Once upon a time—say, between the 14th and 17th centuries—Einbeck, Germany, was the glittering malt-fueled jewel of Northern Europe, exporting so much rich, bready beer it might as well have invented the phrase “liquid gold.” But alas, as with most good things, the Thirty Years War and a few tragically timed brewery bonfires reduced the town’s brewing legacy to smoke and folklore. Enter the monks of Munich’s St. Francis of Paula church, 17th century heroes with a thirst for salvation and no tolerance for weak beer. They reimagined the Einbeck style, slurred the name into “bock,” and gave birth to a fasting-season revelation: Salvator, the original doppelbock—Latin for “Savior,” but spiritually closer to “monastic party fuel.”
Rich, velvety, chest-warming, and deeply malty with just a whisper of hop balance, the doppelbock is no shy beer. It’s not twice as strong, but it feels like it should be, especially when that caramel and toasted bread character shows up like a choir of roasted angels, which brings us to now, and to today’s divine duel at Peaks & Pints: Beer Flight: Doppelbock Duel—a taste-off between German classics and bold American interpretations, a battle of malt-forward majesty where everyone wins, especially your liver. Strap in. Sip slowly. Let the caramel savior rise.
Peaks and Pints Beer Flight: Doppelbock Duel
Ayinger Celebrator Doppelbock
6.7% ABV
During Lent, as legend goes, German monks sustained themselves by sipping strong, dark lagers dubbed doppelbocks. This timeworn tale of liquid bread tends to overshadow an indisputable truth: Doppelbocks are fantastic feats of brewing engineering, no more so than Ayinger Celebrator. With accolades from the late Michael Jackson and a collection of gold medals from the World Beer Cup, this rich, toffee-rocked lager is dark, crisp, with a touch of chocolate and grape notes. While presenting a full body, it’s not cloyingly sweet and features a wonderfully creamy body and enough alcohol to warm your palate. Fun fact: Charles Finkel, who founded beer importer Merchant du Vin and Pike Brewing, named this beer, which we learned on the Grit & Grain Podcast Episode 41, Part 1.
Paulaner Salvator
7.9% ABV, 28 IBU
Located in Munich, the Paulaner brewery officially started in 1634 when the Paulaner Monks of the Neudeck Monastery brewed this doppelbock was and drank it instead of food during Lent. Salvator has always been the flagship beer, although a few refinements have been made over the years. It is the industry standard and perfectly embodies this lager style that is often called “liquid bread.” It’s brewed with Herkules, Tauras, and Hallertauer tradition hops using Munich and Pilsner malts that flow sweetly across the tongue, brightened by green grape and cherry fruitiness. Beautiful bready aromas, with tinges of alcohol spiciness, waft enticingly, while alcohol lends a gentle warmth into the finish.
Occidental Lucubrator
7.7% ABV
Occidental Brewing’s award-winning doppelbock is a dark and rich malty lager with notes of caramel, melanoidin, and a touch of roast malt. Its initial, subtle sweetness mellows nicely with subsequent sips, and a pleasant alcohol finish makes for a nice winter warmer.
E9 Doppelgoat
7.8% ABV
E9 Brewing‘s traditional German-style doppelbock lager is aged in a mix of Woodford Reserve, Widow Jane, and Sazarac Buffalo Trace barrels for classic bready malt character with hints of dried fruit and toffee matched with an underlying bourbon backbone.
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