Nate was right in asserting that I had reviewed Aventinus.  However, I actually reviewed the Eisbock version of this beer.  So, as much as this and the Eisbock are similar, they are not actually the same.  This beer is less intense, less thick, and less strong.  Don’t let that statement fool you; this beer is still a beer to be reckoned with.

Without further ado, let’s talk about this beer.  First off, this beer is a wheat doppelbock.  Translation: it is a wheat beer made in a very strong way, which is described as double strong bock.  (If you want to know what some of this means, it’s on this page as a link.)  It may be quite a bit darker than most would expect a wheat to be.  Since I mentioned the color, I’ll deal with it first.  It is dark crimson brown in color with a stable and creamy head.  It looked very nice in my glass that was made specifically for this beer. 

The aromas of this beer were many.  I noted that it had a mix between a barley wine and Belgian candy sugar aroma.  There was a winish quality that came though as though the beer was aged on lees (expended grapes that were used for wine fermentation).  Notes of over-ripe bananas, cloves, and cocoa were certainly noticeable. 

The over-ripe bananas were an important but subtle quality in the taste of this beer.  In addition, the cocoa (but not so much the cloves) came through.  The beer was not so yeasty as might be expected for a wheat beer, but this beer is anything but typical.  A nice alcohol warmth could easily be picked up.  There was also a smooth and full mouth-feel to the brew, which was just wonderful.  Because of all the malt and alcohol present, the beer ended in a medium dry maltiness.  For those who are not huge hop fans, this beer had no real bitterness or hoppy aromas.  I’ve had this beer many times and enjoyed it thoroughly every time that I have it.  Pick up one and try it.