This Pump House seasonal / 10-year (and 10% ABV, supposedly) anniversary brew pours a deep mahogany, with a modest head.There is some alcohol in the aroma, especially as it warms up. It's malty with some caramel / demerara sugar.
There is definitely some alcohol in the taste. It's a little medicinal that borders / competes with a licorice slant. It's warming on a cold day, for sure. As the glass goes on, the alcohol is a bit strong / lingering in the aftertaste. On the plus side, the high ABV doesn't really factor in the feel. It's really reminding me of some amber or dark rums.
It has a medium feel and carbonation, with a slick finish.
Overall... maybe a 3 or a 4 out of 5. The novelty of having it on tap on PEI (at Water Street Fish & Chips) makes me want to say a 4, even though I feel it's really more of a 3. I'd have it again, especially if this weather persists.
Could almost be an Eisbock.
ReplyDeleteThe medicinal doesn't sounds good. Do you think it may have been more ethanol than chlorophenol?
Jim B.
Since Pumphouse employs a professional brewer, I doubt if it was medicinal
ReplyDeleteThat doesn't really mean anything... perhaps just makes it less likely. I think the reason that it was bordering on that slant for me that day is the anise / licorice / herbal slant I picked up. It wasn't astringent or something like that... it just had this strong combo of alcohol and a bit of the bright, biting licorice that makes one think of some medicines.
DeleteI was at Portsmouth Brewing in New Hampshire last year, and had a couple of their beers on tap. I purchased a bottle of one in their retail shop, and drank it a couple of weeks later. It was definitely infected. Portsmouth Brewing is a highly-respected brewery, and they make lots of great beers... but mistakes/accidents/infections happen to every brewery.
DeleteNot saying your Doppelbock was necessarily infected. Just agreeing with the point that being commercial brewery doesn't protect you completely.
Agreed. One just has to look at the “butter bombs” churned out by Picaroons in Fredericton NB
ReplyDeleteJim B.