Spring Break
Brews Clues
Dennis Mongello
Issue date: 2/8/08 Section: Arts & Entertainment
As Catholics around the world begin their Lenten celebrations, it makes sense to review a doppelbock. It was known as "liquid bread" to the German priests of yore who would fast during the holy season. Without food for nourishment, they had to drink their calories, and drink they did. Doppelbocks packed more barley per ounce than any loaf of bread. These malts gave the beer a bold color and even bolder flavor. Given the choice, I'd rather go with my daily beer than my daily bread too.
Enter Atwater Brewery. Their Voodoo Vator packs a big 10 percent ABV in a 12-ounce package all the way from Detroit, Mich.
Voodoo Vator looks almost black in the middle but turns translucent dark brown as it gets to the edges of the glass. It looks strong and dark, almost like a stout, but stouts don't turn brown on the outside. It had a healthy head. It dissipated pretty quickly though to leave minimal lacing. Surprisingly, it has a light, flowery scent and honey aroma. It is a heavy but refreshing smell that is welcome for a beer so dark.
This brew is heavy on the malts. It has a lot of dark, roasted malts, which give the beer its deliciously dark color. It has a strange flavor profile. Usually dark beers have big flavors, but these flavors are relatively mild and light. They are also of flavors that aren't generally associated with beer, like figs, dates and raisins. These flavors impart a slight sourness on the sides of your tongue that is quite refreshing. Aside from that, there is a slight bit of hops to give the beer a bit of texture, but the roasted malts dominate the short finish. It's an overall weak flavor that is just unexpected and displeasing from a doppelbock.
The beer is highly carbonated and it goes down smooth. It can be chugged or sipped. It is a big beer with 10 percent ABV, but there is no burn. The folks at Atwater Block Brewery did a great job at hiding the alcohol. It is really easy drinking. In terms of a food match, mild meats like poultry or lamb would go best. What's good about Voodoo Vator isn't in the taste, but in the aroma, and the fact that is has a ton of alcohol, but it goes down so easily. I'd rather have the taste. Voodoo Vator is not exactly the best example of a doppelbock, so if you need a big malty brew any time soon, feel free to celebrate with a Celebrator, or optimize with an Optimator.
Enter Atwater Brewery. Their Voodoo Vator packs a big 10 percent ABV in a 12-ounce package all the way from Detroit, Mich.
Voodoo Vator looks almost black in the middle but turns translucent dark brown as it gets to the edges of the glass. It looks strong and dark, almost like a stout, but stouts don't turn brown on the outside. It had a healthy head. It dissipated pretty quickly though to leave minimal lacing. Surprisingly, it has a light, flowery scent and honey aroma. It is a heavy but refreshing smell that is welcome for a beer so dark.
This brew is heavy on the malts. It has a lot of dark, roasted malts, which give the beer its deliciously dark color. It has a strange flavor profile. Usually dark beers have big flavors, but these flavors are relatively mild and light. They are also of flavors that aren't generally associated with beer, like figs, dates and raisins. These flavors impart a slight sourness on the sides of your tongue that is quite refreshing. Aside from that, there is a slight bit of hops to give the beer a bit of texture, but the roasted malts dominate the short finish. It's an overall weak flavor that is just unexpected and displeasing from a doppelbock.
The beer is highly carbonated and it goes down smooth. It can be chugged or sipped. It is a big beer with 10 percent ABV, but there is no burn. The folks at Atwater Block Brewery did a great job at hiding the alcohol. It is really easy drinking. In terms of a food match, mild meats like poultry or lamb would go best. What's good about Voodoo Vator isn't in the taste, but in the aroma, and the fact that is has a ton of alcohol, but it goes down so easily. I'd rather have the taste. Voodoo Vator is not exactly the best example of a doppelbock, so if you need a big malty brew any time soon, feel free to celebrate with a Celebrator, or optimize with an Optimator.
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