Weltenburger Kloster Asam-Bock
Pours a very deep mahogany that's almost opaque at the center of the glass but reveals glowing ruby and chestnut hightlights along the edges. Its creamy, yellowish tan head drops fairly quickly, but that's to be expected for the style. It does leave some minor spotty lace about the glass, but for the most part it simply maintains a thin, whispy surface covering. Dark, cocoa-ish malt and a combination of dark & red-berry fruitiness greet you in the nose. It's clean and inviting without a hint of alcohol. Brewed from an initial gravity of 18 degrees Plato, the body is medium-full and glides smoothly across the palate with a gentle caress from its fine-bubbled and slightly restrained carbonation. More chocolatey and dark toffee notes appear in the flavor and become more creamy and cocoa-ish at the swallow along with some quickly passing notes of fruit. Some nutty, deeply-toasted and almost roasty notes appear in the aftertaste as it's low-key bitterness begings to rise. It's rich and sweetish but extremely well balanced by an underlying bitterness that keeps everything in check. It never becomes truly bitter, but it does dry very quickly. Hints of black licorice appear towards the end of the serving. And although its alcohol is very well cloaked, some alcohol does appear later on, but it never build on the palate and only helps to dry the finish. Exceptionally well done! An impressive doppelbock that easily rivals the most famous examples from Germany!