Autumnal Fire

For 25 years, Middleton, Wisconsin’s Capital Brewery has supplied an increasingly large following with a solid line up of fine ales and lagers. Autumnal Fire is a malty, chewy, distinctly American take on the classic doppelbock, employing a dose of honey to lend the brew a faint tartness and boost the alcohol (7.8% ABV). Shot through with hints of toasted almonds and dark rum, the nose is dominated by malty notes of warm bread and caramelized brown sugar with just the faintest whiff of alcohol drifting over it all. The malt struck Rick as “rich and caramelly. . . classic” and he felt the overall aroma epitomized doppelbock. Lee zeroed in more on the bready malt notes, proclaiming them “a pure expression of malt,” and he lauded the aroma for the masterful balance between “higher alcohol kick and sweet, luscious malt.” A bit light colored for a doppelbock, this is a crystal clear, deep copper brew, capped by a mousse-like, off-white head that collapses a bit quickly. Sprinkled with hints of toffee and vanilla, the flavor is decidedly malt-centric. Pete noted the “intensely toasty, layered Munich malt” driving the flavor and managed to tease out savory notes of raisins and plums. Highly drinkable for a beer of its not inconsequential muscle, Autumnal Fire is the ideal brew for an evening by the fire with your favorite book.