Spaten Optimator - Spaten-Franziskaner-Bräu

BeerAngel

Texas

4.1/5  rDev +5.1%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Pours a dark brown/amber with a modest head. Smell is of a malty caramel with a hint of sweetness. The taste is somewhat consistent with the caramel and malt with just a hint of hops for a super nice balance! It has a medium/heavy body with very creamy mouthfeel and a warming alcohol finish! Damn good! Prosit!

Serving type: bottle

09-28-2002 20:30:26 | More by BeerAngel

MaineBeerMan

Maine

4.2/5  rDev +7.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Dark, dark red-brown color with a decent beige head that seemed to fade too fast. The smell is super malty with maybe a hint of chocolate?
One sip and it's full malt assault on the palate. Sweet and malty with hints of caramel and very little hops until the finish. The high alcohol content leaves a nice warm feeling as it goes down.
Very drinkable I had almost forgotten how much I liked this beer, as it was one of the only dopplebocks I could find after returning from Germany, but before moving to Portland.

Serving type: bottle

09-23-2002 18:19:05 | More by MaineBeerMan

NeroFiddled

Pennsylvania

4.5/5  rDev +15.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Clear, deep-crimson/mahogany in color with an off-white head that drops shortly after pouring but maintains a good-sized creamy collar and more than adequate surface foam. Very nice. The aroma expresses rich, toasted Munich malts; a hint of fruit; a slight whisp of alcohol; and a light touch of background hops. The body is medium/full with a very fine and slightly moderate carbonation that leaves it smooth and creamy across the palate. The flavor delivers a rich toasted malt that's laced with fruit and some minimal hop flavor; as well as some clear alcohol. It's very well balanced and the sweet malt is always kept in check by a firm, underlying bitterness. It finishes dry with just a swirl of fruit and alcohol; and the malt never clings to the palate. Very well done! One of the classics of the style.

Serving type: bottle

09-22-2002 17:50:43 | More by NeroFiddled

BeerBob

Nebraska

4.38/5  rDev +12.3%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Optimator pours a extremely dark red that looks just as black as coal with a casual glance. The tan head formed a good three fingers, then leaves lace down the side of the glass as the Brew is consumed, for a picture perfect presentation.

Nose of burnt malt and fig, with whiffs of alcohol. Palate is a yummy sweet burnt malt, light in character, not syrupy. Also present are notes of coffee, fig, and caramel.

Optimator could easily become just about anyones number one or two favorite Beer of style.

Serving type: bottle

09-21-2002 06:47:41 | More by BeerBob

bditty187

Nebraska

3.88/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Dark brown hue with ruby highlights, rich in color, the head was brunette, a thick finger in height but it failed to hold well. As I imbibed in the glorious liquid rings of lace were established on the side of my glass. The nose was lacking that powerful bunch but pleasant and, albeit, soft notes of chocolate, toffee, hints of fruit, and a blur of alcohol construct the aromas. As a whole the bouquet is pleasant; I just had to work at smelling it. The palate is plenty malty, it is chewy and both lightly roasted and tasty sweet flavors appear. Chocolate covered raisins and a note of hops finish the beer nicely. This is a fine doppelbock, simply lovely. Medium-full in texture with low, natural carbonation that helps produce a relaxed mouthfeel. I was inspired to sip yet this is an easy drinking doppelbock. I think both Salvator and Celebrator are better but by know means should Optimator be ignored. It is a high quality beverage.

Serving type: bottle

09-17-2002 19:11:17 | More by bditty187

Lupe

New York

4.05/5  rDev +3.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

Deep dark brown with a nice beige head and some lace. The nose is malt, caramel, very rich and aromatic. Starts malt sweet and the toasted grains show through. Finishes a bit dry with some hops. Great mouthfeel and real smooth. Robust, dark, full bodied, and wonderful complex flavors. Very enjoyable.

Serving type: bottle

09-17-2002 17:15:23 | More by Lupe

BitteBier

Indiana

4/5  rDev +2.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Dark reddish-coppery tones. Thin head quickly dissipates, but there's plenty of time to enjoy the heady aromas of sweet caramel and a hint of alcohol. The taste is heavy at the front with sweetness giving away to just a bit of alcohol. You probably won't want to drink a lot of this, but you'll love every drop that you have.

Serving type: bottle

09-05-2002 20:58:24 | More by BitteBier

Reverand

Pennsylvania

3.68/5  rDev -5.6%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Deep dark brown almost black in color with a thin a beige head that quickly vanished. A bit thin on taste,a little disappointing for a dobblebock but overall a decent beer and worth a try.

Serving type: bottle

08-23-2002 07:11:11 | More by Reverand

Wildman

Ohio

3.95/5  rDev +1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

This beer poured a dark amber color and formed an off white bubbly head that was bit sudsy and left some lace. The aroma was of malt and caramel and a touch of chocolate. The flavor was of malt and chocolate with a touch of caramel. The body was a bit light for this style and not as creamy as others. The finish was light, but didn't find it as bad as others mentioned, just a touch astrigent.

Serving type: bottle

08-14-2002 17:29:43 | More by Wildman

StevieW

Florida

3.38/5  rDev -13.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

A nice looking deep dark brown to black color. Thin beige head. Decent roasted carmel, toffee sweet smells. Tastes were sublte, roasted carmel malty sweetness, slight bitter finish. A bit thin watery feel for a dopplebock. There are other more tasty dopplebocks out there, IMO, Salvator and Celebrator rank ahead of this one.

Serving type: bottle

08-06-2002 14:49:02 | More by StevieW

Todd

Massachusetts

3.83/5  rDev -1.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Pours a nice brown beer with a thick, clinging off-white cream/foam lace. Malty/herbal aroma. Surprisingly light-ish, but also malty sweet and milky with buttery caramel, day old coffee and bitter dark chocolate malt flavours. Faint roasted flavours. Toasty notes all over. Raisin flavours become pronounced as the beer warms. Notes of metallic around the edges. Sharp carbonation on the tongue followed by a light herbal hop presence that blends nicely with a not so subtle alcohol spicy character. Hops leave a slightly leafy and oily slick feel on the palate, peaking at the finish, which is dry.

A good doppelbock, but not a great one (it's an imported macro brew at heart). Still well worth the try ...

Serving type: bottle

07-14-2002 20:09:32 | More by Todd

BeerManDan

California

4.13/5  rDev +5.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Well balance of malts, alcohol and sweetness with just the right amount of tartness. Silky smooooth tasting. The aftertaste is a little short, but no enough to matter! Love it!

Serving type: bottle

06-22-2002 14:36:30 | More by BeerManDan

frank4sail

New Jersey

4.33/5  rDev +11%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Strong caramel smell with deep dark amber look. Pale head with good retention. The caramel keeps coming when you taste. Malty sweetness with hints of roasted coffee beans. Lots of complex flavor. Smooth silk mouth but there is also lots of sparkle on the tongue. the aftertaste is slightly nutty. Very good brew for the cool/cold nights in fall or winter.

Serving type: bottle

06-21-2002 11:19:11 | More by frank4sail

proc

Michigan

3.98/5  rDev +2.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Full of flavor, nice malt taste with just tinge of sweetness. Easy to drink with a nice aftertaste. The alcohol has a warming effect as you drink it. More of a cool weather offering. For some reason, drinking this outdoors on a crisp evening brings out the beer's flavor and enjoyment.

Serving type: bottle

06-21-2002 06:38:56 | More by proc

mickeymac

California

3.95/5  rDev +1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Pours a nice brown with hints of red and an off-white head. The smell is malty sweetness with just a slight hoppiness and a bit of a metallic smell. Surprisingly, the flavors didn't seem to develop as the beer warmed. It also seemed just a bit thin. After drinking Salvator, Optimator was a little disappointing.

Serving type: bottle

06-11-2002 06:55:33 | More by mickeymac

Pegasus

Texas

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

Deep amber brown color with a strong head and decent lace. Pleasant aroma of malt, caramel, alcohol, fruits; the apple peel that another reviewer noted seems quite prominent. Taste is very smooth and rich with malts;the malt flavor persists to the end, the hops are quite understated. Alcohol is very warming and potent. A very nice double bock.

Package reviewed was a 12 oz green glass longneck.

Serving type: bottle

05-31-2002 20:20:38 | More by Pegasus

Longstaff

Massachusetts

4.35/5  rDev +11.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Out of the few dopplebocks I've had, I like this the best. The lager characteristics are not drowned out by the malt and is pretty easy to drink. A little lighter than most doppelbocks but has enough nutty, malty flavor to help subdue the strong alcohol flavor. I also had a sample on tap at the Beer Summit and thought it was little more chocolate flavored (and of course fresher) than the bottle version.

Serving type: bottle

05-29-2002 07:36:57 | More by Longstaff

DarthMalt

Virginia

4.1/5  rDev +5.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

This was my fall-back brew for a long time before I started to develop an appreciation for trying different styles of beer.

Many years ago, a friend introduced me to some type of Spaten on-tap. I was so impressed with the flavor that I never forgot the brand name.

Now that I live in an area with more beer depth, and am more knowledgeable about beers in general, I am happy to say that Spaten Optimator has kept its reign alive as fall-back brew.

I am a doublebock junkie, and pretty much have a skewed perception of beers based on what I consider normal in terms of flavor.

After trying Paulaner Salvator, I was happy to know that Spaten Optimator comes very close to this original d-bock--especially with that elusive, "classic" double bock flavor. However, Optimator is much darker (as most d-bocks seem to be) than Salvator.

I've also tired Allgauer Cambonator and Tucher Bajuvator, which are non-existent in my locale. While not as fine or complex as these beers, Spaten Optimator has a special place, because it is a beer which knows what a double bock is supposed to taste like, and it is also available in nearly every backwater town within a hundered yards of a college campus. Bless those students!


Only drawback--green bottles. I've had a "wet dog" or two, unfortunately.

Serving type: bottle

05-27-2002 12:48:11 | More by DarthMalt

WilliamPhilaPa

Pennsylvania

4.35/5  rDev +11.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Pours brown with a ruby hue or tint. A tiny bit thinner body than some other German Dopplebocks, but this one nevertheless provides the alcoholic warmth typical of the style. Heavy malt on the nose and on the palate, along with dried fruit, toasted bread maybe, raison notes, little toffee as well. Good mouth feel. Another great DB…Doppelbock is just a great style, I don’t think I every had one I really didn’t enjoy…not yet at least…

Serving type: bottle

05-16-2002 14:38:05 | More by WilliamPhilaPa

cokes

Wisconsin

4.35/5  rDev +11.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Glowing brownish-scarlet with a pillowy dirty-white head that lasts.
Smells of the heavy malt load...some dried fruit. Raisin bread notes.
Taste come through with these flavors as well. Very malty and multi-tiered. Camel/toffee on one level. Raisin/plum on another. Tobacco, nuts, and vanilla all in here as well.
Maybe a hair on the thin side....but VERY drinkable.
A great DB choice when not looking for something thick or gigantic, yet still spot-on for the style.

Serving type: bottle

05-14-2002 23:47:05 | More by cokes

Viking

Indiana

3.73/5  rDev -4.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Solid doppel. Deep, dark amber colored beer with a rocky white head. Head fades quickly, and leaves a thin lace floating on the surface of the beer. Wonderful aroma! Sweet molasses, with a bit of a metallic tang. Sweetness in the nose is just a bit too candy-like for perfection, but it's still amazing. Body is a bit thin, and the taste isn't as rich as the smell promises. Sweet molasses dominates the malty taste, with some hop zest present especially on the finish.

Serving type: bottle

04-24-2002 16:12:41 | More by Viking

ADR

Pennsylvania

3.95/5  rDev +1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

On tap at St. Paul, MNs Glockenspiel dining hall.

Nice dark color, rocky one inch head. Minimal mostly sweet aroma. Roasted sweet malts, minimal to no bitterness. Slight chocolate tones. Rather than a metallic taste at the end, I noticed a severe flavor fall off, which might be intentional. Liked it more as it warmed up. Was thinner in body than I expected, but it was highly drinkable

Serving type: on-tap

04-11-2002 10:03:28 | More by ADR

mophie

Delaware

3.53/5  rDev -9.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Deep mahogony, with a foamy white head that disappears fairly quickly. Slight metallic aroma with a hint of molasses. Taste is also slightly metallic, slightly sweet (again, molasses), with a slightly bitter finish. Alcohol is apparent after the first few sips. Overall, a nice beer, but it seems a bit slight to me.

Serving type: bottle

04-01-2002 19:47:35 | More by mophie

John

New York

4.5/5  rDev +15.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Had on draught. Lovely appearance in the 20oz. pint glass. Gorgeous, dark, malty. Alcohol is evident in the aroma with smells of dark bread, caramel and coffee. Sweet, dark roasted malt flavors are balanced well with the alcohol kick. A perfect nightcap or with a hearty meal. Outstanding.

Serving type: bottle

04-01-2002 10:43:50 | More by John

jackndan

Illinois

4.15/5  rDev +6.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Beautiful beer, deep ruby, tan head. Rich, deep malt taste. Strong aroma, noticeable in the first sip through the last (which is kind of a rarity, for me at least). Deep, lingering, sweet aftertaste, kind of reminds me of a tawny port. Very good. (by the way, bought it in a half liter (about 17 ounces) brown bottle with a gold foil top).

Serving type: bottle

03-30-2002 23:10:11 | More by jackndan