Spaten Optimator - Spaten-Franziskaner-Bräu

woemad

Washington

3.5/5  rDev -10.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured a dark brown color with an off-white head. Generous lacing. Smell of toasty malt and dark fruits. Tasted of toasty malt, with a figgy, raisiny dark fruit flavor. Hops were minimal. Creamy mouthfeel. This was a nice dopplebock, but not terribly remarkable.

Serving type: bottle

07-28-2003 06:44:16 | More by woemad

clvand0

Kentucky

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

This beer pours a very dark amber color with a small tan head and a little lacing on the glass. The aroma is very malty and strong but still pleasant. I found this beer to be extremely smooth - slid down very nicely. The maltiness is very apparent in the taste and it is just sweet enough. There is also some chocolate that can be found in the taste. The carbonation is there in the taste, but it is very thin - almost like the bubbles are extremely tiny - dunno how to describe this. The aftertaste is malty with a hint of alcohol. Nice beer.

Serving type: bottle

07-28-2003 00:46:01 | More by clvand0

TheDM

Indiana

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

This brew poured a large head of light brown bubbles that were of fine to medium sizes. It had a dark brown almost opaque body with no carbonation evident. With a mild aroma of malt, it has a complex flavor full of spices, malt, caramel, some chewiness and a very mild aftertaste. It goes down very smoothly and leaves a good lacing as it does.

Serving type: bottle

07-20-2003 18:17:37 | More by TheDM

HardTarget

Texas

4.28/5  rDev +9.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 4.5

Aroma: A rich dark malt. I noted some toasted hints, with a slight alcohol nose, but not strong.
Appearance: Dark, looks kind of like coke. When back lit shows nice clarity. I got a nice thin tan head that lasted throughout the beer. The carbonation, while not overly bubbly, was strong and lasting.
Flavor: There are just enough hops to balance the first impression, but the malt quickly takes over for a long sweet aftertaste. I couldn’t note any real hop taste, but again, just enough to keep the beer from being too sweet. You can note the alcohol in the aftertaste, but not very strongly.
Mouthfeel: As dark and rich as the malt is, the mouthfeel is a bit light. While this detracts from a completely satisfying experience, it does lend itself to drinkability.
Overall Impression: A rich dark malty drinkable beer. Fine German craftsmanship.

Serving type: bottle

07-10-2003 23:57:54 | More by HardTarget

LarryKemp

Texas

4.47/5  rDev +14.6%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

This dopplebock poured a clear deep brown with a tall stand of a fine dark tan head. The head did not last particularly long but left a nice lace on the glass. The aroma is malty and has no hoppiness. The taste follows suit and is dominated by malt. Their seems to be a fruitiness that hides behind the malt. This beer is not sweet but yet malty. No roasted taste. Not hops. With a little alcohol taste. The biggest weakness in this drink is its less than full-bodied mouthfeel. I would rate it medium at best. Overall, this is a great dopplebock. I find it a very good beer to sip and enjoy its delicious varieties in aroma and taste.

Serving type: bottle

07-04-2003 17:31:57 | More by LarryKemp

jcalabre

California

3.6/5  rDev -7.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Originally sampled on 1 March 2003. I am writing this review from my notes. draught: This pours a dark brown color. The body is a lot lighter than I expected. It has a lots of malty, roasty flavors. it's a very nice beer, enjoyable, but not outstanding in my opinion.

Serving type: on-tap

06-21-2003 18:31:16 | More by jcalabre

JohnnyDuvel

Florida

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

The first couple of times I had the Optimator, it seemed so sweet and strong, and quite powerful. It was my first doppelbock. I hadn't drank it in quite some time, and had one last night along with a Celebrator and a Korbinian (in a head to head taste test). The Optimator was outclassed. It tasted like a Beck's dark, only stronger. It had that sweetish, almost skunky smell and taste (green bottle?). Not bad, but in that competition, clearly not at the same level. You can save a little money on this one, but it's not in the top 5 for doppelbocks (IMO).
(the next time I had this, it was much better. Maybe the green bottle did the other one in. Nice taste, good balance. Still not in the top 5 for doppels, but good nonetheless).

Serving type: bottle

06-13-2003 21:48:31 | More by JohnnyDuvel

Elemental

Oregon

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

Ahhh....a nice doppelbock. I have had this both on tap and in the bottle and out of the bottle the beer is almost as good as the draught beer. Its got a fair amount of head as you would expect for a doppelbock. Dark yet clear with a good hop aroma. This beer melts in the mouth as it goes down. Its smooth and flavorful with the perfect balance of hops.
Bottom line: For this price you won't find much better...

Serving type: on-tap

06-11-2003 20:39:08 | More by Elemental

Darkale

Virginia

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

Head is thick and fizzy, quite thick at first, creamy and uneven, and then subsides to a "don't give up" skim. Good lacing.

Body is very clear and the color of cherry wood.

Deep malty aroma, sweet with hints of caramel.

Has almost a barley-wine taste, burning, slightly chewy, rich, and slightly sour afterward.

A very pleasant beer. Taste becomes almost nutty as it warms up.

This was one of the first very dark beers that I ever tasted, many years ago, and I returned to it when I saw one sitting there, almost forlorn, on the single beer shelf. Perhaps a bit sweet for some, but a reliable and deep beer, full of character.

Serving type: bottle

06-01-2003 17:58:32 | More by Darkale

Indybeer

Indiana

3.6/5  rDev -7.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

12 oz bottle. Pours a dark brown with little to no head and no lace. Aroma and taste of malt is strong, with little to no hop bitterness. Lack of any real carbonation, brings out an almost sweet, syrupy flavor. Not a bad doppelbock but nothing really stands out.

Serving type: bottle

05-30-2003 20:04:28 | More by Indybeer

AudioGilz

Pennsylvania

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

It's brilliant dark amberish brown in color with a fairly large head. The aroma is very malty and slightly alcoholic. It's toasty and medium bodied....doesn't really come across as "chewy" as other doppels. It's very malty nonetheless with a lingering sweetness. Alcohol shows up after it warms a bit and adds a nice touch.....great doppelbock.

Serving type: bottle

05-29-2003 11:20:29 | More by AudioGilz

hotstuff

Indiana

3.9/5  rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This brew poured a large tan head. There was virtually no lacing observed on the sides of my glass. It had an amber body to it. There was no carbonation observed with this brew. It had a fairly smooth taste to it. All in all this was a very good drink.

Serving type: bottle

05-23-2003 06:37:10 | More by hotstuff

BeerBuilder

Minnesota

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

This one pours to a ruby-brown color with a light brown head. The aroma is malty, bready, and roasty. The flavor is malty, bready, chocolatey, with a bit of roastiness. This is a full-bodied, alcoholic brew. Very malty and tasty. I really enjoy the malty doppel bocks.

Serving type: bottle

05-13-2003 05:02:58 | More by BeerBuilder

kbub6f

New York

4.43/5  rDev +13.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

The smaller, 12oz green bottle bought locally (Grapevine refrigerated shelves), a few days in my fridge, reviewed 45F-65F.

A dense tan head coughs up big bubbles. It collapses slowly. Lacing is thin but sticky. Ruby highlights show up in the dark dark beer if you hold it to the light.

What a nice, toffee malty smell. Mere traces of fonk. The front is malty, but also quite fruity. Creamy caramel takes over in the middle leading to a toffee finish with a touch of spice. Aftertaste is sweet toffee caramel and a surprisingly pleasant alcohol flavor.

Man, what a great beer! Deep. Complex. Sweet but not too sweet. Yum!

Serving type: bottle

05-11-2003 13:33:34 | More by kbub6f

Winter

Wisconsin

3/5  rDev -23.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

1 pint, 9 .oz bottle. Gold foil around the neck with the words "Imported" printed several times diagonally across it. The red Spaten logo also appears centered on the front. Poured a clear, very dark copper in color with a khaki-colored head. Decent aroma consisted of roasted malt, toffee, caramel and a hint of sweet spice. Medium-bodied mouthfeel. The taste is decent, yet very uninspiring. Not bad, just bland. Somewhat vinous finish. 7.2% alcohol is evident in the taste. As far as doppelbocks go, Optimator was a big let down for me primarily from a taste standpoint. I expected much more here.

Serving type: bottle

04-21-2003 17:12:37 | More by Winter

marburg

Michigan

3.93/5  rDev +0.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Eh. Kind of a middle-of-the-road dopplebock. It's brown, as it should be, but it's a bit pale. It's a little thin as lagers tend to be, but there are plenty of fuller-bodied dopplebocks, so there's something to shoot for there. Tastes like a mish-mash of muted flavors with no real pronounced taste beyond a sort of bready vegetable flavor. It's hardly bad; it's just not unexpected, exceptional, or fun in any way.

Serving type: bottle

04-11-2003 17:27:35 | More by marburg

bierman2000

Pennsylvania

4.28/5  rDev +9.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Sweet and dark copper/brown. Very malty with a pronounced thickness compared to other Dopplebocks. It is highly drinkable but also the alcohol comes through after it warms. A good style of Doppelbock that is not given its due. One to try and compare to others.

Serving type: bottle

04-09-2003 12:37:21 | More by bierman2000

AtLagerHeads

Ohio

4.25/5  rDev +9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This is a very good dark beer and one I'm glad I tried. The pour created a beautiful dark, dark amber to mahogany look with ruby highlights. The head was voluminous and a deep tan color. The head did fade a bit quickly, but it left behind a good lacing that lasted through half the glass. A big malt nose with some hops sense. The taste is sweet, but finishes with a very real hop bitterness. Alcohol comes in quickly, but there is good balance with the other flavors. I'll try this again and recommend to friends.

Serving type: bottle

04-04-2003 20:22:18 | More by AtLagerHeads

Scooter77

Ohio

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

Pours a deep brown almost black color with a slight ruby tint. A thick tan head arose and slowly died down leaving a thin lace. The aromas were quite complex with dark malts, caramel, chocolate, and a touch of fruity sweetness. The taste is somewhat complex also; there were hints of nuttiness mixed with sweet fruit and caramel. Alcohol taste was quite apparent, but it wasn’t overpowering so it mixed well with the other flavors. A mild alcohol and malt aftertaste was left in my mouth. This is a very complex and balanced brew; a must try.

Serving type: bottle

03-29-2003 04:53:14 | More by Scooter77

oberon

North Carolina

3.85/5  rDev -1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

One of the first bocks I ever had,poured a nice rich brown color with foamy head.Smell was very sweet and alcoholic,taste was buttery and caramelly and creamy.Since trying more doppelbock's I noticed this was a little thin in the mouthfeel dept. but still a really well made doppelbock.

Serving type: bottle

03-28-2003 06:08:39 | More by oberon

pezoids

Pennsylvania

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

This beer poured out a dark amber brown color. The head was large at first, then fizzled out quick. The nose was of sweet malt with a touch of hops. Caramel in the taste. A full flavored and almost overwhelming beer. Very well made. I enjoyed this one.

Serving type: bottle

03-27-2003 20:34:14 | More by pezoids

texascarl

Kansas

3.8/5  rDev -2.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Appearance = dark amber/copper, thick tan head, nice lacing

Nose = toast, malt

Taste =toasted malts, sweet, buttery, thick...caramel & some hops. 'Chewy' mouthfeel. Dryish finish.

Nice doppelbock, sweet and malty. Good availablity, goes on sale here often - when it becomes quite a bargain.

Serving type: bottle

03-26-2003 21:46:20 | More by texascarl

Reidrover

Oregon

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

Bought in the 1 pt.9 oz bottle..With the two shovels on the label.
This beer is like an old friend..its been a while..
The beer looks fantastic poured into my mug..great frothy off white head atop a dark red /brown beer..very impressive.
As would be expected the malt is very evident in the aroma..also slight coffee and chocolate accents ..very inviting.
MM i like the taste of this beer..its slightly sweeter than many doppelbocks..but I believe it to be well balanced by the astringent after taste..and the dark chocolate flavour.Not the greatest but one of the best in my opinion.
Feels pretty comfortable on the tongue not too carbonated at all..smooth.
Overall a very very drinkable doppelbock..I have had better tasting Doppels but none as drinkable as this .
NOTES..This was my very first doppelbock..way back in 2001..LOL seems like a life time ago..my first real taste of German beer other than bloody Becks. It has fond memories for me..I first tasted it on a camping trip to the Oregon High Desert..me and the wife went to get over a terrible tragedy in our lives..I drank this out of the bottle ( 8 of them) It helped me forget for a while..like I said It's and old friend..

Serving type: bottle

03-24-2003 18:58:00 | More by Reidrover

Delirium

Massachusetts

2.58/5  rDev -33.8%
look: 2 | smell: 2 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 1

Clear dark brick red pour gives way to quickly settling head with floating clusters of bubbles around the edge if the glass. Smells like a fruit salad left in the sun all day. Acidic and sweet like bile and corn. Maybe this beer tastes better on tap in Munich, tastes to me like concentrated ghetto 40oz.

Serving type: bottle

03-15-2003 11:12:29 | More by Delirium

rabidawg

Georgia

4.05/5  rDev +3.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Appearance: Deep ruby bier with a shimmer of carbonation. Two finger, tan, small-bubbled head that settles to a skim of foam that hangs around.

Smell: Malty caramel with roasty confectionary notes. Alcohol noticeable but not overwhelming.

Taste: More caramelized sugar and roasty malts, with just a hint of hops to balance things out. Sugary aftertaste, with just enough hop bitterness to lead me to lift my glass again.

Very creamy, but thin mouthfeel for a doppelbock. Very drinkable beer, almost dangerously drinkable at this ABV. At $6.99/6-pack, it's a great deal on a pretty decent bier.

Now my reviews count! Yeah!!!

Serving type: bottle

03-03-2003 19:50:52 | More by rabidawg