Einstök Icelandic Doppelbock

 

Review Date 12/4/2020  By John Staradumsky

Don’t you just love the holidays? I know I do. Thanksgiving (in America), Christmas, New Years. Bright colorful lights, cheery music, succulent food, and best of all-beer! Many breweries make a special holiday brew, and some even brew two! One of them is Einstök Ölgerd of Ehf, Akureyri, Iceland, and I managed to snag a six-pack of each of them recently.

I was on a beer hunt, you see, on Black Friday of 2020. I went early, and I wore a mask. I was after the 2020 release of Rogue Santa’s Private Reserve, but never did find it. The staff were peddling Goose Island Bourbon Country Brand Stout, Prairie Christmas Bomb!, and various other goodies. I spied something better, though: Einstök Icelandic Doppelbock. What joy! What glee! I had enjoyed other Einstök beers don’t you know, but had always looked enviously upon those that found the winter doppelbock. Doppelbocks are, after all, my very favorite style of beer.

A six-pack of this treat went right into my cart, as did another six of their Winter Ale. See? I told you they had two.

Einstök says on the can label:

This limited-edition seasonal is only available through the holiday season, but this winter celebration German-style Doppelbock is worth the wait. Malted barley and chocolate tones define the traditional style, while the robust aroma and long, mellow finish will make this the perfect companion for your holiday adventures. Get it while you can.

Einstök lists the following as “key ingredients”:

Munich malt, pilsner malt, crystal malt, chocolate malt, Bavarian hops.

Einstök Icelandic Doppelbock has an alcohol content of 6.7% by volume. I paid $12.49 for my six-pack, a very good deal I think for such a special beer. My cans are stamped 30.07.20 BF 30/SEP/2021. The Viking on the can with the reindeer horns has red nose. I assume his name is Rudolf.

Einstök Icelandic Doppelbock pours to a deep chestnut color with a thick creamy tan head and a wonderful rich nutty malt nose. Taking a sip, the beer is full in body with toasty nutty melanoidin goodness throughout, rich and malty just as the style commands. There’s a hint of chocolate and a dry (but not overly bitter) hop finish.

Almost as good as the German examples, and I can think of no finer compliment. A new addition to my annual Christmas beer list.

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, canned

(D)=Draft

 

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