Spaten Optimator - Spaten-Franziskaner-Bräu

TheBierBand

Ohio

4.68/5  rDev +20%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

OK... I've previously reviewd this as served on tap. But I recently purchased a case to have on hand at home.

The 12 oz green bottle poured into a pint glass seemed so small when compared to the normal serving I enjoy at Mecklenburg Gardens in Cincinnati (1 Big ol' Litre!). But it poured nicely producing a 1" head of frothy beige foam. The color was dark brown... very dark.

I sniffed the edge of the glass to catch the aroma of chocolate sweetness with some fruity character... perhaps spiced prunish. It seemed more hoppy than as served on tap and also a bit more carbonated, but not overly so. Actually very well balanced.

The mouthfeel was smooth. Very nice without a hoppy bite. The aftertaste leaves a sweetness in your mouth for a long time!

Drinkability is excellent with this strong Dopplebock. This is and probably will remain as my preferred Bock. I might be in the minority, but I prefer this one over Celebrator... although, I've never had Celebrator on tap.

Serving type: bottle

01-09-2007 16:57:28 | More by TheBierBand

logansboat15

Wisconsin

4.68/5  rDev +20%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Spaten Optimator has always been one of my favorite versions of the Doppelbock style. Pours a beautiful dark copper with decent head and faint lacing. Aroma comes forth as a peaty, meaty, full-bodied whiff of malty deliciousness. Tastes like a sweet caramel apple on steroids. Sweet going down, going to light dry to the finish. Heavy, chewy mouthfeel makes this an exceptional brew, both in bottles and on tap. So smooth that extra care must be taken if consumed in a party atmosphere. Goes great with a hearty chicken mole or greasy enchiladas.

Serving type: on-tap

05-11-2007 18:47:29 | More by logansboat15

fitzy84

Massachusetts

4.68/5  rDev +20%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Had at Moan and Dove. Dark but clear appearance with some amber hints through light. Immediate lacing. Very rich in malts, grains and nuts in aroma: very enticing and thick smells. Really incredible taste: rich but not too heavy, malty and hoppy. Medium body balances out its delicious dimensions from getting too extreme. Overall, an awesome drink.

Serving type: bottle

05-14-2008 23:02:21 | More by fitzy84

BBMuffins

Oklahoma

4.68/5  rDev +20%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

This is a fairly exceptional beer. For a doppelbock, it is a good standard, and as a standard, it sets the bar fairly high. I drink this beer with pleasure, and I always have a few available. Goes pretty good with a meal, but the combination can make you a tad sleepy (7.2% ABV is the culprit here.)

Appearance - It's a pretty beer, very little head involved as it's not the most carbonated of beers available. Typically there's just a ring around the outside of that occasionally manages to lace around the edges of the glass. It is a dark brown-red color in the light, and a very deep red (almost black) otherwise.

Smells - Very faintly like bitter raisins, almost nutty in character, but the smell is hardly the best part.

Taste - 7.2% ABV provides a bit of spiciness, though it's hardly noticeable. A massive variety of flavors attack the tongue, in seemingly random order each time you taste. It's a complex tasting beer, that is for sure. Typically a bitter flavor followed by a bit of spiciness, followed by a burnt caramel raisin, followed by more bitterness, and sticking around the mouth for quite some time. A distant aftertaste of a more grassy bitter flavor. I find this beer to be absolutely delicious.

Mouth feel - initially mildly thick, though it's not as thick as it looks like it would be. Easily glides down the gullet. Leaves a wake of carbonation tingle, though not a lot.

Drinkability - Insanely easy to drink. I typically can drink three or four of these in a session (of course the 7.2% alcohol level reminds me that I probably shouldn't do this.) I could never get sick of the taste of this beer. I know I've tasted better, but for the price, the quality of this beer puts it at an A+. Everybody should taste a Spaten Optimator. It's what turned me on to darker beers, doppelbocks, and full flavored beers. It's excellent.

Serving type: bottle

07-25-2010 02:36:46 | More by BBMuffins

K270

California

4.7/5  rDev +20.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

I'm not one to drink a dark beer. When I poured the beer into a clear glass the head was bountiful. Nice thick white head about 3 fingers thick. It stuck around a while then went away. A had a very nice smell, almost a mild spiced smell is the best way I can describe it. I might have to change my position on dark beers. I picked this up because it looked intresting and it's a very interesting beer. I'll definatly buy this beer again.

Serving type: bottle

05-22-2008 05:22:04 | More by K270

ComfortablyBum

North Carolina

4.7/5  rDev +20.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

12 oz bottle poured into DFH glass

A - dark dark brown with a thin head. Head faded into lacing around the glass.

S - Sweet caramel

T - roasty malt with chocolate and woody flavors. Smooth and delicious.

M - Its heavy and carbonated. Over 7% ABV, so it warms nicely on the way down.

D - Excellent. Great beer for having a couple of. Doppelbock is quickly becoming my new favorite style.

Serving type: bottle

09-28-2010 01:44:42 | More by ComfortablyBum

BuddyP87

Florida

4.7/5  rDev +20.5%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

My dad was in the Air Force and spent time in Germany and had this beer back in the 1960's, he said I had to try some, I am glad I did. This is a full body beer that will put you to sleep. If you are used to American beers be warned, this beer will put you to sleep.

Serving type: bottle

02-19-2011 23:50:56 | More by BuddyP87

KodyBrannon

Texas

4.72/5  rDev +21%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

This beer hooked me from the first sip. It was a darker in color than i expected, but had a lighter taste than the look. Very smooth on the first sip and good to the last drop. The smell of the beer, is very mindfull of a heavy draught like guiness, but the taste goes more along the lines of an english ale, I would recomend this to anyone that wants to try it. I will be keeping this one in constant supply.

Serving type: bottle

08-22-2007 20:37:04 | More by KodyBrannon

Psyopticon

California

4.72/5  rDev +21%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

This will be my first review of a Beer and I'm truely excited to start off with the Spaten Optimator. With this said, keep it in mind this is my first as I go through the A.S.T.M.D of it.

I came across this beer in a German style tavern located in Silver Lake, CA named "The Red Lion Tavern". I never really expanded my tastes passed the normal domestic beer, so this was my first real break outside of common grocery store beer. I randomly picked Spatan Optimator and this is how it went.

Appearance: At first, I was rather intimidated. It was dark, and was barely transparent towards the bottom.

Smell: The smell was actually quite nice, different than any other beer I've smelled at the time. Had a rich caramel smell to it.

Taste: The ultimate. I never really understood why people liked tap beer at the time I tried this. But after tasting this out of a bottle later on, I realized why. Like the smell, it tasted of Caramel which is quite nice, and really makes this one of my favorites.

Mouthfeel: The S.O does have somewhat of a syrup-like texture yet somewhat smooth, but this isn't something that really concerned me.

Drinkability: With this beer having a decently high ABV of 7.2%, it's not really a beer you can have a few of and be fine. I had 3 glasses the first time and it pretty much kicked my ass at the time being the lightweight that I am. But it was the perfect drink to go with a pretty gnarly bratwurst & sauerkraut.

This is at the currently point in time, my favorite beer right now, and It's a joy to bring a 6-pack of it to a friends place and watch them enjoy it as well.

Serving type: on-tap

06-10-2009 03:27:00 | More by Psyopticon

Brouwerij78

New York

4.72/5  rDev +21%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Very delicious dark, thick, full beer. Oddly atypical for a German Brewery - they are most famous for their strong weiss beers and mid-range dark beers. This is a roasty, malty and slightly sweet brew full of rich carmel notes and coffee hints. I had this in a pint at "Wolfe's Beirgarden" in Albany NY. Served non-ice-cold was best and this is definitely a higher-end leisurely drinking beer to enjoy with some wurst and spatzel...delicious!!

Serving type: on-tap

06-17-2011 14:45:24 | More by Brouwerij78

SirLicksalot

Illinois

4.72/5  rDev +21%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured from bottle to pint glass
A dark bronze pour with a light head. Nice malty rich smell. Slightly sweet a little hoppy.
Fantastic balance of flavors, no single flavor characteristic was overpowering. The rich malt provided the sweetness to offset the slight bitterness of the hops. This was a taste so potent, it may have reversed my neutering operation.
I’m no German Shepherd, but this is a beer that you should drink from a Kaiser Wilhelm helmet in order to wash down a couple of yards of bratwurst. The flavor is so rich that it does mask the impressive 7.6% ABV content, so this brew can sneak up on you if you’re not careful.
I tried this one on the recommendation of a Schnauzer, and was not disappointed. It now ranks in my top 5 favorite beers.

Serving type: bottle

09-28-2011 23:34:52 | More by SirLicksalot

karst

Missouri

4.75/5  rDev +21.8%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

From Spaten of Munich where lagering had its start. The high quality of this dopplebock is apparant in it absolute clarity and rich decoction produced aromatics and flavors.

My Stone barleywine glass showcases the outstanding appearances of a dense head and deep ruby-garnet beer. At 45-55° the toffee, toast, bready, Munich malt aromas are a little reserved.

A very complex taste dominates the nose and at first sip, eclipses the initial stellar charistics. I keep the beer in my mouth warming it and letting it beome chewy as the perfect carbonation expands it into a full chewy mouthful of sweet Munich malt, complex melaniodins. On swallowing the quiet hop bitterness combines with the alcohol of 7.2 ABV finish clean as the toasty malt flavors and delicious sweetness return again to the palate and esophagus to finally dry.

This is more that drinkable and above 55°F the aroma is awesome. Alcohol emerges with those toasted Munich malt aromatics. MMmmm mmm Munich!

Serving type: bottle

06-23-2005 04:00:29 | More by karst

acevenom

Louisiana

4.75/5  rDev +21.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Poured a 1 pint 0.9 ounce bottle into a 22 ounce brandy snifter. Pours dark brown with a dissipating tan head that leaves some lacing. The smell is of sweet dark roasted malts and a bit of caramel. There's maybe a bit of fig in the smell. The taste is of lightly sweet malt, fig, caramel, a little bit of bitterness on the back end. It's not cloyingly sweet and the ABV is not noticeable. The mouthfeel is full and the flavors linger in the mouth, but it is very pleasant. The carbonation is well done. Overall, this is an excellent beer and is still one of my favorites.

Serving type: bottle

03-04-2012 20:42:56 | More by acevenom

billybob

Massachusetts

4.8/5  rDev +23.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

am i the only one that has a problem with the name of this beer. it sounds like a name for a arnold schwarzenegger movie. this is a very nice beer, pours dark brown red color half to three quarter head with good lacing. smell is of sweet bread. taste is of bread and honey sweet and smooth. mouthfeel is light smooth not over carbonated. drinkability excellent, buy and try this beer.

Serving type: bottle

10-13-2006 04:26:37 | More by billybob

sillyswa

California

4.8/5  rDev +23.1%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

pours a dark walnut nearly black with a beautiful tan head which doesn't stick very long, lacing that last to the center of my glass.

smell of roasted malts, some bread with a sweet scent perhaps honey? or really light maple syrup and i'm getting dried fruit like raisins. a cinnamon raisin bagel anyone? very much like walking into the local "Noahs Bagel" with the aromas of fresh brewed coffee.

taste of sweet malts that leads to roasted walnuts, tasting a little wheat bread. coffee-like and not that weak mild crap, but the dark bold potent brew. taste like what it smells.

creamy mouthfeel that lingers, not much carbonation. almost like that "going down on your woman" type of feel. hehe! oh boy i need a woman

overall this is very nice, well balanced and easy to enjoy. i'll def have this again. perhaps after i finish this one. lol!

Serving type: bottle

03-25-2009 03:21:14 | More by sillyswa

BerkeleyBeerMan

California

4.8/5  rDev +23.1%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Appearance: Dark, non-transparent

Smell: Malts: Caramel, butter-scotch candy. Hops: Mild and clean hops that don't interfere with the malty characters.

Taste: The Malts come out strong and thick. It has a grainy coffee-like character to it. It is strong on the hops. The hops accentuate the body of the beer but never intefere with the overall flavor.

Mouthfeel: Heavy body with a mild coarseness like a well pulled espresso. Not very carbonated. Doesn't go flat.

Drinkability: This has been a favorite beer of mine for a while even before I thought about reviewing beers. It's a heavy beer that doesn't require a refill because it satisfies so much. You'll want to pick up an Optimator to help you wash down your dinner or to celebrate.

Serving type: bottle

12-05-2010 09:14:40 | More by BerkeleyBeerMan

kegerator

Maryland

4.83/5  rDev +23.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

what can i say about this one. its one of my favorites in this style.
pours out deep brown with a good head that dissipates fairly quick and leaves decent lacing.
smell is very malty with slight hints of chocolate and dried fruits(very slight but they are there).
taste is all malt with some brown sugarish taste in the backdrop very nice. mouthfeel is very nice, smooth and crisp.
very drinkable as i buy this one all the time. If your planning on a German meal with brats etc. buy this one. it pairs up perfectly.

Serving type: bottle

06-23-2004 13:27:04 | More by kegerator

Jordan

California

4.85/5  rDev +24.4%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

Cocoa flavor in the background, strong malt flavors. This has been my introduction into the world of doppel-bock. One of the most satisfying beers I've had the pleasure of drinking.
Contemplative, superb.

Serving type: bottle

10-28-2001 19:34:17 | More by Jordan

Sixpack595

Michigan

4.88/5  rDev +25.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

I would put this squarely between Salvator and Celebrator in nearly every aspect. Color, mouthfeel, and strength of flavor are all a bit lighter than Celebrator. A dark beer, head is much better on tap than from bottle. I would put this as one of the more approachable doppels, great for introducing someone to the style. This is a doppel you can sit down and drink all night.

Serving type: on-tap

01-01-2003 12:16:38 | More by Sixpack595

RBorsato

Virginia

4.88/5  rDev +25.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Seems like everyone is selling this one short ... maybe it's because it's Spaten or in a green bottle ... trust me - try this one side by side with Salvator and Celebrator and it holds up very well.

Dark reddish-brown (mahogany) with a nice creamy tan head, decent carbonation, an nice lace rings. Malty dark carmel-ish aroma and taste. Dark fruit notes throughout. Medium-full (leans full) with a rich creamy finish.

A bargain in price compared to Salvator and Celebrator and just as good as Salvator... now, Celebrator, that's in a class all by itself.

Per Label: Since 1397

Per Spaten website: Original gravity: 18.2. Alcohol content: 7.2%

($1.79 / 12 oz. bottle)

Serving type: bottle

10-07-2003 20:11:56 | More by RBorsato

Kopp

New Jersey

4.88/5  rDev +25.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

This is probably my favorite beer - I've had it in both bottle form and on tap in Epcot Center, in the Germany Pavilion. The guy working at the beer tap urged me to try this beer and I am glad I listened to him. You can get it at many liquor stores and it isn't expensive, and the alcohol content (7.2%) is a bit higher than regular beers, but not overpowering.

A: dark brown/reddish, almost black color, slight head that does not stay around for long

S: glorious. Has a roasted malt and somewhat sweet smell

T: even better than it smells. Malty flavor that is sweet. Slight bitter but not until the very end.

M: smooth and nice, a bit syrupy but full - not really carbonated

D: would drink at any time

Overall: It was one of the best beers I've ever had, highly recommend. It is smooth, tastes malty, almost bready, and a little sweet, barely carbonated, and looks and smells as good as it tastes.

Serving type: bottle

03-20-2009 21:16:00 | More by Kopp

Jmaths

Pennsylvania

4.9/5  rDev +25.6%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Appearance: A gorgeous beer...darky ruby and earthy brown with a strong tan head.

Smell: Malty, barely hoppy, sweet, inviting.

Taste: Malt dominates, with slight molasses/burnt sugar, perfect amount of sweetness and smoky undertone, with very slight hoppy bitterness to balance the sweetness.

Mouthfeel: Feels somewhat thick, perfect amount of carbonation, alcohol is warming and slightly noticeable, mouthfeel magnifies as the beer warms and loses carbonation.

Drinkability: Very drinkable, but keep in mind, a six-pack of Optimator is worth a twelve pack of lesser beers in terms of the "effects". Where I live, a case of this stuff goes for about $31 (tax included), which is almost impossible to beat.

Serving type: bottle

01-09-2011 18:26:47 | More by Jmaths

nortmand

Virginia

4.93/5  rDev +26.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Ruby red/amber pour with a head that disappears too fast.

Rich caramel and noble hops in the nose.

Complex sugars mingle on the tongue. Ripe fruit, caramel, a little chocolate. Leaves a rich, sweet caramel aftertaste.

Full, slightly slick body. Very drinkable.

Serving type: bottle

10-30-2006 23:16:40 | More by nortmand

beer256

Pennsylvania

4.93/5  rDev +26.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

I tried this beer at a german pub in South Carolina and i thought it was great. I had two 16oz. glasses,the smell was nice with a variety of aromas pretty typical for the style. A touch of molasses and a lot of sweet malt.The taste is delicious and addicting. .A fantastic Doppelbock, I'm definitely going back for some more!

Serving type: on-tap

04-09-2012 06:19:43 | More by beer256

pkalix

California

4.93/5  rDev +26.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

tall paulaner .5 L glass allows the dark ruby transparency with a small amount of head.
smell is sweet and caramel-ly
taste is sweet and malty and caramel-ly. and yummy.
mouthfeel is thicker, heartier; richer.
overall, has always been one of my all time favorites. all time. kind of like coming home again, ya know? love the style. love the brewery (even if it is very commercial). love the beer. this is what i think of when i think of a good german brew. not bitter, not tart. if anything, guilty of being sweeter than most might prefer, but i like my sweets. i thought twice about the three 5's. and this IS my first beer of the evening (afternoon?), so i'm not yet buzzed. i love this beer.

Serving type: bottle

11-01-2012 22:32:22 | More by pkalix