Spaten Optimator

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

Poured from a bottle. Aroma is decent. Very dark amber in color. Head is somewhat thick, diminishes sooner rather than later. I have to admit, I was expecting something a little more carbonated on the palate. It seemed somewhat flat, but the flavor was decent. Has a nice kick.

Among my favorite doppels. If it is huge mouthfeel and malty sweetness that you are searching for, then you have found your brew.

Spaten Optimator is simply my favorite beer in the world. I was first referred to it by a friend in South Bend, Indiana since I had described what type of beer that I like and he thought that I might like this one. Optimator, to me, is a "heavy" beer (especially the bottled version) meaning that it is alcoholic and I personally can only drink two of them in an evening. The appearance is excellent. An amber "body" with a lighter orange, yellowish head. The smell is chocolatey and even is a bit like a mocha. Taste is even more like a mocha with a very dry middle taste but then a very pleasing smooth after taste. "Mouthfeel" which is something that I had not even thought of before is very good as Optimator is very smooth. To me, it is more like a meal in and of itself so if you are eating while drinking this then you will get very full very fast. Again, it is my favorite beer of all time. I drank the draft version at Chef Paul’s Bavarian House in Lisle, Illinois while visiting with family there and I actually prefer the draft to the bottle since it is a bit lighter. I cannot say enough good things about Optimator.

Poured from bottle. Poured a deep amber color with a nice head that diminished somewhat. The taste was dominated by malt flavors with a hint of fruit (apple?) making an appearance. Nice mouthfeel and little alcohol presence.

Deep coffe and buttery toffee aroma. Thick head that lingers and leaves some lace. Dark brown with a little burnt ochre color...not quite red but reddish hue. Heavy malt flavor with a strong warmth. Spicy on the tip of the tongue. Well balanced. Not over sweet like some dopplebocks. Medium bodied. A delightful beer.

Aug 2005 - I thought this was a good, but not great dopplebock. The green bottle made me nervous, but no skunk was there. Poured deep reddish color with nice head and lacing that clung to the glass throughout my drinking endeavor. Mouthfeel was slightly carbonated, but smooth. Taste was really good, but not as full, rich or complex as Celebrator or Maximator...but not sickly sweet as some of the "low end" dopples are. Well done.

One of my first dark beers. Very impressed! Great taste and a beautiful color. I’ll def be having this again. Soon.

Bottle - Amber appearance with a slight red tint. Very sweet caramel flavor with a hint of cherry and spice. Very full bodied and smooth. Good from start to finish. did not detect and type of bitterness in this beer. This is one that stays in my stock when I can find it around here. VERY enjoyable beer.