Spaten Optimator - Spaten-Franziskaner-Bräu

almychristopher

New York

4.03/5  rDev +3.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

this beer pours a nice clear brown color with a tan head that recedes to very fine lacing. the aroma is very malty with a bit of caramel in the nose as well, maybe a bit of fruit esters from the yeast. the taste improves upon the nose with the caramel and roasted malt flavor very well developed and complimented nicely by the bavarian yeast esters. the full body and smooth carbonation are good for the style, a petty drinkable doppelbock.

Serving type: on-tap

12-03-2009 22:56:45 | More by almychristopher

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