Spaten Optimator

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

Serve in Dimpled mug, Stein, Stem glass

12 oz bottle. Poured a good looking clear red brown with a huge frothy light beige head. Aroma of vinegar, dark fruit, nuts and malts. Thinner body with strong carbonation. Flavor was nothing spectacular and was rather bland with some skunky notes over stale malts. Im still shocked that I found a ber at the parents house that I could actually rate.

1 pt. 9 oz. bottle. This has become a favorite of mine--buy a bottle whenever I buy a 6- or 12-pack of something else. High in alcohol content and it sometimes seeps through the big bold chewy flavors of the rich malt. My favorite German Doppelbock-sorry, but Celebrator is too sweet for me.

Pours a very dark brown-amber, with a quickly diminishing head. No lacing. Aroma is of pit fruits and chocolate. Heavy malt profile, slightly sweet raisin, a bit of yeast, and some slight alcohol. Palate is a bit thin, but probably consistent with the style. Overall a very drinkable Doppelbock.

Dark cherry color, compact vanilla white head. Aromas of rich milk chocolate, honey, cream, and carmel. Doughy malt character, floral freshness. Some molasses, nuts, and raisin. Flavor is mild toasted malt, some fruit and nuts, and has enough hops to put it not to far on the sweet side. Molasses, coffee, raisin. Palate is very smooth textured, and has little carb, which I appreciate.

Pours a deep mahogany red with a creamy tan head mostly dissapating. Nose is chocolate, molasses and malt. Very creamy on the palate. Malt dominates flavor with subtones of molasses and black cherries. Finish is slightly sweet with a hint of hops. This doppelbock has a full bodied flavor that will stand up to most any meal, including brats, burgers or gyros. A true German original, often imitated, but never duplicated.

Pours a dark red-brown with minimal head. Sweet caramel aroma, can really smell the malt. Flavors are mostly roasted malt, but I tasted nut, coffee, and chocolate. Almost like a laid-back porter. I found the alcohol to be pretty assertive, but necessarily in a bad way. Clean on the palate if a bit watery, with a little sourness at the end. Good balance, an enjoyable beer.

9/24 on draft at DC’s Bar & Grill, Renton, Wa. Aroma bready, super malty, with a slightly sour alcoholic background. Appearance is clear brown with almost no head. Flavor is sweet/sour malt forward with light roast and faint alcohol. Mouthfeel is medium-full bodied with moderate warmth and low roasty bittering. Overall, full flavored and easy drinking for such an alcoholic brew.

bottle. has an aroma of lemon and wheat. pours a golden brown with a thin tan head. has a sweet flavor of dark chocolate and roasted carmel. very good.