Doppelbock
A very strong, rich, malty German lager, once brewed by monks as liquid bread for fasting.
About the Doppelbock style
The doppelbock, or double bock, was created by the Paulaner monks of Munich, who brewed a strong, nourishing beer to sustain them through Lenten fasts. Their original was named Salvator, and many examples still carry names ending in -ator.
It is one of the richest lagers, with deep malty, bready and dried-fruit flavours and a warming strength, yet kept smooth and clean by cold lager fermentation.
Grain, hops and yeast
Malt and grain: A large Munich malt base for deep bready, toasty, sometimes lightly chocolate malt and a rich body.
Hop character: Low noble hopping; the malt and strength lead.
Yeast and fermentation: A clean, capable lager yeast fermenting the very high gravity, then lagered long.
A typical Doppelbock runs 7 to 10% alcohol by volume, with a bitterness of about 16 to 26 IBU and a colour of 6 to 25 SRM. It is traditionally served in a goblet or willi becher. These figures describe the usual range for the style; a given example may sit a little outside them.
Serving and carbonation
Serve a doppelbock warm for a lager, around 8 to 11 degrees Celsius, in a goblet, with a moderate carbonation, and pour small measures for its strength. Its rich malt opens up as it warms, so it rewards slow drinking.
Fermentation in brief
Pitch a large, healthy dose of a clean lager yeast and ferment cold around 9 to 12 degrees Celsius, since the very high gravity is demanding. A long cold lager, often a month or more, smooths the alcohol and rounds the rich malt.
Classic examples
Well-known commercial examples of the style include Paulaner Salvator, Ayinger Celebrator and Spaten Optimator. Tasting a benchmark example is the best way to understand what a style should be before brewing your own.
| Vital statistic | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Origin | Germany (Munich) |
| Strength (ABV) | 7 to 10% |
| Bitterness (IBU) | 16 to 26 |
| Colour (SRM) | 6 to 25 |
| Traditional glass | Goblet or Willi Becher |
Typical published ranges. Individual examples vary.
Set up your Doppelbock on tap
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Sources: BJCP Beer Style Guidelines ยท Wikidata (Q10268334)