taste profile. Unlike many sweeter Bocks, this brew achieves balance through careful hopping that enhances freshness without overpowering. Its depth and complexity make it a standout choice for discerning beer enthusiasts seeking a well-rounded Dunkler Bock experience.”

Glassware: Half stein.

Appearance: Muddy brown complexion with a short off-white head on top. It quickly retreats to the rim with thin wavy lacing in its wake.

Aroma: Super sweet and caramelised. Quite rich actually and absolutely chock-full of sugary dark fruits like dates, raisin and fig. Almost getting a hint of Ribena and or prune juice as well. Fairly yeast-driven, it has traits of a Belgian dubbel with its banana bread and clove accents. The hops provide some balance with fleeting wafts of woody spice and earthy herbals.

Flavour: It dries up a fair bit here. The brewers clearly state that this bock isn’t as sweet as others and we weren’t really believing them until now. The uber sweet caramels and dark fruits are here but they’re heavily subdued and more of the hallmark German lager/marzen qualities come to the forefront i.e biscuity malt, herbal spice, wet grass and a certain nuttiness in the finish.

Mouthfeel: Nice and chewy but with a slightly lifted Co2. Medium body and a well concealed 7% ABV.

Overall: This was our first crack at this German brewery. It was established in 2010 which is practically a newborn compared to the likes of Weihenstephaner or Erdinger. Still, very trad and tasty. We’ll have to get amongst more of their range we thinks.

Rating:

“First up in our busty blonde series is the Germans. They are experts in many things including delivering a beer with a great smile. Even though we’re not German, we are sure the big malt backbone to this strong German Lager will make you smile.”

Glassware: Dimpled mug.

Appearance: Brilliantly clear bright amber pour with a short white crown. It peels off fairly quickly and leaves wavy lacing on the glass.

Aroma: Interesting. One of the things we love most about JB is the ultra clean nature to every single one of their beers. Our first thoughts here are that those same ultra clean qualities are working against the classic richness of the malt but once it settles in the caramel, toasty, nutty and biscuity notes begin to open up. Well balanced by a floral and earthy hop profile of dried leaves, rose petals, strawberry and forest floor.

Flavour: Similar to the aroma where the ultra clean nature is almost working against it. The rich malt sweetness is there i.e caramel/toffee, honey, biscuits and toast but the hops and the bitterness they provide outshines. There just isn’t enough depth from the malt in our opinion. Alas, it shifts into an incredibly clean finish with lingering notes of bush honey, eucalyptus leaves, caramel and pot pourri.

Mouthfeel: Clean with a certain gelatinous texture. Medium body, low-ish Co2. The 6.8% ABV was well disguised.

Overall: It has all the character traits which makes this brewery so good, but it just misses the mark for us. Not enough depth from the malt and just a tad too bitter. Hey, they can’t be perfect all the time.

Rating:

“The goat is back and this time he’s angry. Raise the Horns, hardcore Doppelbock. More malt, a cold ferment and extended ice conditioning creates a doom metal dark lager beer, rammed full of smooth dark fruit and chocolate intensity and finishing with a delicious touch of alcohol warmth. Let me see you throw those horns!”

Glassware: Half stein.

Appearance: Extremely dark for a doppelbock. It presents like a porter with a mostly black body and a ray of light cutting through at the base. It notches up three fingers of tan foam which reduces steadily. Healthy lacing in its wake.

Aroma: This is the perfect definition of a malt bomb. Everything from burnt caramel and toffee to assorted dark fruits, burnt toast, carob and milk chocolate to coffee, light roasted malt and ash. Maybe just the slightest hint of floral hops but they’re a distant view amongst the rich and brooding malt characters.

Flavour: Quite stewy and sweet initially but it’s slowly balanced out by the lightly roasted malts, burnt toast, coffee, chocolate and treacle that gradually ooze over like a thick sauce. Pretty impressive how it lightens up towards the finish…the cold ferment and ice conditioning certainly having an effect as it punctuates on a fruity, toasty and rich finish that lingers.

Mouthfeel: Kinda creamy and gelatinous. Medium bodied, low-ish Co2. The 8% ABV was very well concealed.

Overall: This is the big brother of Screaming Goat which (much to our surprise) we haven’t reviewed yet. It was big, rich and complex. A very respectable interpretation of a difficult style.

Rating:

“Is one of the strongest beers in the world, with 23° Plato attaining 9.6% ABV. It matures in our ancient cellars for 9 months, until it is fully fermented and turns amber in colour. Urbock 23°is full-bodied, with a creamy flavour, well-balanced with a noble hop bitterness. Known in many countries as the “Cognac of Beers”.

Glassware: Half stein.

Appearance: Stunning. Bold amber with full transparency. It forms a short white head which settles to a collar. Wet spotty lace is dragged down the glass as it ebbs.

Aroma: Wow. This would have to be near the cleanest-smelling bock we’ve ever had. At first it displays pure European lager qualities and then the cognac-like sweetness that’s touched on in the description comes through… bringing a very pleasant array of honey, caramel and golden raisins. There’s a notable floral hop profile too – red petal flowers, dandelion, dried gum leaves. Very rich and complex.

Flavour: We didn’t actually realise how strong this bad boy was. It weighs in at a whopping 9.6% ABV and the burn is evident yet intermittent. Kicks off like a Belgian tripel with its rich and sweet honey malt, floral hops and spicy/estery yeast profile. The booze burn is most prominent mid-palate as a subtle hop bitterness joins the party and rolls into a sweet, spicy, floral and almost herbal finish with a good sting in the tail.

Mouthfeel: Creamy, gelatinous and chewy. Drying out in the swallow. Medium body, mild-moderate Co2.

Overall: We get that the whole beer is centred around the 23° plato thing but we feel the booze could be dialled back a bit. Other than that it’s a very impressive doppelbock.

Rating:

“Our Trophy winning Doppelbock! Rich toffee, hints of coffee with full body and bready malt flavour. Dark brown with off white head and silky mouthfeel. Pleasant earthy and herbal aromatics temper the sweetness of this complex dark lager. This beer won the Trophy for “Best Amber/Dark Lager” at the 2022 Australian International Beer Awards. Gold 2023, Bronze 2024 and Gold 2025.”

Glassware: Stein.

Appearance: Gazing over a deep amber body which reveals candy red hues when held to the light. It constructs a fluffy two and a bit finger head that gradually peels off and leaves a good amount of lacing in its wake.

Aroma: We’ve been eagerly awaiting this review for a couple of weeks now so we’re pumped to finally be cracking it. We weren’t actually aware of the amount of medals it has received either. Four in total including two golds and a trophy. KR kicking ass right now. Smells nicely balanced. Layers of rich toffee, bready malt and toast with a notable herbaceous hop profile cutting through. Very elegant.

Flavour: The elegance continues to exude as the taste buds are treated to a good show of toffee, caramel, toast and pumpernickel on entry. Hits a real earthy note midway, a hint of bitterness and a complex woody accent then rolls into a lightly roasted finish of coffee, milk chocolate, treacle and wilted herbs.

Mouthfeel: Fairly crisp and dry yet still able to provide a nice sticky texture. Medium body, low Co2 and a well concealed 7.2 % ABV.

Overall: Not only did this live up to our expectations it also lived up to those medals. Probably the best Aussie interpretation of a doppelbock that we can remember. Impressive stuff.

Rating:

“A traditional Roggenbier is like a wheat beer, but using Rye instead of wheat. Spiced bread and clove with a wonderful silky mouthfeel. Bright copper in colour and rich in character, a beer full of flavour. Awarded a Gold Medal at the 2024 Australian International Beer Awards.”

Glassware: Half stein.

Appearance: Deep burnished orange with a light red centre. It only managed a finger of off-white head which quickly forms a collar. Average lacing as we go.

Aroma: KR pulling out all the rare and random styles lately. Loving it. The roggenbier is one we know little about but we’re keen to get into it. First thoughts are quite fruity, yeasty, bready, spicy. It hints at tangy orange citrus and marmalade on toast, subtle yeast esters i.e banana bread, bubblegum and clove. Rye bread, black pepper, red currants and carrot cake as well. Very complex.

Flavour: Interesting flavour fusion. Not sure if it’s for us to be honest. There is good cohesion between the flavours but it’s a tad cloying and grimacing. Somewhat dry, spicy and tangy upfront. Yeasty, bready and quite artificially sweet through the mid. It does dry out again as it finishes with a weird vegetal flavour that lingers.

Mouthfeel: Good consistency, bulbous and well rounded. Flat-ish Co2 and the 7.7% ABV is pretty well buried.

Overall: Not ripping the brewery coz we know KR brew some fantastic stuff but this just ain’t our thing. Not vibing with the flavour profile much at all. We live and learn!

Rating:

“Behold the majesty of our 7.1% Doppelbock, a symphony of malt mastery and brewing finesse that dances upon your palate with an irresistible allure.”

Glassware: Half stein.

Appearance: Deep crimson red with a dark amber hue when held to the light. It builds a fizzy three finger head which rapidly recedes, eventually forming a collar with scarce lacing.

Aroma: Fairly trad Doppelbock notes initially – rich, malty, semi-sweet, nutty and toasty with an earthy and spicy Noble hop quality to balance. Slight woody elements and the 7.3% ABV adds a little bit of warmth on the nostrils. Just a mild hint of cloying syrup happening but all in all it’s a pretty decent aroma.

Flavour: Hhhmmm. Starting to fall away a bit here. Very subtle woody and nutty malt on entry but it gets a bit tangy and bitter through the mid. Then a cloying sweetness joins up which magnifies the existing issues. Delicate toasty malt and unappealing earthy notes to finish. Pretty short finish on it as well. Sheesh.

Mouthfeel: Not bad actually. Smooth, gelatinous, dries up a tad in the swallow. Medium body, low-ish Co2 and the booze wasn’t too badly masked.

Overall: Our 2nd crack at Bonehead and unfortunately it’s a 0/2 situation. We tried their ‘Winter Spiced Ale’ (amber ale) the first time and that seemed to do the same thing i.e started well enough and then went badly downhill. Average at best.

Rating:

Glassware: Half stein.

Appearance: Hits the glass with a gorgeous ruby red hue, below a light and fluffy three finger head. Fairly rapid reduction and minimal lace sticking to the glass as it subsides.

Aroma: Lots of depth and complexity to it. The array of scents are hitting the olfactory’s from all angles – it’s sweet, nutty, woody, earthy, fruity. Pretty much covering the whole flavour spectrum. It’s impressive how it keeps evolving as it comes up to room temperature.. the rich malty notes dominate and bring with them a very distinguished character which we’re digging.

Flavour: Good follow through from the nose. The depth and complexity certainly isn’t lost when notes of rich toffee, tobacco, wood shavings and a fleeting hint of Noble hop earthiness gets us underway. There’s a flutter of nutty chocolate and caramelized/flambeed pear through the mid. A notable bitterness offers a crucial balance as it finishes rich, a little dry and woody.

Mouthfeel: Silky and gelatinous. Medium body with a relatively flat Co2. The 8.6% ABV was very well masked.

Overall: This is good stuff from Kicks. Really showing off their expertise in a wide range of styles with this high quality Doppelbock.

Rating:

“Sweet bread and biscuit malt flavour with a restrained toffee character from low-colour crystal malts. We’ve used a uniquely German hop variety providing a subtle and earthy aroma to this strong golden lager.”

Glassware: Half stein.

Appearance: Gorgeous deep golden complexion with a kiss of light red. The head swells to a thumb in height before reducing to a thick overlay. Good retention and healthy lacing as we go.

Aroma: Proper malt bomb, as to be expected from the style. It’s displaying a tonne of sweet malt i.e caramel, brioche, dough, but also a counter balance of toast, buttery biscuits and the mildest hint of peat. As it settles a very delicate yet distinct earthy and grassy hop profile reveals itself. Has to be the one and only Saaz. That’s our guess anyway. It ain’t a groundbreaking aroma but it’s decent.

Flavour: Much more balanced here. It still owns that malt bomb tag but the hop bitterness comes through. Upfront it’s pretty earthy and toasty but it turns a bit cloying as it nears the mid palate. This is where the hops kick off though…at first it’s just the right amount but it keeps intensifying and eventually becomes too bitter in our opinion. The finish is a little untidy and leaves us grimacing.

Mouthfeel: Fairly slick and smooth initially then dry and acrid in the swallow. Medium body, Co2 is a little flat. The 7.2% ABV behaves well enough for its size.

Overall: We’ve been pleasantly surprised with King River’s beers on a couple of occasions but not on this one unfortunately. A bit cloying and untidy in the end.

Rating:

“A big and smoky Rauchbock created with lager yeast a long cool fermentation.”

Glassware: Dimpled mug.

Appearance: Light brown with a candy red tint. It forms a light and puffy two finger head which slowly recedes. Not a great deal of lace to speak of though.

Aroma: We testify, Rauchbier is without a doubt in our bottom two or three most disliked styles. But, and a very big but, we have warmed to a few of the Aussie interpretations, mostly due to the fact that they’re a lot milder and far less smoky than their Bamberg counterparts. This is the prime example – it’s got a considerable smoked ham hock note but it’s tempered by a nice malt sweetness which balances it out.

Flavour: Nicely balanced ratio of big smoky and gamey notes to the sweet and semi rich malts. We get a bit of the smoky bacon, ash, burnt wood and then the kinda rich and sticky toffee and caramel ooze through. Just the right amount of bitterness helps shift it all into the rather dry, malty and smoky finish. Good length too.

Mouthfeel: Chewy, a little sticky but nicely shook up by the bitterness. Medium body, mild-moderate Co2. The 7.5% ABV is well buried.

Overall: Yep, these are the sorts of Rauchbiers we can get on board with…sizeable smokiness yet still refined and palatable. Solid drop.

Rating:

“Black weizenbock brewed for carwyn cellars black box 2023.”

Glassware: Dimpled mug.

Appearance: Watch your pour on this one folks. It was hardly an aggressive pour and it literally came out 95% foam. Quite a dark number though…cola-like complexion. Unfortunately no lace on which is a shame considering the whole glass was filled with head at one stage.

Aroma: We’re being forced to take whiffs from the can as the glass still holds 40% head. We are picking up a pleasant smokiness which rolls nicely into fairly heavy roasted malt, molasses and coffee notes. It offers a good amount of yeast ester – heady clove and or nutmeg, choc-coated banana and orchard fruits. Diggin it.

Flavour: Our initial concern was the overcarbonation and it turns out our concerns are valid. Besides that the flavour profile is quite good, we get big roasted malts upfront, light smoke and coffee in support. The spice and fruit from the yeast integrates nicely and softens the big roasty notes as it finishes charred, spicy and a little funky.

Mouthfeel: As previously stated it’s way too overcarbonated. The 9% ABV was surprisingly well concealed though.

Overall: We’re wondering, as this was a beer for Carwyn’s black box subscription, was it rushed into can and continued to ferment? Unsure. It’s a shame coz behind the Co2 issue is a decent dark Weizenbock.

Rating:

“This scarlet lager is brewed with caramelised malts and has the attitude and confidence to stand above the pale crowd.”

Glassware: Dimpled mug.

Appearance: Deep amber with candy red highlights. Big billowing four finger head which rapidly reduces and eventually disappears. Zero retention so zero lacing.

Aroma: Smells quite scaled back and traditional. Dominant caramelised malt, toffee, toasty and nutty notes. Gorgeous support aromas of cognac, yeast esters (banana runts, clove), spicy old world hops and a hint of residual sweetness. Some very subtle orchard fruits developing late as well…pear, apple, a touch of kiwifruit. Pretty darn good.

Flavour: Drinks very similar to the nose – caramelised malts and toffee lead the way but there’s a slightly broader hop presence here on the palate. Especially once it comes up to room temperature. Plenty of yeast esters coming through, providing spice and fruitiness. Nice little addition of bitterness which adds some balance as it finishes sweet, nutty and toasty. Good duration on the back end too.

Mouthfeel: Sticky, chewy texture but the lifted Co2 lightens the load a bit. Medium body and the 6.8% ABV is incredibly well concealed.

Overall: Solid beer from Eden. Much to our surprise this was only our 2nd entry from this respectable brewery. It’s well balanced, on point and enjoyable even on this 36 degree Sydney arvo!

Rating:

“Using a selection of German malts, with a majority Munich base, this beer is packed with rich toasty, bready, caramel aroma and flavour. Huell Melon hops used to provide some underlying bitterness without overpowering the palate. Underwent a 3 step mash and cold conditioned for many moons to ensure the best result for our Oktoberfest punters.”

Glassware: Dimpled mug.

Appearance: Pours somewhat crimson merging into mahogany topped off with a frothy three finger head. Steady reduction and a tonne of thick sudsy lace clinging to the glass as it ebbs.

Aroma: Very nice fusion of rich sweet malts and delicate roasted notes. We’re getting some interesting fruity hop scents but it’s the malt show here…caramel, toffee, dark fruits, cereal grains and even a touch of rice crackers and umami. Showing the whole grain spectrum. We’re quite fascinated by the hops used in the brew. Huell Melon hey.

Flavour: Unique, we must admit. Falls somewhere between a Dark Lager and a Dark Ale. The Huell Melon hops which have us intrigued impart ripe melon (quite obviously) and maybe pear? Subtle touches of roasted malt, mild bitterness and warming booze are softened by treacle and toffee. The slightly burnt flavours push into a smooth-ish finish with a hint of bitterness and booze on the back palate.

Mouthfeel: Medium bodied, a little prickly. Co2 is spot on. The 7.5% ABV shows through a tad more than we’d like.

Overall: A little confusing. The can portrays a traditional Doppelbock but it’s anything but. It’s distinctly roasty, slightly bitter and boozy and the hops (although interesting) don’t really gel in our opinion.

Rating:

“Auris 19 owes its distinct taste to the 19° extract from the historical malt variety Steffi, refined by the Riegele husk separation process.”

Glassware: Half Stein.

Appearance: Nice bright golden pour with a slight haze. It forms a thumb of tightly held off white foam which gradually recedes. Healthy lace sticks to the glass as it subsides.

Aroma: At its core it’s very peeled back and conventional but it still manages to pull the olfactory’s in a few different directions. Initially it’s uber crisp and clean, kinda like a good German Pilsner but then the yeast profile throws out some interesting fruity notes. Also picking up some honey sweetness, delicate orchard fruits, toasted granola and old herbs. Has us intrigued.

Flavour: Fairly rich and semi sweet upfront. What we’re really digging is the Noble hops that cut through the richness like butter…also bringing a gentle bitterness to the party as well. The booze adds a tiny bit of warmth as unripened orchard fruits cross the mid and lead into a rather dry, crisp and herbaceous finish.

Mouthfeel: Well rounded and inoffensive which is pretty impressive considering its size (9% ABV). Medium body and low-ish Co2.

Overall: We must say it’s a very peculiar beer. It seems part Helles, part Tripel and part Bock. Categorising this bad boy would be a mesmerising discussion. Solid offering though.

Rating:

“A noble dark double-bock beer with tradition, which invites to celebrate.
With an original gravity of 18.5° (1074), 7.2% ABV and at least 75% dark malts as well as a delicate hoppy bitterness it is full-bodied, velvety smooth and distinctly malty in taste.”

Glassware: Stein.

Appearance: You know you’ve got a conventional European beer with a swing top. Classic light brown/chestnut pour with a sturdy three finger crown nestled in on top. Not much lace clings to the glass as we go.

Aroma: Seriously, no one brews Doppelbocks like the Germans. This right here is exactly what we want from one; super sweet dark fruits, brown sugar and rum balls but exquisitely balanced by the bready malts, savoury nutty-ness, light toasty notes and sarsaparilla. Layers of caramel, toffee, a touch of banana peel and fig round out an absolutely superb aroma.

Flavour: And it only gets better. Just the mildest hint of roasted malt is enough to counter the rich, sweet caramels, port-like dark fruits and Christmas cake. We pick up a certain woody character which is cool as it hasn’t had any barrel contact. It hits a rather chewy molasses note midway then delivers a bready finish with light estery spice and treacle.

Mouthfeel: Nice and firm but still slick and gelatinous. Medium body with a well masked 7.2% ABV.

Overall: We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again…when it’s a traditional European beer you’re after, you’ve gotta go straight to the source. Top notch stuff.

Rating:

“The newest Special Listing on the block is the Salted Pretzel Chocolate Bock, brewed for all your favourite October activities. We have taken a Bock, which is a German style malt heavy lager and added salted pretzels and chocolate. Whatever you are celebrating this month, this Special Listing will get you across the line. You will find this brew to be rich and malt forward, with a big body rounding out to choccy goodness.”

Glassware: Half Stein.

Appearance: Light chestnut pour blending to deep amber edges. It forms a loosely packed three finger crown which reduces to a collar. Wet streaky legs trickle down the glass as we go.

Aroma: Quite a pronounced milk chocolate note meets the olfactory’s initially. Definitely getting the salty, brioche-like character of the pretzels too. The Bock base isn’t too bad…driven by caramelised sweetness, toffee and chewy dark fruits. We’re almost sure we keep detecting this subtle strawberries and cream accent but we keep questioning it. Cola lollies, chocolate mousse and Oreo’s as well.

Flavour: Wow, we weren’t expecting it to come together the way it has. Heady flavours but they’re balanced impeccably well. We get the sweet caramels and dark fruits on entry which morph into the sweet milky chocolate with remarkable simplicity. Kinda tangy, kinda salty middle leading into the doughy and fruity finish which draws out nicely.

Mouthfeel: Rather chewy, sticky texture. Low-ish Co2 and a medium-full body. The 6.6% ABV is well hidden.

Overall: Our first crack at this brewery from the GC. For a brewery that we, up until now, believed only brewed sours, this is an extremely impressive discovery. We’ll be keeping a close eye on this mob going forward.

Rating:

“Named after the month of May, Maibocks are a strong malty German lager brewed for the transition from cooler to warmer weather. While having substantial strength and body, in line with the bock style, it is a light amber colour compared to the darker Winter bocks. Maibocks are also distinguished by their noticeable bitterness and hop character.”

Glassware: Half Stein.

Appearance: Slightly hazy orange to amber kind of affair with a short off white head. It gradually peels off and drags a wet lace down the glass.

Aroma: There’s a fair bit going on here. First thoughts are a proper malt bomb but it corrects itself with a distinctly spicy and fruity hop profile. Malty sweet, caramels/honey, toast and crusty bread meets the olfactory’s intially while hints of orange citrus/orange blossom, star fruit, paw paw, spice, florals and earth puts icing on the cake.

Flavour: Oh yeah, it’s doing the same routine as the aroma – constantly shifting and changing direction and taking the taste buds on a journey. Starts relatively malty with tangy caramel, honey on toast, that sorta thing…then the fruity aspect kicks in again with all that orange citrus, red grapes and kiwifruit? Then it all combines to create this unique flavour before it finishes sweet and fruity with good length.

Mouthfeel: Surprisingly light and effortless with a slightly lifted Co2. Mild-moderate body with a well concealed 7% ABV.

Overall: Slow Lane impress us once again. The fruity component is really intriguing….it has to be coming from the Hersbrucker hops as Hallertau generally doesn’t impart fruity characteristics. Either way it’s another fine offering from this mob.

Rating:

“A strong, dark Doppelbock that´s more than meets the eye. Malty-aromatic, sweet, pleasently heavy, with an intensive fragrance and strong flavour; a world known specialty just like its baroque namesake, the brilliant painter and architect Cosmas Damian Asam.”

Glassware: Half Stein.

Appearance: Deep cola-like pour with a thumb of finely beaded foam resting on top. The head gradually peels off but maintains a fine film which leaves healthy lacing on the glass.

Aroma: Oh wow this is close to one of the breadiest Bocks we’ve ever smelt. Oodles of toast, pumpernickel, wholemeal dough and rye. Big helpings of sweet dark fruits like raisin, dates/prunes and fig. Getting a really strange hint of dog biscuits but thankfully it morphs into bakers chocolate, toffee, caramel and raw sugar. There’s a rich earthy-ness, mild roast and nutty accents to it as well. We could keep going all arvo. Brilliant!

Flavour: Dead set spot on for a Doppelbock. It’s super sweet but also bready and earthy so the balance is perfectly poised. Caramel, toast, nutty malt, molasses, licorice, brown sugar and dark fruits all vie for the most attention. Belgian Dubbel-like notes of Christmas cake, carob/cooking chocolate and cocoa powder shifting into an earthy yet sweet and slightly toasty finish.

Mouthfeel: Fairly dense and smooth. Medium-full body, perfectly carbed. The 7.3% ABV is really well buried.

Overall: Superb. Up there with some of the best Bocks we’ve ever had. It hardly puts a foot wrong.

Rating:

“This mythological creature has the head and body of a lager and the antlers of woodfired smoke, balanced on the wings of lightly spiced aromatics. Notes of caramel and honey carry you high above the forest to soar like the Rasselbock.”

Glassware: Half Stein.

Appearance: Not many sights can present better than a Stein glass full of gorgeous amber fluid which has excellent Co2 activity and a billowing four finger head. That is precisely what we have in front of us.

Aroma: So only one of us Hopheads got to enjoy MC’s Rauchbier Festival. The other has been hearing about it ever since so we thought we’d (re) acquaint ourselves with Hop Nation’s entry for it. Like all good smoked beers it displays a hearty dose of smoked ham hock/bacon, burnt wood and peat. Other delectable scents of cured meats, toast, spice/esters, smoked caramel and honey also come through.

Flavour: Loving how they’ve scaled the smoky element back here. More of that classic rich malty sweetness and dark fruits we come to expect are evident. Some light toasty notes here and there, subtle chocolate/cocoa and nutty malt appearing before it rounds off on a smoky, woody and semi sweet finish. Good length too.

Mouthfeel: Very smooth and slick. Medium body with mild-medium Co2. The 7.8% ABV is very well behaved.

Overall: Hop Nation have really surprised us lately. Particularly with Rattenhund but this smoked Doppelbock is a really well structured and nicely balanced beer as well. Kudos!