Each year Bend’s Silver Moon Brewing releases their holiday seasonal, Elf Brew, and each year changes up the recipe. When it was first released it was a lavender-infused winter ale; last year was a Scottish-style ale. This year’s version is a Doppelsticke Altbier, weighing in at 8.8% alcohol by volume and 60 IBUs.

And I’ve got the details on the beer from the brewery:

Dark red brown colored with a small tan frothy head. Intense aroma of dark fruits, sherry with a hint of rum and raisins, vanilla and a strong cookie note. Sweet taste with a light bitter finish. Thick and oily texture with low carbonation and a very smooth mouthfeel a light warmth and the end. Full complex flavor, that is well balanced and harmonic, fruity, malty and spicy. Notes of dark fruits, vanilla, cookies and caramel as well as a peppery touch in finish. Leaves a medium bitter dry aftertaste with a light fruity touch.

At approximately 8.8% alcohol by volume, Doppelsticke is a super-strong (“double”) Alt-style ale. It surpasses in strength even the approximately 7% alcohol by volume Doppelbock, Bavaria’s “double” strong lager. Doppelsticke is the creation of the Düsseldorf Altbier brewpub Uerige, but this recipe is Justin Hyser’s.

Justin has been volunteering at Silver Moon Brewing since Alex started working here, bottling, cellaring and brewing. He is a well accomplished and award wining home brewer that would give any pro brewer a run for their money. We felt it was only right to allow him to make whatever creation he so choose for this year.

I haven’t yet had a chance to try this version but I’m definitely looking forward to it—I loves me some Altbier, and a Doppelsticke to boot!