Tree Brewing Captivator Doppelbock

Kelowna, BC
$5-7 for 650ml bottle  (8% abv)
www.treebeer.com

In these volatile days of spring, when we’re deep into April showers in lieu of May flowers, I’m searching for a bridge beer. One with a little body and depth to warm my wind-nipped bones, but not a heavy, tipple by the fire brew. This special seasonal release Captivator Doppelbock from Kelowna-based Tree Brewing fit the bill perfectly. Plus, with Easter around the corner, the timing couldn’t be better. What’s that? Peter Rabbit and beer? (It’s not even a ‘hoppy’ beer. Get it?)

Enough with the buns, I mean puns. Let me explain. Doppelbocks are a doubled up Bock – a potent monastic beer from the late 18th century.  They are said to contain enough malty richness that they can substitute for a meal. The devout monks engaged in periodic bouts of fasting, with Lent (in the weeks leading up to Easter) being the longest of these fasts. The monks believed that liquids not only cleansed the body but also the soul, so they made plenty of liquid from their grain and got their nutrients from drinking it. This is part of the reason why Dopplebocks are oft referred to as ‘liquid bread’.

The other reason for the liquid bread name is that there are persistent and dominant bread aromas and flavours, along with caramel, ample roasted malt, coffee bean, golden raisin and spiced rum, biscuit and a bitter hazelnut finish. Silky on the palate, with a subtle and warming nudge of alcohol on the back. Dark reddish in hue, Captivator is unpasteurized and free of preservatives. I g rilled up some Galloping Goose Sausages, froze off my bunny tail in the spring windstorm, and this was a perfect solution to handle both.

Now celebrating fifteen years, Tree Brewing has marked this milestone year with the release of their custom designed bottles. Introduced into the market in mid-February, the new 650ml bottle features an embossed “Tree Brewing Co.” logo, and is fully recyclable and reusable.

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Tree Brewing Captivator Doppelbock

Dopplebocks are oft referred to as ‘liquid bread’, since they have enough stuffing to sub for a meal. The other reason for the liquid bread name is that there are persistent and dominant bread aromas and flavours, along with caramel, ample roasted malt, coffee bean, golden raisin and spiced rum, biscuit and a bitter hazelnut finish. Silky on the palate, with a subtle and warming nudge of alcohol on the back. Dark reddish in hue, Captivator is unpasteurized and free of preservatives. I grilled up some Galloping Goose Sausages, froze myself in the spring windstorm, and this was a perfect solution to handle both.