Try?
The Dock Street Brewing Company has a history in
Philadelphia as a brewpub and contract brewer. In fact, I have fond memories
of drinking their Amber, bottled at F.X. Matt in Utica New York, on my
honeymoon in December of 1988. Subsequently the owner, Jeffrey Ware, opened
a brewpub downtown in Philadelphia (I still to this day remember sitting at
the bar sipping the wonderful beer and munching on the exquisite Trio
Fries), renowned for it's fine beer and cuisine. Eventually, Jeffrey sold
the Dock street brands to Henry Ortlieb, who was opening the Poor Henry's
brewery and brewpub in Philadelphia.
One of my favored Dock Street beers has always been the Illuminator Double Bock, and if anything Henry Ortlieb improved on the beer. I have visited the Ortlieb brewery on several occasions, but sadly the brewpub closed and the Poor Henry brands are no more. Sadder still, Henry Otlieb himself, a true brewing legend, passed a few years ago. Dock Street beers, however, have become a Philadelphia tradition, and are being produced once again at a small facility on 50th street. And while the Illuminator has been on hiatus for a while, it made a return in early 2007.
Illuminator Double Bock follows the German tradition of adding the -ator suffix to a doppelbock beer. It's dark brown in color with a minimal head formation and a sweet, heavenly malty nose. The palate is rich sweet malt, rich sweet malt, and rich sweet malt. There are hints of chocolate, nutty melanoidin flavors ,light molasses, and a touch of raisin. You could easily mistake this for an imported German brew, and it has been by far and away my favorite domestic doppel. If the new version holds true to the tradition of the past, this is truly a beer to light your way into better appreciation of craft beer.
One of my favored Dock Street beers has always been the Illuminator Double Bock, and if anything Henry Ortlieb improved on the beer. I have visited the Ortlieb brewery on several occasions, but sadly the brewpub closed and the Poor Henry brands are no more. Sadder still, Henry Otlieb himself, a true brewing legend, passed a few years ago. Dock Street beers, however, have become a Philadelphia tradition, and are being produced once again at a small facility on 50th street. And while the Illuminator has been on hiatus for a while, it made a return in early 2007.
Illuminator Double Bock follows the German tradition of adding the -ator suffix to a doppelbock beer. It's dark brown in color with a minimal head formation and a sweet, heavenly malty nose. The palate is rich sweet malt, rich sweet malt, and rich sweet malt. There are hints of chocolate, nutty melanoidin flavors ,light molasses, and a touch of raisin. You could easily mistake this for an imported German brew, and it has been by far and away my favorite domestic doppel. If the new version holds true to the tradition of the past, this is truly a beer to light your way into better appreciation of craft beer.
And remember, try a new beer today, and drink outside the box.
*Pricing data accurate at time of review or latest update. For reference only, based on actual price paid by reviewer.
(B)=Bottled
(D)=Draft
(G)=Growler
