Weltenburger Kloster ‘Asam’ Bock

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.