Aug 20, 2012

Great Divide Wolfgang

It’s way too early in the year for pumpkin ales and Fall Seasonals to be showing up on shelves. Hell, it was still 90 plus degrees when I had a hankering for something rich and malty last week. I caved and ultimately purchased one of those way-too-early brews.

Wolfgang, from Colorado’s Great Divide Brewing, is an 8% ABV doppelbock that took care of my malty craving just right. The beer is not only big in bottle size (I believe it’s only available in 22 oz bombers), but it also drinks big as one would expect with the higher alcohol content. But the potency of the beer isn’t all that it has to offer.

Appearance

Wolfgang pours a dark, chestnut with a light tan head that lasted a good long while.

Aroma

A light roast, caramel, toffee, bread and a touch of dark fruits combine for a rich nose as a light waft of alcohol becomes more prominent as the beer warms.

Taste

The beer has a strong bready malt backbone with a solid helping of caramel and toffee as a subtle roast mingles in the background. As expected with the style the beer has a moderate amount of malt sweetness that lingers well past the boozy warmth of the semi-dry finish. Wolfgang also has a welcoming hop presence that forms late in each swallow that leaves a subtle bitterness to counter-act the sweet. Medium-to-full bodied, the beer drinks smooth.

Overall

I needed something rich and malty. Wolfgang delivered. It may still be way too hot outside for the Fall releases to be hitting the shelves, but this beer is exactly what I was in the mood for. It’s also a beer that I will be purchasing more of as the days get shorter and colder. Avery’s The Kaiser used to be my big beer of choice for the fall (and style), but I think Wolfgang may have just taken that title. Looks like I’ll have to do a little side-by-side tasting to determine the winner.

Rating: 4/5

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