Ayinger Celebrator Doppelbock

Brewed by Brauerei Aying
Style: Doppelbock
Aying, Germany

Delicious. While this beer has a higher alcohol content, I could not tell it until a few moments after finishing the second sip. It is SO smooth. Very delicious taste and smell. Everyone, even those who aren’t particularly fond of dark beers, should definitely give this one a shot.

It’s easy to taste why this beer is so acclaimed. Perfectly balanced, velvety smooth, you wouldn’t guess the high alcohol content by taste. Lovely appearance, too--evidently this its what’s in all the mugs in every picture of Oktoberfest I’ve ever seen.

This beer tasted like tootsie rolls I thought. You know, the kind you get at church activities? What a great combination, Church and beer. I liked this beer.

This has to be THE best doppel on the market; I have to still evaluate the taste of this complex brew. From chocolate to fig to licorice, just about anything is imaginable on the palate! Excellent beer! (many thanx to THE BEER BARON for the graduation present!)

WOW! Chocolate, Coffee, Fruit, Malt....etc, etc. A very nice beer deserving all kinds of good adjectives

Pours to a deep black color with the vaguest tints of reddish brown. Light signs of carbonation are barely detectable, while an impressive light brown foam forms. Head retention is pretty weak. The aroma is slightly oily, with a deep malt fruitiness suggesting prunes, raisins and sultanas, with burnt caramel and a strong alcohol presence. The medium to full bodied palate , is smooth, dense and thick leaving a little chewiness, while there are very light signs of carbonation. The palate is richly flavorful and complex, starting out with a predominant malt of caramel and a wonderful dark fruitiness pretty much as I described in the aroma and some almond nuttiness. This is countered turning to a very well balanced burnt toasty dryness mid palate and a noticeable hop bitterness towards the end. The long lingering, dry aftertaste shows a stronger hop character as well as a significant alcohol warmth, while the sweeter fruitiness slowly returns. The longer you sip this beer the sweeter it seems to get, although not overly so as one reviewer I highly respect suggested. I also get something of a winey character as the beer warms. This is a great full flavored and hearty brew, perfect for a late winter night. A must try.

7/7/01 The aroma is almost overpowering, sweet, vinous, chocolaty. The taste does not disappoint, as powerful as any lager can be, but what’s really amazing is how smooth it goes down, how one can just toss off a glass as easily as a Bud (though it demands slow, contemplative savoring). One of the world’s best; an ex-girlfriend’s favorite for many years, I just had my first one in some time and am glad that the good old days aren’t gone yet.

3/29/02 One of the few beers I’ve re-sampled lately that’s held up over the last year. Might almost be TOO rich and smooth; it’s like drinking candy, not alcohol. I just wish the brewer’s other fine products were more tasted and appreciated.

This is a really great one. It took me quite some time to get my hands on one, but finally found it in a beer pub in Washington DC, when I was over there for a conference. A nice surprise and again one of the best beers I’ve ever had.