Smooth Hoperator
Given that the character on the label is a ram and this beer ends in ator, I have reviewed it as a Dopplebock. I later checked the Stoudt's website and they call it an American Style Dopplebock. Appearance was dark amber with a nice 2 finger+ tan rocky head. Retention was quite good. As the head did recede it left a nice lace down the glass. As I drank it the much of the lace crawled slowly back down the glass, really nice looking. There was not a lot to smell here, the aroma was clean and fresh with a malt and tangerine rind hoppy but as I said not strong by any stretch T-There is a Carmel and biscuit malt character up-front, along with some sweetness. This is quickly beaten back by a good dose of citrus and green hop flavors. The citrus hops dominate with a tangerine and lime zest flavor, there is a contribution of bitter green flavor as well kind of like raw kale. This follows through to the finish and lingers for a nice amount of time. M-medium body, quite creamy, perfect carbonation for the creamy body. D-I could have several of these babies, the ABV is hidden well and could creep up on you. Overall-As I said, I reviewed this as a dopplebock, even though it is listed here on BA at the time I reviewed as an Amber Lager. With that in mind, I don't believe it hits the dopplebock mark head on but it one of the best I've had to date. The out-of-style big hop presence really adds to the style in my mind (which resides in my hophead). So having now been to the Stoudt's website and seeing that it is listed as an American Dopplebock, I say hell yeah, if Americans can their own IPA, then why not the dopplebock. Awesome beer.