Alec’s Doppelbock

Doppelbock is one of my favorite styles, but it is a tough beer to make. You have to pay total attention to many things in order to get it right. Malt is the showcase, so hops are a lesser concern. Low- to mid-20s on the IBUs will balance the sweetness. Perle and Northern Brewer are good choices. Avoid hops that leave a footprint, like Chinook or Centennial or Cascade.

- Brewer Alec Mull has been with Kalamazoo Brewing Company in Michigan since 1999. He was promoted to head brewer in

Alex Drobshoff’s Traditional Bock

One of the winners of Boston Brewing Company's LongShot contest.

Annihilator Doppelbock

One humorous tale of bock tells of a man in old Germany brewing an exceptionally strong beer that was consumed during the spring and summer. A friend came over to sample the brew and got so drunk that he fell on his way out the door. Flat on his face, in fact. Too embarrassed to relate the truth to the gentlemen at the local pub, he blamed his condition on a kick from a goat. This beer will make you feel the same. A variety of caramel and roasted grains will lend great depth and interest

Aventinus Weizenbock

Weizenbock is a strong, wheat-based Bock Lager.

Dan’s Doppelbock

The flavor of an excellent doppelbock can be described as clean maltiness. The beer should be quite rich, almost bready. The malt should be dominant. The alcohol character should not be off-putting; neither should there be any astringency in the beer. In a doppelbock, there is a fine line between getting full flavor, maltiness and drinkability, or missing it altogether.

- Brewer Dan Carey is well-known in the microbrewery world. He is the co-owner and brewmaster for the New Glarus