Spaten Optimator

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

Bottle at Concordia Ale House. Dark brown (although bad lighting), thin beige head. Notes of nuts, bread, dark fruit, malts, rust. Flavorful and roasty, fairly sweet. Enjoyable crisp finish. It was what I hope for in a bock.

12oz. bottle from Trinity Liquors in Spring Hill, FL. Pours a clear dark red-brown with a small tan head. Aroma is malty, mollasses, maybe some raisins..The smell is interesting and really hard to put my finger on. Flavor is more mollasses, maybe some raw honey, raisins...again, weird, cant really figure it all out. Lighter mouthfeel, no aftertaste. This one is really odd...but pretty good and very drinkable.

Bottle. Poured a dark brown with a tan head. Aroma of malt and carmel. tastes of roasted malt and carmel. Smooth on the palate with a sweet finish.

The quest continues for cheap strong beer from Europe. Smell is sweet malt, a bit nutty, with a suggestion of slight tartness, like decaying fruit, and a bit of cola. Taste is clean, toasty, nutty, slightly sweet, with some fresh bread and caramel. Light medium body, a bit of bitterness in the aftertaste. Dopplebocks are usually quite handsome with their deep red brown color, and this one fits the type. Not much head though, and what there was faded quickly. Lacks richness and depth of flavor, particularly in the finish. Not bad flavors, but they seem a bit thin.

Nice dark brown with reasonable head. Malty flavor with a touch of sweetness.

Very good dopplebock, and at a decent price. This is not the best dopplebock out there, IMHO, but there is nothing about this beer I do not like. It’s a big mouthfull of malty goodness with just enough hop to balance it out. The color and aroma is fantastic.

I love this beer. Its full of flavor and body. It does come a bit heavy after a couple glasses, but the taste really doesn’t fade.

Bottle. Great malty, spicy, well balanced by sweet and robust carbonation. nice doppel example, terrific standard.