Aecht Schlenkerla Eiche

That's not a typo. It's German! Now, I don't sprechen sie deutsch, but I did notice, in English, doppelbock and oak smoke. I'm in.

Aecht Schlenkerla Eiche pours lighter than I expected, but it's a nice amber with a big head, though that may be a function of the bottle neck. The smell is smoke, and a ton of it, with some meat. The smoke is by far the dominating and overpowering flavor, but I do get some pork and there is a bit of sweet malt, too. It's like liquid bacon. Goes down quite easily, and there is no hint of the 8% ABV.

This is unlike any doppelbock I've had. So if you think you'll be getting something like Celebrator or Salvator, you're not. It is firmly a Rauchbier.

Overall, it's pretty tasty, but the smoke really is a lot to handle. Be ready!

Grade: B

Great Lakes The Doppelrock

I know it's a bit late in the season for a doppelbock, but how can you go wrong with A) a doppelbock and 2) anything from Great Lakes?

Great Lakes The Doppelrock is a very exciting beer for me. One of my favorite styles from one of my favorite breweries. It starts like a doppelbock should, dark brown color and a big creamy head. The nose is basically just dark, sweet malt, but it's huge.

Lots of dark sweet malt in the flavor, along with nuttiness and bittersweet chocolate. Almost no hop presence, but that's fine with this style. A little bit of wood and alcohol warmth. Bit of a sweet and dry finish. And a very late sour hit.

This is one of those that's great to drink or to sip and savor. Overall, an excellent beer. Very good example of the style.

Grade: A

Paulaner Salvator Doppelbock

From another monastery, and one of the supreme styles of the example, here is Paulaner Salvator Doppelbock. Another substitute for food during lent, and translates to "Savior". It can certainly save me!

Pours a fuzzy copper. More orange than brown with not much head at all. Smells of butterscotch and sweet bread. The taste is big, smooth, and creamy. Lots of butterscotch, but a bit of a sour bite in the finish. Some late alcohol and sweetness, too.

It's quite good. I'd put it in the top tier of doppelbocks, but I wouldn't say it's my favorite.

By the way, the website listed on the label doesn't exist. That has me a little worried.

Grade: B

Troegs Brewing Troegenator Double Bock

You've heard beer referred to as "liquid bread." Doppelbocks are why. During times of fasting, monks would rely on stronger beers, like doppelbocks, for nutrition. I love them because they taste good! Troegs Brewing makes quite a tasty one with Troegenator.

A dark copper with ruby edges flows out of the bottled adorned with an interesting looking character set off with bushy white hair and a nasty set of horns. I assume he is The Troegenator. Smells like bread and spice. Not a lot of hops here, but I do get some sweet, toasty bread, some spice in the finish with a bit of chocolate in the aftertaste. Not really bitter, and the 8.2% ABV is sneaky.

Compared to Celebrator, this is not as creamy and the mouthfeel isn't as full, but the flavors are more assertive.

Troegs Brewing is based in Harrisburg, PA and this is the first I've had from them. But based on this and reading the brews on their website, I'm very interested in trying again.

Could I live on this if I had to? I'd certainly be willing to try!

Grade: A

Ayinger Celebrator Doppelbock

Considered not only the epitome of a doppelbock, but one of the best beers in the world, it's Ayinger's Celebrator. I'm drawn in even before opening the bottle with the ornate label featuring a glass overflowing with beer surrounded by two goats. And of course the plastic goat hanging from the neck (hey, a toy!).

Celebrator pours an inviting mahogany with a thin tan head. There's a malty must in the smell with some spice in the background. Very similar flavors in the taste. It's full of malt but is subtly sweet, bread, and just a kick of spice at the back. Aftertaste of some chocolate and hazelnut. It's smooth, creamy, and amazingly drinkable.

Just be careful, that 6.7% ABV could catch up quickly!

Grade: A+