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Updated Review 01/08
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18 month old bottle. $5.99 Cheers, Carrollton, GA, USA.
Although the carbonation is still there with an aggressive pour, after the initial life it is pretty much dead. Quite smooth and sweet with a touch of oxidation, this drinks “wine-like” and has a little note of sherry and maderia. Alcohol seems to have toned down a lot. Alcohol is still in the nose, but the taste of it has mellowed.
Finish is only lightly alcoholic as opposed to harshly.
To be honest, this is a little thin in the mouth after the aging.
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Original Review 06/06
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First off, I definitely think that this is a Weizenbock rather than a Doppelbock. Putting that aside it pours an amazingly dark, garnet red color with a big head that gives great lacing. The pour is viscous and sticky and the mouthfeel reflects that sugary combination.
Aroma is quite strong with alcohol very prominent. Taste is excellent and typical of the style – very sweet, alcohol and warming malts. No hops obvious. This does drink up to its 9.5% ABV, and in that respect it is a big beer, but unusually this does not seem to detract from the drinkability. A massive beer that is easy to drink – take care!
Finish is warming and alcoholic, but this is a delicious beer. A very solid example of one of my favorite styles.