A CURE FOR THE COMMON COLD

Intense flavors of caramel malt and a soft roast finish are paired with a delightfully dark color and a rich body, wrapped in a solidly high 7-10% abv. It warms you, fills you up and goes perfectly with rich roasted foods or desserts. If that doesn’t sound like the perfect beer to sip next to a crackling fireplace, we don’t know what does.

Still not convinced? Perhaps you might be persuaded by diving a little deeper into the origins of this delightful beer.

WHY DOPPEL?

Doppel in German means double. To put it simply a Doppelbock is double the ‘bock;’ or even simpler it’s a stronger version of a German-style bock beer. Similar to when word “double” is used to describe other beer styles, like a Double IPA, expect higher ABV and more intense flavor.

And when it comes to bocks, Doppel is just the beginning. There’s the original bock or Dunkel Bock. There’s the Maibock, a more hop-centric paler bock. A Weizenbock that’s brewed with wheat. There’s even an Eisbock or “ice bock” a stronger bock made by freezing the beer and removing the excess ice leaving more of the alcohol behind. Needless to say, whatever you fancy there are plenty of bocks to choose from this winter.

Doppelbock Begins

The Doppelbock’s origins can be traced all the way to back to 1600s where it was first brewed by monks at the Paulaner brewery in Munich. But the history here is as dark and opaque as the beer itself.

The most popular legend claims the monks created the beer as a means of sustenance during their Lenten fast. Others argue the beer was never used for fasting, but instead the opposite, saying it was meant for celebration and feasting. Although it is hard to say for sure, the truth is likely somewhere in the middle.

In 1651 the monks at Paulaner celebrated the Feast Day of their founding father, Saint Francis of Paola, where they drank and served Sankt-Vaters-Bier (Beer of the Sacred Father) to the townsfolk.

This sacred beer was the first Doppelbock nicknamed ‘liquid bread’ for its richness and meal-like ability to fill you up. Since this annual event was held in April it sometimes took place during Lent. So, it was both drank as a part of a feast, but also during Lent…hence the confusion.

The Sankt-Vaters-Bier would eventually become known as Salvatorbier or Salvator, meaning savior in Latin. Centuries later Paulaner would trademark the name “Salvator”, but breweries would continue honoring the original by ending their doppelbock names with “-ator”.

Although the history may be murky, what is clear is Doppelbocks are a delicious hearty beer and can be drank on any occasion.

Sources:

Š “The Real Story of Doppelbock”, Mark Dredge

Š “Style School: The Hallowed Comforts of Doppelbock”, Jeff Alworth

Classic & Contemporary Examples:

Š Ayinger Celebrator, Ayinger Privatbrauerei (Aying, Germany)

Š Dissimulator, Twin City Brewing Company (BC) (Silver, Bock – Traditional German Style, 2022 Canadian Brewing Awards)

Š Elevator Doppelbock, Hell’s Basement Brewery Inc. (AB) (Gold, Bock – Traditional German Style, 2022 Canadian Brewing Awards)

Š Navigateur, Brasseux d’la Cote (NB) (Gold, Canada Beer Cup)

Š Road Block Doppelbock, Walkerville Brewery (ON)

Š Salvator, Paulaner Brauerei (Munich, Germany)

Š Samuel Adams Double Bock, Boston Beer Co. (MA)

BSG’S DOPPELBOCK BUYERS GUIDE Malt

There’s arguably no right way to brew a Doppelbock. But when it comes to malt, we recommend combining a German or Munich style with a roasted malt to produce the Doppelbock’s classic malty, bready, toasted characteristics and dark amber color.

At BSG we have a wide variety of Weyermann® malts ideal for your next doppelbock, but we also offer some great domestic options from BC based Gambrinus Malting.

Š Weyermann® Munich Malt Type 1

Š Weyermann® Munich Malt Type 2

Š Gambrinus Organic Munich Light

Š Gambrinus Munich Dark

Š Weyermann® CARAAROMA®

Š Weyermann® CARAMUNICH® Type 1

Š Weyermann® CARAFA® Special Type 1 (dehusked)

Hops

Doppelbocks traditionally have a low bitterness and very little hop aroma and flavor. So going with a German noble hop is a safe bet.

Š German Hallertau Mittelfrüh - the quintessential noble hop, mild and approachable with a mixture of sweet, earthy and herbal notes.

Š German Northern Brewer - versatile and mild, predominantly spicy with an undercurrent of woods and wild fruit.

Š Mount Hood - American-bred descendent of Hallertau Mittelfrüh, it is moderately intense and sweet with suggestions of herbal notes, flowers and green fruit.

Yeast

Originating from the famous VLB institute in Germany, Fermentis SafLager™ S-23 is a true lager yeast capable of producing continental lagers with fruity notes, perfect for a Doppelbock.

Š Fermentis SafLager™ S-23 – 100g