Ayinger Celebrator Doppelbock

Brewed by Brauerei Aying
Style: Doppelbock
Aying, Germany

Rerate 1/30/03: I always ask myself: What is the perfect beer? At the end of the day, it really isn't the best tasting beer or the best looking beer, it is a beer that I would not change anything about if I had my way. After trying this beer on draught in a Celebrator glass at the Refectory here in Columbus, I realize I have found the perfect beer. My first perfect score. 5/29/02 (4.8) This beer is about as close to perfect as possible for me. Unbelievably easy to drink, with a light smooth malty flavor that was not too sweet. Balanced perfectly by the alcohol ratio. Just a whisper of chocolate in the aroma and flavor as well. Very dark with a medium thick beige head that diminished rather quickly, but who cares, because it was between me and this amazing beer.

Sweet malty, nutty aroma. Deepest brown, medium cappuccino head. Incredible malt, caramel flavour, faint bitterness. An intensely complex brew, somewhat sweet. A true Dopplebock!

Dark mahogany body with red highlights and a small tan head. Some rubber on the nose. Attack is a lot of figs and dates rolled in molasses. Then a little sourness reminiscent of black cherries. Sticky body with medium carbonation. Gets a bit vinous as it warms up. No hops presence. This famous beer is considered the reference of a style that I’m not very found of. The name may come with fame, I hope that one day if become famous they’ll call me a celebrator too, so much classier than party animal.

500ml vom fass served in a special and very appealing Celebrator glass. Inviting appearance with its brownish foam over an almost black body with some rusty highlights. Nice "kirchenfenster" on the glass. Malty vapour including notes of prunes and plums. Deep and well bodied taste of chocolate and dark malts with the support of dried fruits. Smooth alcohol in the finish. Medium to full palate, but still easy to drink. A superb drink. No wonder it has been saluted among the very best beers in Germany.
I guess my score has been a bit influenced by the atmosphere when drinking this doppelbock; it was used as a dessert at the end of a delicious dinner in the biergarten of the Brauereigasthof in Aying on a dark, but warm late evening in June - under flaming moonshine. Happy and satisfied we left Aying with four six-packs of assorted bottles from the brewery (17.06.2007).

Yes, them's some tasty suds. Rather 'bocky', as it should be. The model for all bock-wannabes to aspire to become.

Pours a deep red color, pretty much black, with an off-white head. Aroma is sweet and malty with almost a dark fruity sweetness to it. This beer starts sweet and malty and ends with a chocolate bitter aftertaste. In my opinion the bitterness at the end is a little too strong.. Still a great brew though.

Bottle at Le Sous-Bock, Paris. Very dark brown with a healthy tan head. Molasses, nuts and dried fruits aroma. Flavours blend chocolate and nuts together with roasted malts. Rich and heavy. Well-balanced. Full-bodied, quite soft. Worth a celebration.

Bouteille de 330 ml achetée chez Beverage Warehouse (Winooski, VT). Arôme: Odeur de caramel foncé et de petits fruits. Apparence: La couleur est brune foncée avec une faible densité de bulle. Présence d’un mince col beige mousseux et d’une fine dentelle sur le verre. Saveur: Goût de caramel et de malt avec une pointe chocolaté. Durée moyenne de l’arrière goût. Palette: Le corps est plein avec une texture légèrement vineuse. Faible effervescence en bouche. Légère présence de caramel en arrière goût. (Rating #1227)