Gee, I wish I’d received the press release before we were in Las Vegas and I went looking for a doppelbock to try for The Session rather than a few days ago.
For the second straight year, the Hofbräuhaus Las Vegas is pouring a draft beer that is truly special – even by the standards of this beer hall that’s been redefining great-tasting beer for Las Vegans and visitors alike since 2004.
The Hofbräuhaus Las Vegas was able to obtain 50 kegs of this rare brew with the powerful punch (it contains 8% alcohol) and ultra smooth taste. Like all the Hofbräu beers served at Hofbräuhaus Las Vegas, this very special brew was imported fresh from Munich, Germany.
Made completely without preservatives, the Double Bock at Hofbräuhaus Las Vegas can be had only as long as the 50 kegs hold out – and it is a delicious treat not to be missed: this true Double Bock is made with a unique blend of pilsner and Munich malts, which eliminates bitterness, despite its higher alcohol content.
In addition, the Double Bock uses more hops in every batch than the other beers at Hofbräuhaus Las Vegas, and the beer is aged twice as long. The result? A surprisingly light-colored brew (compared to the dark, bitter mass-market American beers claiming to be “Double Bock”) that is amazingly smooth on the palate with a faint sweetness, which completely hides the fact that every delicious sip runs about 16 proof!
According to Hofbräuhaus Las Vegas president Stefan Gastager, Hofbräu Double Bock is more familiar to European beer drinkers; many Italians even use it as an aperitif, to whet the appetite before a meal. “Obviously, it is very special to be able to provide this great tasting beer with the storied history to our guests for a second year in a row,” Gastager said. “It’s not often that a beer of this magnitude is available in the United States; I invite everyone to come in and experience this great tasting brew while it lasts, but be careful this beer is very strong!”
. . . compared to the dark, bitter mass-market American beers claiming to be “Double Bock.”
Do you know of a Double Bock other than one from Samuel Adams? What kind of statement is the press release making about the doppelbocks brewed in Munich (where the style originated)?
Just trying to figure out whose bows are being shot across.
Troegenator comes to mind.
Mass produced, Wilson.
“Do you know of a Double Bock other than one from Samuel Adams?”
No, and I had one last night (okay, three) and it wasn’t at all bitter — not to mention that the last two Optimators and Salvators I enjoyed were pretty dog gone dark and also far from bitter. From where are those 2 imported again..?
Someone’s marketing department is tuned to a bad wavelength.
Wilson – What I was wondering is if they used “Double Bock” in quotes for a reason. Troegenator is a great example of doppelbock brewed in the spirit of Munich. Just some strange things about the press release that would make you think somebody thinks US beer drinkers are pretty unsophisticated.
Stan, I’m thinking the “translation” lies somewhere between Starkbier and Bockbier.
Couple links to consider: http://www.germanbeerinstitute.com/Starkbier.html (particularly the last sentence of the definition), and: http://www.germanbeerinstitute.com/Doppelbock.html
I have no idea what they mean, that press release was most likely written by a person in a pr office, then vetted by the people at the Hofbrau. So I could surmise that it could be a case of ignorance(exhibit a: “Made completely without preservatives”) meeting with language barrier(“beer of this magnitude”).
More Hops + Longer Aging = Surprisingly light colored brew
Worth a laugh 🙂
Amazing how hops suck color right out of beer.
LOL! Is that what happened to Coors Light!? I’ll have to try it again, now that I know it’s such a hoppy beer… 😉
“What I was wondering is if they used “Double Bock” in quotes for a reason. ”
Sorry. Groggy this am. I was confused by them using quotes and not Stan in the question he posed, so just threw out the first non-Sam Adams use of the words “double bock” that came to mind.
Perhaps they’re poking fun at the American tendency to think that European beer styles should be rigidly defined … by Americans!
Huh…guess they don’t realize Double = Doppel when translated?
Regardless, why don’t they bottle this if it’s SO special?!?!
“Regardless, why don’t they bottle this if it’s SO special?!?!”
I think they do, as Hofbrau Maibock — although the bottled variant is a little lighter in ABV. And it is as good as they claim.
Stonch, if we all thought Euro beer should be rigidly defined, would we have hopped the bejesus out of our version of IPA? Or created IIPA?
Besides that, the point is that there are no “dark, bitter mass-market American beers claiming to be “Double Bock.” It’s a mis-statement.
I’ve had the MaiBock at the Vegas place. So they renamed it as Double Bock?
Why?
Looking for a fight?
Can’t answer the question, marketing? Playing off those of us who hear Doppelbock and crane our necks in that direction.
I’ve had the MaiBock at the Vegas place. So they renamed it as Double Bock?
Was the Maibock 8% when you had it? Maybe the strength is why the decided to give it a different name.
The Double Bock was/is an excellent beer. I was only looking for a doppel because it was two days before The Session.
7.2% like the bottle, I thought?
No clue though. Regardless, why change the name to something it’s not? It’s just a Hellerbock now!
🙂
any german bear that ends in “ator” is a double bock. this includes Salvator, Optimator, bajavator, and a slew of others. Morreti LaRossa is duppolbock (my Italian is weak) – an Italian double bock, slightly sweeter than the germans. these beers are GREAT