Top 10 Doppelbocks Brewed in USA
This Top Ten List of Best Doppelbocks is from the results of the U.S. Open Beer Championship, Great American Beer Festival, and beer judges across America. The best Doppelbocks have a malty sweetness that is dominant but should not be cloying. Malt character is more reminiscent of fresh and lightly toasted Munich-style malt; more so than caramel or toffee malt character. Some elements of caramel and toffee can be evident and contribute to complexity, but the predominant malt character is an expression of toasted barley malt. Doppelbocks are full bodied and deep amber to dark brown in color. ABV: 6.5% – 8.0%. IBU: 17-27
America’s Best Top 10 Doppelbocks
1) Pathinator – Narrow Path Brewing Co – Ohio
A highly regarded doppelbock from a medal-winning Cincinnati-area brewery, Pathinator delivers rich, roasty malt with notes of caramel, toffee, and subtle dark fruit. It’s smooth, full-bodied, and perfectly balanced for the style—often praised for its drinkability and depth despite its strength.
Brewery: Narrow Path Brewing Co
Address: 106 Karl Brown Way, Loveland, OH 45140, United States
Website: https://www.narrowpathbrewing.com
2) Convex Refraction – Jackie O’s Brewery – Ohio
A bold, modern take on the classic doppelbock, this bourbon barrel-aged version is hefty and luxurious, featuring layers of caramelized malt, rye spice, bread pudding, toasted cacao, and deep bourbon notes from extended aging. It’s rich, warming, and complex—elevating the style with barrel influence.
Brewery: Jackie O’s Brewery
Address: 171 North Fourth Street, Columbus, OH (On Fourth location; original in Athens at 24 W Union St)
Website: https://jackieos.com
3) St. Nikolaus Bock Bier – Pennsylvania Brewing – Pennsylvania
A seasonal holiday classic (often the Brewer’s Reserve doppelbock version), this pours deep amber with nutty, caramel, and roasted malt aromas. It offers full-flavored richness with toasty notes, subtle sherry-like warmth, and a crisp, medium body—perfect for winter sipping.
Brewery: Pennsylvania Brewing Company (Penn Brewery)
Address: 800 Vinial St, Pittsburgh, PA 15212, United States
Website: https://www.pennbrew.com
4) Gyrator Doppel – New Glarus Brewing Company – Wisconsin
A masterful, traditional doppelbock crafted with heritage Czech barley, double decoction, and rare Diamant hops. It bursts with toffee, wheat bread, stone fruit (fig, dark cherry), and a creamy, full mouthfeel—widely hailed as one of the finest expressions of the style.
Brewery: New Glarus Brewing Company
Address: 2400 WI-69, New Glarus, WI 53574, United States
Website: https://www.newglarusbrewing.com
5) Samuel Adams Double Bock – Samuel Adams – Ohio
An iconic, intensely malty doppelbock brewed with a massive amount of malt (half a pound per bottle). It features deep mahogany color, rich caramel sweetness, toffee, dark fruits, and subtle piney hops—velvety, warming, and a true “meal in a bottle.”
Brewery: Samuel Adams (Boston Beer Company; Cincinnati brewery reference)
Address: Various locations; primary production in Boston, MA (Cincinnati tie via local releases)
Website: https://www.samueladams.com
6) Duck-Rabbator Doppelbock – Duck-Rabbit Craft Brewery – North Carolina
A powerfully malty German-style doppelbock that’s like “a whole loaf of bread in every glass.” It pours deep reddish-brown with dominant grainy sweetness, dark caramel, molasses, and dried fruit—full-bodied, hearty, and satisfyingly rich.
Brewery: The Duck-Rabbit Craft Brewery
Address: 4519 E Wilson St, Farmville, NC 27828, United States
Website: https://duckrabbitbrewery.com
8) Bourbon Barrel-Aged Troegenator – Tröegs Independent Brewing – Pennsylvania
An elevated version of the beloved Troegenator doppelbock, aged in bourbon barrels for a silky, opulent profile. Expect nuanced layers of toasted coconut, crème brûlée, whiskey-soaked oak, vanilla, and rich malt—lush, warming, and downright luxurious.
Brewery: Tröegs Independent Brewing
Address: 200 E Hersheypark Dr, Hershey, PA 17033, United States
Website: https://troegs.com
9) Złotonator – Goldfinger Brewing Company – Illinois
A smooth, traditional doppelbock inspired by Munich monks’ “liquid bread,” with rich malty sweetness, molasses, caramel, dark fruits (cherries, plums, raisins), and an earthy mineral finish. Full-bodied and lagered for depth—often scoring exceptionally high.
Brewery: Goldfinger Brewing Company
Address: Downers Grove, IL (specific taproom address via site)
Website: https://goldfingerbrewing.com
10) Indikator – Schilling Beer Co. – New Hampshire
A deep mahogany doppelbock lagered in American oak foeders for added complexity. It layers dark fruit (plums, cherries), candied notes, caramel, and subtle oak, vanilla, and toasted coconut—balanced, elegant, and highly acclaimed.
Brewery: Schilling Beer Co.
Address: 18 Mill St, Littleton, NH 03561, United States
Website: https://schillingbeer.com
History of Doppelbock
Doppelbock, a rich and robust beer style, originated in the 17th century at the Paulaner monastery in Munich, Germany. Monks at the monastery, seeking sustenance during periods of fasting such as Lent, brewed a stronger version of their traditional bock beer to provide nourishment while adhering to religious restrictions on solid food. This hearty brew, initially called “Salvator” by the Paulaner monks, was dubbed “liquid bread” due to its high caloric content and malty sweetness. The term “doppelbock,” meaning “double bock,” reflected its increased strength, typically ranging from 7-12% alcohol by volume, and it was crafted with a focus on rich malt flavors, minimal hop bitterness, and a deep amber to dark brown hue.
By the 19th century, doppelbock gained popularity beyond the monastery, with Paulaner’s Salvator becoming a benchmark for the style. Other German breweries, such as Ayinger and Spaten, began producing their own versions, often appending the suffix “-ator” to their names (e.g., Celebrator, Optimator) in homage to Salvator. The style’s commercial success led to its refinement, emphasizing smooth, complex flavors like caramel, toffee, and dark fruit, with a full-bodied texture. Today, doppelbock remains a beloved style worldwide, with both traditional German examples and innovative interpretations from craft brewers, particularly in the United States, where brewers experiment with barrel-aging or adjuncts while preserving the style’s historical roots in monastic brewing traditions.
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