Spaten Optimator - Spaten-Franziskaner-Bräu

BlackBeerDown

Arkansas

4/5  rDev +2.6%

10-25-2012 02:16:07 | More by BlackBeerDown

Riik3

Georgia

4/5  rDev +2.6%

06-18-2013 22:01:59 | More by Riik3

bark

Sweden

3.56/5  rDev -8.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

The colour is brown (25 EBC), the liquid clear. The finger thick head is compact and off-white, it sinks into a thin lid leaving very little lacing.

The smell is a bit weak. Sweet malts, caramel and some flowery notes. Hints of old oak wood and smooth alcohol.

The taste is malty and smooth, the alcohol is well hidden. Tree/oak-flavours, earthy notes of mature whisky/brandy. Semi-sweet notes of caramel and brown sugar. Full bodied flavours. The aftertaste brings some more earthy notes as well as minerals and a touch of molasses. The finish is smooth with fine caramel flavours.

The carbonation is medium strong; the bubbles are mid-sized. The liquid is a bit light and somewhat sticky.

Not bad at all, but it might lack some complexity that I want in a Doppelbock.

Serving type: bottle

06-16-2013 19:00:01 | More by bark

MaddDogg84

Texas

4.5/5  rDev +15.4%

06-15-2013 23:15:08 | More by MaddDogg84

jaxon53

Connecticut

3.75/5  rDev -3.8%

06-15-2013 22:58:38 | More by jaxon53

IchLiebeBier

Virginia

4/5  rDev +2.6%

06-15-2013 22:41:37 | More by IchLiebeBier

sooner961

Oklahoma

3.5/5  rDev -10.3%

06-15-2013 05:44:14 | More by sooner961

Desmodoc

Georgia

3.75/5  rDev -3.8%

06-14-2013 14:57:20 | More by Desmodoc

LordTorgamus

Pennsylvania

4.75/5  rDev +21.8%

06-14-2013 05:24:39 | More by LordTorgamus

bh123

California

3.5/5  rDev -10.3%

06-14-2013 04:13:57 | More by bh123

MPSTARR

Florida

3.5/5  rDev -10.3%

06-13-2013 01:44:17 | More by MPSTARR

barczar

Kentucky

3.81/5  rDev -2.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

Pours a deep brown color, but is a brilliant ruby when held to the light. The quarter inch khaki foam head dissipates fairly quickly, leaving little lacing.

Nutty, toffee-like toasted notes and roast malt fruitiness begin the aroma. Light floral hops and a bit of cola add complexity.

Fruity undertones of dark berries give way to toffee nuttiness mid palate, becoming toasted and decidedly bready at the finish. There's a moderate amount of caramel malt sweetness, but the herbal hop notes dry things out a bit.

Body is moderate to a touch full, with moderate carbonation and slight alcohol warmth.

Melanoidin notes open as it warms. The fruitiness is a touch overpowering regarding the malt profile. Wish the flavor matched the nose more exactly.

Serving type: bottle

06-12-2013 18:10:10 | More by barczar

Brew33

Ohio

4/5  rDev +2.6%

06-12-2013 16:30:43 | More by Brew33

ckollias

Maryland

4/5  rDev +2.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Enjoyed this 12oz bottle out of a Belgian tulip glass.

A: Pours a dark amber hue with and off-white head that quickly dissipates into a wispy lace leaving a partial trail.

S: Malty sweet aroma with caramel background.

T: Similar to the smell the sweet malty flavor hits your palate at first followed by some caramel notes.

M: Medium-heavy body and medium carbonation.

O: Solid doppelbock – surprising light for a 7.2% abv brew.

Serving type: bottle

06-10-2013 02:02:46 | More by ckollias

JF1917

Georgia

4/5  rDev +2.6%

06-09-2013 02:32:45 | More by JF1917

Wedcat

California

4/5  rDev +2.6%

06-09-2013 01:43:40 | More by Wedcat

shamrok

Germany

4.5/5  rDev +15.4%

06-09-2013 00:43:10 | More by shamrok

MikeDre

California

4/5  rDev +2.6%

06-07-2013 23:26:24 | More by MikeDre

DangYankee

Texas

4.5/5  rDev +15.4%

06-07-2013 23:01:06 | More by DangYankee

DeutschesBier

Maryland

3.75/5  rDev -3.8%

06-07-2013 19:46:30 | More by DeutschesBier

coolandy007

Nevada

3.75/5  rDev -3.8%

06-07-2013 00:42:29 | More by coolandy007

cambabeer

Florida

4.25/5  rDev +9%

06-06-2013 15:42:08 | More by cambabeer

stella77artois

New York

4.43/5  rDev +13.6%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

12 oz bottle poured into Weizen glass.

As a long time fan of Spaten Original and being a fan in general of Bock's and Doppelbocks, I naturally wanted to try this. Unfortunately, no local stores carry it. Was lucky enough to find some across the lake in VT.

A - Average looking doppelbock. A very dark red-brown, slightly lighter in the light. A very thin off-white head which dissipated quickly, but left some residual. No carbonation noticed.

S - Not a whole lot here. Lot's of malt, some caramel and a general creaminess. A nice smell, just a little on the light side.

T - Damn, this tastes good. A very good representation of a bock. Malt and caramel noticed in the taste as well. Also some toffee, and even some cinnamon. A very creamy and malty taste, without the huge amount of sweetness that many bocks carry. A very, very good taste beer.

F - This is where the beer seperates itself. This is one of the more drinkable bocks. Don't get me wrong, I do greatly enjoy the thickness and feel and a normal doppelbock, but sometimes it can get a little heavy. Not the case here. Still a thick and powerful feeling beer, but a lot of carbonation was felt on the tongue, and the beer wasn't as heavy feeling. First doppelbock I've tried that I consider crisp.

O - A damn good doppelbock. Plenty of taste, not so heavy that you can't drink a few. Highly recommend this beer to any bock fans, or anyone who enjoys dark lagers in general.

Serving type: bottle

06-06-2013 13:49:45 | More by stella77artois

gartlesby

Texas

4/5  rDev +2.6%

06-04-2013 18:37:00 | More by gartlesby

Axnjxn

North Carolina

4.03/5  rDev +3.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

12oz bottle into a Weizen glass. no bottling date.

pours a dark brown/red with a half inch thick head that quickly dissipates. a bready and malty aroma on the nose, quite typical of a doppelbock. taste is very much as expected from a doppelbock, bready and malty and sweet, just like the nose. its pretty good, not great. good feel for a doppelbock, easy to drink. medium bodied with light carbonation.

overall a fairly standard doppelbock thats very drinkable and a good representation of the style. this beer is available everywhere, and its worth picking up if you enjoy doppelbocks.

Serving type: bottle

06-04-2013 00:13:53 | More by Axnjxn