How to Brew a Doppelbock: Double the Malts, Double the Bavarian Delight

Coming from the same family lineage of the rest of the Bock styles, the Doppelbock means “double bock.” A double bock is not really twice the bock.

However, the name was well received by patrons and so the name stuck, much like the Eisbock.

The first Doppelbock was brewed in Einbeck, Germanyin the 1300s. This beer was brewed with lightly kilned wheat and barley, top fermented yeast at a cool temperature.

This was brewed with a fair amount of hops and usually considered a high gravity beer.

First Wave of Change

As time went on, Muinich breweries started using only barley in their grain bill. The hop schedules also substantially changed. This was in large part due to the high carbonate water found in the region and the not so ample supply of hops.

Brewers also switched to a bottom fermenting lager yeast, as was the practice in Bavaria.

Things seemed to be going well for this beer style. The people of Munich really embraced this style and overshadowed the original imported version.

Then unexpectedly a set of unfortunate events occured. Fires in Einbeck in 1540 and in 1549, then the beginning of the 30 Years War all contributed to the downfall of this once promising beer style.

Second Wave of Change

In 1627, a group of Fransican monks from Paula,Italy settled in Neudeck, Munich. As has been well documented over the course of history, the Fransican monks are known for their fasting periods.

This basically prohibited them from consuming solid food.

Instead of feasting on food, the monks looked for beer for substance. This “liquid bread” as it was known as was a higher gravity beer with rich nutrients.

Style Profile and Characteristics of a Doppelbock

Appearance

• Golden to dark brown with hints of ruby highlights
• Head is from bright white to off-white
• Head retention should be good
• Clarity is a must

Aroma

• An aggressive and assertive maltiness
• Hop aroma may or may not be present
• Hints of chocolate, dark fruits, light caramel, and toastiness
• Low to moderate alcohol detected

Flavor

• Sweet and malty
• Ever so light chocolate, dark fruit, and toast
• Mild hop flavors
• Noticeable alcohol warmth
• Low to medium bitterness

Mouthfeel

• Very smooth
• Moderate to full body
• Low carbonation
• Slight alcohol warmth
• Not harsh and no astringency

Food Pairings

• Game Meat
• Pork
• Potatoes
• Mexican food
• Aged cheese
• Prosciutto

Doppelbock Characteristics

• Color Range: 6-25 SRM
• Original Gravity: 1.072 – 1.112 OG
• Final Gravity: 1.016 – 1.024 FG
• IBU Range: 16 – 26
• ABV Range: 7-10%

Recipe Development for a Doppelbock

Base Grain:

There is some belief out there that indicates a Doppelbock should be brewed with at least 80% of Pilsner malt. If a brewer is going this route then the other 10 – 20% will be Munich malt.

However, if you can get your hands on Weyermann’s 2 Row Munich malt, this is a viable option. One that I think I prefer.

I once read somewhere that most beers are better when they have Munich malt. I wish I could remember who said this because I believe he is right.

Specialty Grains:

If you are going the route of Pilsner malt as your base, then Munich should be added as a specialty grain. CaraMunich, up to 10% and Chocolate malt, up to 2% should round out your grain bill.

The real key here is to not overcomplicate your grain bill. The simpler the better.

Hops:

The hops really do not shine with this beer. Keep the bitterness and the hop aroma and flavor to a minimum. German hops are the obvious choice.

Hallertauer, Saaz, Northern Brewer, Perle, and Hersbrucker are all valid choices. Use a single bittering addition and possibly a very small amount, like 0.5 ounces in the last twenty minutes.

Yeast:

You will need a good German Lager yeast strain for a Doppelbock.

Wyeast 2308 Munich Lager, White Labs WLP920 Old Bavarian Lager, and SafLager S-23 are all good choices.

Doppelbock Recipe

Grain

• 80% 12 lbs Munich II
• 13% 2 lbs Pilsner; German
• 7% 1 lbs Caramunich III

Hops

• 0.75 oz Northern Brewer – Boil 60.0 min
• 0.50 oz Tettnang Pellets – Boil 20.0 min

Yeast

• 1.0 pkg Munich Lager (Wyeast Labs #2308)

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Doppelbock Beer?

A Doppelbock beer is a stronger and maltier version of the traditional German bock beer. It is characterized by its rich malt flavor, darker color, and a higher alcohol content typically ranging between 7 to 12%.

The name Doppelbock translates to “double bock,” which signifies its robust nature in comparison to the standard bock beer.

How does a Doppelbock differ from a Double Bock Beer?

The terms Doppelbock and Double Bock Beer are essentially synonymous, as “doppel” is German for “double.”

Both terms refer to the same type of beer which is a more robust version of the traditional bock. The usage of either term can depend on regional preferences or translation choices.

How can I brew my own Doppelbock, and what is the typical Doppelbock Recipe?

Brewing a Doppelbock requires patience and adherence to a specific recipe to achieve the desired rich malt flavor and higher alcohol content.

The process generally involves using a larger quantity of malt and a suitable lager yeast, followed by a longer fermentation period at cooler temperatures.

The typical Doppelbock recipe includes ingredients such as Munich malt, Pilsner malt, and melanoidin malt, paired with noble hops, and a lager yeast like the Wyeast 2308 Munich Lager yeast or the White Labs WLP830 German Lager yeast.

A diligent adherence to the brewing process and the fermentation schedule is crucial for achieving the characteristic Doppelbock profile.

What does the term “Bock” signify in Doppelbock?

The term “Bock” in Doppelbock refers to a specific style of German lager that is malt-forward, and typically has a moderate to strong alcohol content.

The term “bock” historically originates from the town of Einbeck in Germany, but over time, it phonetically morphed to “bock.”

The addition of “doppel” essentially doubles down on the strength and maltiness, thus giving us Doppelbock or “double bock.”

What kind of beer is Shiner Bock, and how does it relate to Doppelbock?

Shiner Bock is a popular American bock beer brewed by the Spoetzl Brewery in Shiner, Texas. It’s a lighter and more approachable version of a traditional bock, with a mild malt flavor and a lower alcohol content compared to a Doppelbock.

While it shares the bock lineage, it’s not as robust or alcoholic as a Doppelbock, making it a more sessionable choice for those who prefer a milder taste profile.