Taster pour at the brewery. Appearance is cloudy, light brown/dark orange, with some funky white yeast floaties (barman poured the bottom of one bottle and top of another to finish the pour so may explain). Light sparkle at the edges of the glass, thin ring of off-white head. Aroma is strong, rich pumpernickel bread, molasses--very appealing smelling--can almost smell the caraway seeds. Taste is pumpernickel/rye--not quite as strong as the aroma--with mildly tart fruit (this added wrinkle diminishes it slightly as the straight pumpernickel is so good) serving as a foil. Palate is medium bodied with thick, smooth texture, soft-to-average carbonation and finish as taste with not really a spicy quality but a semblance of caraway seed. Overall, pretty straightforward but what it is is really strong and exceptionally delicious.

On tap at Smuttynose - Hayseed, pours a cloudy dark amber brown with a small beige head. Aroma brings out dark fruits, toasted nuts, some caramel and bready malt. Flavour is bold, with rich caramel, bready malt and a touch of brown sugar. Loaded with caramel, with lots of brown sugar and some alcohol. Complex and well-designed. Excellent.

12 ounce bottle. Copper red pour topped by a small creamy tan head. Mild caramel malt nose. Hints of baked bread and spice. Rich, toffeeish malty flavor. Silky mouthfeel. Notes of vanilla, Demerara sugar and herbal hops. Wonderful balance and complexity. Very faithful to the Bavarian Doppelbock style. Outstanding!