Imperial or Double IPA is one of the newest beer styles and a favorite among hop lovers. These beers were first recognized officially at the 2003 Great American Beer Festival. Double IPAs are, of course, very big beers with intense hop character. They have IBUs ranging from around 65 to 100 (or more) and are stronger in alcohol (averaging 8–10.5% abv) as well, with fruity esters and at least some malt character. Similar to barley wines in several respects, they are nonetheless now considered a unique style and, unlike their older cousin, should have less vinous or caramel present and no discernable diacetyl. But their main distinction is their more pronounced hopping, intense but never harsh, balanced by complex alcohol flavors.

Doppelbocks, or double bocks, are stronger versions of bocks. They are usually not twice as strong, more often being around 7.5% abv or higher. The Pauline monks of Munich made the first example of the style around 1780. By the Napoleonic era, the brewery had become secular, and Brewmaster Franz Xaver Zacherl began selling his strongest beer around Easter each year, calling it “savior,” which in German is “Salvator.” Other breweries began adopting the name, and it was in danger of becoming generic when, in 1894, trademark law made Paulaner the only brewer legally allowed use the name. As a result, countless other doppelbocks were renamed but continued using the suffix “-ator,” possibly to denote strength but more likely to continue associating themselves with Salvator.

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I love the DK Eyewitness Travel Guide series, and this book by that publisher has the same rich, easy-to-read format. The Eyewitness Companions series covers an eclectic range of topics not necessarily related to travel: from French cheese to classical music, from scuba diving to astrology. The latest in the series is Beer, edited by Michael Jackson. Nine other beer writers contributed to this book, which is divided into four sections: brewing, beer styles, enjoying beer and (amounting to almost three-quarters of the book) a compilation of the best beers of...

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