Kees first made this beer a couple of year ago (2018), and I was intrigued as soon as I saw it. Dopplebocks are very much a style I enjoy, but an ‘Indian Summer’ version seemed something of a paradox.
Being a European autumn seasonal, not everything fits into our container schedules, so we’ve all had to wait a while to taste this beer.
It’s changed a little since the first incarnation, with the ABV increasing and the hopping regime changing. The version we have is late 2019.
A rich malt body, quite heavy on the tongue but satisfyingly smooth. Flavours of caramel, dark dried fruit, prunes, raisins, brown sugar. The twist with this beer is the use of a smoked malt giving that hint of wood smoke.
This smoke is more obvious in the flavour, more than just background noise. Quite rich and malty, a little fruity, clean lager yeast. Hallertau and Magnum hops. And pretty easy drinking for the alcohol content.