Spaten Optimator

Brewed by Spaten-Franziskaner-Bräu (InBev)
Style: Doppelbock
Munich, Germany

Serve in Dimpled mug, Stein, Stem glass

Dark brown/maroon color with some ruby highlights when held to the light. Also has some burnt orange and yellow highlights around the bottom and sides. An off white head with average size and retention. It settled to a decent film and left some pretty good lacing. In the aroma, I picked up a dark, earthy, almost burnt grass or gain. Never quite smelled anything like it thus far. Not particularly my favorite smell, but I got used to it. After a while it started to remind me of a more robust Dunkel. The taste also has a very dark, earthy, robust type of flavor. Reminds me fo a "Black" Lager as well as a Dunkel. I picked up subtle hints of lard with the earthy grain. A touch of sweetness even. Just a hint of alcohol at the very end. Medium mouthfeel. Left adequate amounts of flavor on the palate. Relatively smooth, but just a wee bit watery. This beer would take some getting used to for me. It’s nothing really bad. It’s just different. I do love the color of this brew, but I personally don’t think I could make a night of it. Doppelbocks just must not be my thing.

Aroma is excellent. Color is perfect. Hops bitterness is subdued. Alcohol flavor is mild, but plenty of malt on the tongue. Hints of nuttiness, a little bit of acid and roast. Sampled out of a bottle purchased at the grocery store, so probably not that closely related to the real thing as served in Germany.

Pours a clear, dark, cola red; good finger of fine off-white head. Smell is of sweet biscuity malts; not much variety, but enjoyable nonetheless. Taste is of sweet, caramel malts with a hint of black licorice. Somewhat watery and simple; not a big fan. Thin bodied with moderate carbonation, and a slightly syrupy/sticky mouthfeel.

12 oz. bottle poured to an SA lager glass with a clear, brown/mahogany hue, abundant, tan bubbles that morphed into a frothy, creamy head, and clingy bands & spots of etched-like lacing that spiraled down the interior of the glass. The aroma was some grain, light roast, caramel, rich malt and a hint of dark plum that shared the sweetness. The flavor continued the rich malt with moderate hop bitterness, well rounded alcohol warmth, a slight hint of cocoa, and a pleasant creaminess to the mouthfeel. Always a favorite dark Doppel, but please drop the green bottles so that I can cellar a few with no worries!

Pours deep red to brown with a medium cream color head, aroma of malt, caramel, honey, bread and cookies, flavor of honey, caramel and toffee, simple and nice with a medium to full body.

This beer surprised me. I bought it in a Spaten mix pack, and I wasn’t sure what to expect. Deep brown body with a thin tan head that leaves some spotty lacing. Nice, sweet aroma of carmel, brown sugar and maybe a touch of smoke. Full mouthfeel, slick and smooth. The flavor just jumps out. Brown sugar, dark fruits, and just a bite of smoke at the end. Wow! I picked up on the alcohol content, but it’s only warming, not overpowering. Very tasty brew.

Rich Malty Sweetness with a Warmth provided by the alcohol without burning. The color is spot on for its style. The finish leaves you wanting another sip leaving behind the robust malt flavor without being overbearing. One of my all-time favorites!

On tap at Fox and Hound. Aromas of chocolate, dark fruits, bready malts, and spices. Flavor is a lot like the aroma with good amount of chocolate with bready malt and spices. Pretty solid beer.