Local Brewpub's Doppelbock Wins Gold Medal in World Beer Cup Competition

Article by Becky Fillinger, Photos courtesy of Fretless Marketing LLC

Jamie RobinsonSix Minnesota breweries took home medals from the recently concluded World Beer Cup, the largest and most prestigious beer competition in the world. The World Beer Cup is held annually during the Craft Brewers Conference, and with over 9000 entries from over 2000 breweries worldwide, to have six winners from Minnesota is very impressive. Northbound Smokehouse & Brewpub took the Gold Medal for their Doppelbock in the German-Style Doppelbock or Eisbock category. We spoke with Northbound's Owner and Brewer, Jamie Robinson, about what it meant to win the Gold Medal and what sets his Doppelbock apart from the rest.

Q:  Congratulations on winning the gold medal for your Doppelbock! Please tell us what it felt like to be recognized as one of the best among so many talented brewers. 

A:  It’s a great honor to have won a World Beer Cup gold medal for our Doppelbock. We’re particularly proud of winning this category because not only is this competition the most competitive in the world, but we likely competed against German breweries that have been perfecting this style over a few hundred years.

Q:  Please tell us more about the Doppelbock – what inspired its creation and what do you believe sets it apart from other beers? 

A:  Doppelbock is one of our favorite styles. It’s a dark, rich, and strong lager. It’s 8.8% ABV. A sipper for sure. We decided to brew it for the first time in 2013. We’ve made adjustments to the recipe and process every year since to improve it so that it could compete with the best versions of the style.

Q:  Taste is subjective, but winning a competition suggests broad appeal. What do you think resonated with the judges and drinkers about your beer?

A:  While we don’t immediately see the judges’ feedback, we believe the adjustments to the recipe over the years is what resonated with them. A couple of years ago we changed the recipe to use premium Weyermann Barke malt. This made a noticeable difference in the richness and body of the beer that Doppelbocks are known for, and resulted in a more authentic version than past batches.

Q:  When we visit Northbound Smokehouse & Brewpub, what food should we order to complement the Doppelbock? 

A:  Well, it will be several months before it will be available at our brewpub again. Doppelbock is one of our winter seasonal beers. It’s released in December and normally is gone by mid-March. I believe Doppelbock is best on its own, but it pairs well with much of our menu. Try it with the wild rice burger, or porketta sandwich.

Q:  We’ll wait patiently and try your other fabulous brews and food items in the meantime. How may we follow your news? 

A:  We post on Facebook and Instagram almost daily.

Inviting patio at Northbound Smokehouse & Brewpub, 2716 E 38th Street