Sudwerk Brewing–The Bourbonator

From a Brewery I’ve never heard of to a creation I’ve never heard of.  99% of the beers I drink are ales; however, this is one of the few lagers I’ve tried.  For me, ales have more scent, taste, and feel than do lagers.  This particular beer is a play on a German doppelbock, a bourbon barrel doppelbock.  Basically, a strong German lager that’s been unusually aged in Kentucky oak bourbon barrels, rather than standard aging vessels.

The appearance alone doesn’t tell one that this is a lager.  It’s extremely dark, almost black body looks the part.  Around the edges, some lighter shades of brown come through, but this is a very dark beer.  At first, a small head appears.  However, it’s short lived, like less than a minute.  Nice looking, but really needs better head retention.  A swirl brings life, maybe a quarter inch thick…tiny, creamy bubbles, dingy beige in color and virtually no lacing.

Based on a single whiff of The Bourbonator, you’ll quickly pick up the bourbon notes.  Very aggressive.  The oak gives a combination of smoke and vanilla, while caramel stays in the background.  With the bourbon barrel aging, it might be masking the 9% alcohol in the beer, regardless, it smells strongly of booze.

Lots of caramel in the taste.  Reminds me of flat Dr. Pepper.  Being a doppelbock, I’m picking up what I believe to be some spicy German hops, as there is a rye flavor.  Bourbon generally gives off a vanilla flavor, and vanilla is present in the carbonated finish.

A lot happens on the palate.  One second you think creamy, then a little spice changes things up, then some crispness and sweetness in the finish, and finally a touch of lingering heat.  It’s certainly not a dull beer.

I tend to shy away from lagers as they can’t match the flavor profile of ales, but doppelbocks have always been good to me and this was no exception.  The boozy caramel and vanilla flavor is pleasant, as as the creamy mouthfeel followed by a refreshing crispness finish.  This was very enjoyable.