The origins of Samuel Adams Double Bock date back to 1988, when Jim Koch, Brewer and Founder of Boston Beer, released it as the first seasonal beer in the Sam Adams portfolio.. Although the Samuel Adams seasonal portfolio has changed a lot over the years and Double Bock is no longer a part of it, the beer did help usher in the concept of seasonal beers to the broader market during a time when no one else in the craft beer industry was doing so. In the years since our first seasonal was released, our seasonal offerings now come to include such favorites as Octoberfest, Cold Snap and Summer Ale.  

Double Bock brought home some hardware over the years, earning 12 medals, including 7 gold medals, at the Great American Beer Festival. In recent years, it has become a beer we brew very rarely, however, this year we wanted to help celebrate Cincinnati’s Bockfest with the release of our own Cincinnati twist on Double Bock.

Chris Siegman, our Head Brewer, was able to secure some bourbon barrels from New Riff Distillery, our neighbor across the river. Chris brewed up Double Bock, and then place it in these bourbon barrels to age for 10 months.  The bourbon barrels have helped impart an oak and rich malt character, as well as adding a boozy kick to a beer that is already a powerhouse. Traditionally, Doppelbock was a style of beer that monks would drink during their Lenten fast to provide much needed calories and nutrition.  As we look towards Spring, this decadent beer marks the perfect way to usher in warmer weather.

Over the past year, Chris has been able to really develop our barrel aging program here at the Cincinnati taproom. While the space within the confines of the Taproom is limited, Chris can store barrel aged beers in a cellar at the main production brewery across the street.. Be on the lookout for new beers being released later this year! We are excited for what is on the horizon.