Way back in early February, I got a nifty e-mail from Boston Beer Company, makers of the Samuel Adams line of beers. It announced the release of a series of "Imperial" beers, strong and heart brews with amped up alcohol content, flavor, and aroma. And of course, what really excited me was the announcement of an "Imperial Double Bock". Whoa!

Double Bocks, of course, are this beer enthusiast's favorite style of beer. And Sam Adams has been making am mighty fine one for years. But an Imperial Double Bock? What the heck is that? Boston Beer cites an alcohol content of 9.5% by volume here, and that's a lot. But to see just how much it really is, let's talk bock, shall we?

Bock beer is a German style of strong lager that, whatever the origins of its name, is invariably tied to goats. Mostly that's because bock is German for goat. And as goats have a kick, so does Bock. A standard bock beer will usually run in the range of 6% to 7% alcohol by volume. That's a bit stronger than your average ale or lager, which usually runs about 5% by volume.

Still, the Germans want something stronger, and so they have their double bock. Double bock is darker and maltier than Bock, and stronger too. It usually runs in the 7% to 8% range, and double bocks are usually released in January and February as the perfect antidote to bitter cold winter evenings. Sam Adams version usually runs in the 8% range, actually.

Still, the Germans want more. And so they have Eisbock. Eisbock is double bock that is partially frozen, and then concentrated by having the ice removed. One of the two classic examples of the style, Kulmbacher Reichelbrau Eisbock, has an alcohol content of 9.2%, not so far from that of Sam Adams Imperial Double Bock.

Boston Beer does not say whether or not they freeze their Imperial Double Bock, though I doubt it. But you never know. They do say that they use a full half pound (is that a contradiction in terms) of malt per bottle. (This beer will be sold on draft, too, as Jim Koch says in a really cool video on the Sam Adams website). They also don't sparge the wort, a process whereby the malt in the lauter tun is sprayed with water to extract as many fermentable sugars as possible. This can also serve to dilute the wort, however.

Enough talk, you say! How does the beer taste? Let's find out.

Samuel Adams Imperial Series Double Bock pours to an absolutely beautiful deep coppery color with a somewhat thin (and rather ephemeral) head formation and a huge nutty-caramelly malt nose. The palate is big, smooth, rich and even syrupy-an absolute malt lover's delight. It's reminiscent of fresh bread, toasted nuts, and laced with a light hint of chocolate.

Not just reminiscent, though. Really, this beer is loaded with delightful dark nutty malt flavors. Maybe even overloaded. Caramel is here too, and although Boston Beer doesn't cite the use of Munich malt, I'm getting a wonderful melanoidin rush. Perhaps even a touch of fruity raisin. Dare I say this reminds me of a glass of German Eisbock beer?

In the finish there's a big alcohol burn and a touch of grassy hops. They balance out all that malty sweetness pretty darned nicely, but still, this is a rich brew indeed, one best suited for gentle sipping.

Yeah, this reminds me a lot or Reichelbrau. This is an absolutely fantastic beer, and the good news, my friends, is that it will be around year-round. The bad news, of course, is that is more expensive than the traditional Sam Adams Double Bock, which was always a steal at about seven bucks a six-pack. This newer, stronger version will set you back about ten bucks for just four bottles. I can live with that, though, because I like this beer even better, and I'm happy I can get it year round.

And did I mention it should age nicely too?