Doppio Malto Beer: Production and Characteristics - Complete Guide

If you are a beer enthusiast, you have probably heard of "doppio malto" beer. This term evokes images of intense flavors and unique body, but what does it really mean?

No, the term "doppio malto" does not mean the beer was made with double the malt compared to others. In reality, it is an Italian regulatory term referring to a specific aspect of the production process, related more to the presence of sugars and alcohol content than to the malt itself.

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What Really is Doppio Malto Beer?

The Italian Regulatory Definition

According to Italian law (Legislative Decree 504/1995), doppio malto beer is defined as:

• Minimum Plato degree: 14.5 degrees Plato
• Minimum alcohol content: 3.5% vol.
• Tax category: classification for taxation

The Plato Degree measures the concentration of sugars in the wort before fermentation. The higher the Plato, the more sugars available for fermentation, the higher the potential alcohol, and the more body in the final beer.

Why "Doppio Malto" is Misleading

• It does not mean double the amount of malt
• It is not a beer style (like IPA, Stout, Pilsner)
• And only an Italian tax category
• Indicates only the minimum Plato degree

Examples of doppio malto beers: American IPA (15-18 Plato), Belgian Tripel (18-20 Plato), Imperial Stout (20-25 Plato), Barley Wine (22-28 Plato), German Bock (16-18 Plato), Belgian Saison (15-17 Plato). Completely different styles all falling under the same category!

How to Produce a Craft Doppio Malto Beer

1. Selection of Raw Materials

Base malt Pale Ale or Pilsner (80-90% of the grist) enriched with specialty malts like Caramel, Munich, Chocolate (10-20%). The yeast must tolerate higher alcohol levels. The water must have a mineral profile suitable for the style.

2. Mashing

The crushed malts are mixed with hot water at 65-68 degrees for 60-90 minutes. Enzymes convert starches into fermentable sugars. More malt results in higher density, more alcohol, and more body. This step determines the rich biscuit and caramel flavor typical of craft doppio malto beers.

3. Boiling

Duration 60-90 minutes at 100 degrees. Hops are added at different times for bitterness and aroma. In doppio malto, the bitterness is often balanced by the sweetness of the malt.

4. Fermentation

Ale at 18-22 degrees for 5-10 days (fruity and estery profile). Lager at 8-12 degrees for 10-21 days (clean and malty profile).

5. Maturation and Bottling

From 2 to 8 weeks or more for strong styles. Craft beers are often bottle-conditioned for natural carbonation, unfiltered to preserve aromas and probiotics.

The Variety of Double Malt Styles

German Bock

Origin Munich, Bavaria. Amber-brown color, ABV 6-7%, Plato 16-18. Malty, sweet, caramel, toasted bread profile. Variants: Maibock (light, spring), Doppelbock (dark, strong, 7-10% ABV), Eisbock (concentrated by freezing, 9-14% ABV).

Belgian Dubbel

Origin Belgian Trappist abbeys. Brown-copper color, ABV 6-8%, Plato 15-18. Malt, caramel, dried fruit, spices, yeast profile. Famous examples: Westmalle Dubbel, Chimay Rouge, La Trappe Dubbel.

IPA (India Pale Ale)

Golden-amber color, ABV 5.5-7.5%, Plato 15-18. Hoppy, bitter, citrus, resin, tropical profile. Many IPA and APA also meet double malt parameters, yet they can be very clear, hazy, very bitter, and fruity.

Belgian Tripel

Light golden color, ABV 7.5-9.5%, Plato 18-20. Fruity, spicy, warm alcohol, dry profile.

Imperial Stout

Opaque black color, ABV 8-12%+, Plato 20-25. Coffee, chocolate, roasted, dried fruit, alcohol profile. Often aged in bourbon or whiskey barrels.

Barley Wine

Amber-brown color, ABV 8-12%, Plato 22-28. Malt, caramel, fruit, warm alcohol profile.

The Best Double Malt Beers to Buy on Maltese

On Maltese you will find a curated selection of the best artisanal double malt beers, with complete technical sheets and shipping within 24-48h throughout Italy:

• Porcini Imperial Stout - artisanal Imperial Stout with porcini mushrooms, black and complex. Notes of coffee, chocolate, and mushrooms. One of the most original double malts in the catalog
• How Fortunate The Man With None - characterful Imperial Stout, intense and enveloping. Perfect for contemplation or with blue cheeses
• Lusty Cathy - seductive and complex Imperial Stout, with notes of dark chocolate and dried fruit
• Papanero - dark and enveloping Stout, with a strong and persistent character
• Spaghetti Western - double malt beer with Italian personality, bitter and structured
• Eisweizenbock - Wheat Eisbock, concentrated and complex. A rarity not to be missed

Explore the entire selection of double malt beers on Maltese - buy online with 24-48h shipping

Double Malt: Sensory Characteristics and Pairings

Those looking for double malt beer usually think of an amber beer, often sweet, with a full body and strong taste. In reality, it is the individual ingredients chosen by the brewers that define color, aromatic bouquet, and flavors.

Typical aromatic profile: honey, caramel, dried fruit (walnuts, hazelnuts, almonds), fruit (plums, raisins, figs), spices (cloves, nutmeg), toasted bread, biscuit.

Taste profile: medium-full to full body, moderate-high sweetness, low-moderate bitterness, noticeable but integrated alcohol, long and enveloping finish.

Food Pairings

• Red meats - grilled steak, spiced roast, braised meat, game. The full body and malty sweetness balance the richness of the meat
• Aged cheeses - 36-month Parmigiano, aged Pecorino, spicy Gorgonzola, Stilton, aged Cheddar
• Pizza and savory dishes - four cheese pizza, pizza with nduja, Genoese focaccia, bread and cured meats
• Dessert - dark chocolate, spiced cakes, tiramisu, caramel panna cotta. Barley Wine, Baltic Porter, and Imperial Stout are perfect with sweets

How to Taste a Double Malt Beer

• Temperature: light beers (Tripel, Saison) at 6-8 degrees, amber beers (Bock, Dubbel) at 8-10 degrees, dark beers (Imperial Stout, Barley Wine) at 10-14 degrees
• Glass: mug for Bock, Belgian glass for Dubbel/Tripel, tulip glass for IPA, snifter for Imperial Stout and Barley Wine
• Technique: observe color and foam, smell malt and hop aromas, take small sips letting it warm in your mouth, evaluate body, balance, and finish

Conclusion: A World of Flavors to Explore

Double malt beer is always a winning choice for those who love to discover intense and complex flavors. Whether you prefer a malty and sweet Bock, a fruity and dry Tripel, a hoppy and bitter IPA, or a toasted and complex Imperial Stout, there is a perfect double malt beer for every palate.

Discover the full selection on Maltese and order now with 24-48h shipping throughout Italy. Go to double malt beers