Spaten Optimator - Spaten-Franziskaner-Bräu

thecheapies

Pennsylvania

3.65/5  rDev -6.4%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Spaten Optimator. $2.50 for the bottle.

Poured into a pint glass. Paired with glazed chicken skewers with yellow squash, red pepper, and zucchini.

Coppery-ruby red body with rising carbonation from the base of the glass. Exceptional clarity. The half-inch tan head fizzled out without a good fight. A thin ring and surface foam remains. 3.0

A dark fruit mild sweetness is second to roasted malts and wet grain. Some apricot-like hops in there. Overall, an earthy smell. 3.5

Rich Bavarian malts with a raisin sweetness. Suggestions of red apple, prune, and cedar. Decent traces of alcohol are present. Not as much of a roasted character from the malt as anticipated from the nose, but they are full and fruity. The yeast is pulling some esters in, but not huge. Some clove. 4.0

Hardly any carbonation on the swig, a smidge in the mouth and throat going down. The body is medium and slick. The alcohol could use some tempering, but it's no mind-glazer. Pretty average. 3.0

The first traditional Doppelbock I ever tasted (back in the day, I mean). I loved it then, and it's still pretty decent now. Prefer other Germans to this one, and even a few American examples. Still a good beer, and cheap. 3.5

Serving type: bottle

03-27-2012 20:39:29 | More by thecheapies

KajII

North Carolina

2.8/5  rDev -28.2%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 2 | overall: 2.5

[Best served in a Dimpled Mug]

The pour was a medium-dark brown with a large (2-3 finger) light brown head that diminished quickly and had poor lacing.

The aroma was of a toasted bread malt and a doughy yeast with notes of caramel, molasses, dark fruit (raisins and plums) and a slight metallic smell.

The taste was lightly sweet and malty throughout with a note of caramel early on and had notes of dark fruit and a mild alcohol presence at the finish. The flavor lasted an average time after the swallow with a slight metallic fruity flavor left behind.

Mouthfeel was light to medium in body and watery yet just a tad dry in texture with a medium carbonation.

Overall a pretty basic Doppelbock with a slightly bland flavor...

Serving type: bottle

03-22-2012 23:04:48 | More by KajII

boilermakerbrew

Indiana

4.23/5  rDev +8.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A- Pours a deep reddish-brown. Good 2.5 finger head that retains and laces well.

S- Prominent dark fruit aromas with roast hints. Not what I expected for my first doppelbock. Also hints of sweetness in there.

T- Great complexity of dark fruits intermingling with roasts. Frankly, not what I expected for a doppelbock being so strong in the dark fruit area and not so much in the malt/roast areas, but pretty darn good flavors are here.

M- Creamy and somewhat thick. Goes down fairly easy. Somewhat boozy feel from the dark fruits.

Overall, I am very impressed with this doppelbock. And for the $15 a case the local store was selling it for, who can complain?

Serving type: bottle

03-21-2012 01:03:07 | More by boilermakerbrew

nofalltoofar

Pennsylvania

4.3/5  rDev +10.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Poured into pint glass

A: Beautiful, almost pure black. White head and the darkest brown at the bottom of the glass.

S: Rich dark caramel, sweet and full.

T: Immediate bitterness with a sweet middle and tangy after-taste. Strong caramel notes and thick grain flavor

M: Smooth, a little thick. Not at all oily or sticky. Excellent.

It's a delicious beer. I picked up a six-pack for the night from the local Southampton "The Beer Store" for $12 and expected nothing big. I was pleasantly surprised by a nuanced yet familiar doppelbock taste with that delicious warming effect so great on a Winter night. Too bad it's a balmy 62 in PA right now.

Serving type: bottle

03-16-2012 22:44:53 | More by nofalltoofar

StaveHooks

Oklahoma

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

500ML served into Sam Adams Perfect Pint glass.

A - Pours a dark russet copper with an active light tan head. Nice clarity.

S - Thick caramel malt, brown bread crust, iron, molasses, creamy marshmallow, prunes.

T - Roasted dark caramel malt, iron, molasses, vinous fruit-plums and grapes, nutty yeast, fresh ground brown bread, grainy bitterness toward the end.

M - Medium carbonation, syrup-like at times, dries off on the aftertaste.

A solid choice for a malty spring Dopplebock. This is widely available and priced right. Super malty and rough enough around the edges to keep it interesting.

Serving type: bottle

03-09-2012 01:30:34 | More by StaveHooks

MattSweatshirt

Texas

3.75/5  rDev -3.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Half liter bottle into a pint glass.
A finger of off whilte/light brown head settles down fairly quickly. Transparent deep deep red/brown body.
Toasted malt and caramel/ molasses sweetness dominates the smell.
You get the same load of sweet and roasty malt and caramel in the taste. Some breadyness.
Mediumish mouthfeel that goes down pretty smooth with modest carbonation.
Haven’t had a doppelbock since München in September and this brings me back. Hits the spot.

Serving type: bottle

03-07-2012 00:57:03 | More by MattSweatshirt

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

BrownNut

Florida

3.8/5  rDev -2.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - A nice brown with a hint of red. Nice head dissipates fairly quickly down to nothing.

S - Lovely wheat bran cereal

T - More malty lovely wheat bran cereal, something almost metallic but not, that... German lager taste, a bare suggestion of coffee, a nice little caramel sweetness. Nice booze in the back of the throat on the exhale.

M - Lighter than expected but a bit pleasantly sticky, some of which lingers on the tongue for a while afterwards. The tiniest prickle of carbonation on the tip of the tongue.

O - A little less substantial than I was expecting after some other recent German doppelbocks, but still decent and nice.

Serving type: bottle

03-01-2012 23:25:49 | More by BrownNut

pburland23

Pennsylvania

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

Poured from a 12 ounce bottle into my Gaffel Kolsch glass.

Appearance: Beer pours a cola colored brown with about two fingers of off white head. No lacing and not much in the realm of head retention either

Smell: Lots of grassiness and sweet malts. Touch of molasses.

Taste: Really nice tasting doppelbock. Sweet malt is the dominating flavor but it's well balanced and not overpowering. Little hint of bittersweet chocolate on the tail end. Smooth and full of flavor

Mouthfeel: The mouthfeel is full bodies. Not a lot of carbonation but it works. At 7.2% it's not sessionable but the alcohol isn't noticeable.

Overall: I love a good doppelbock and Optimator fits the bill. A malt lover's dream.

Serving type: bottle

02-24-2012 23:31:33 | More by pburland23

KuehneBe

Minnesota

4.48/5  rDev +14.9%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Poured from the 12oz bottle.

A: Absolutely gorgeous brew, with a color and depth I'd describe as dark red mahogany. Beautiful! The head is just right and surprisingly creamy. Quite the stunning view.

S: The smell somewhat reminded me of a sweeter, fuller pilsner with hints of fruit. Nothing too outstanding, but very pleasant.

T: Some strong honey, caramel and molasses flavors, with a distinct hint of iron or copper which actuallly works very well for this beer. The sweetness is not overpowering (thank god), and masks the ABV rather well. This is one tasty beer!

F: Not syrupy at all, with just the right amount of carbonation.

O: A fantastic Doppelbock, I'm definitely going back for some more!

Serving type: bottle

02-20-2012 17:44:37 | More by KuehneBe

ronniebruner

Arizona

3.4/5  rDev -12.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A very nice, somewhat ticker beer. The beer pours a nice golden brown hue with a steady amount of carbonation and lace. The aroma is of lighter fruits and grains. The beer tastes the same, with a hint of molasses and caramel in the mix, without the burn. Leaves an okay aftertaste after each swig and goes down relatively smooth for being a tad bit bitter. Not a bad effort, I would recommend.

Serving type: bottle

02-20-2012 02:44:11 | More by ronniebruner

IronLover

Pennsylvania

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

Deep red in color with orange and brown hues and perfect clarity. Poured with a thick off-white foam that quickly dissipated. Delicate, smooth, oily feel. Sweet caramel and toasted malts with dark fruit aromas, with bready and biscuit undertones. Flavors are much the same as aromas. Caramel and toasted malts with dark fruit through the front and middle, a bit of hop bitterness is introduced thru the middle, finishes very cleanly. Generally, very sweet, malty and very enjoyable.

Serving type: bottle

02-19-2012 21:16:45 | More by IronLover

bbHOP

California

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

Poured from bottle into Sam Adams turbolator

A: deep mahogany brown - 2 finger head with decent retention, not much lacing... nice, smooth looking beer

S: caramel malt notes, some honey, molasses

T: roasted malt with a sweet character of molasses and honey... bready and sweet. Some caramel and dark fruit notes.

F: medium to full body - but doesn't strike me as quite the mouthfull as, say, Salvator or Celebrator. Balanced carbonation, and a slightly dry finish - keeping things somewhat crisp, and not too syrupy. Really nice.

O: I always enjoy Optimator - smooth, easy drinking and very flavorful. I tend to prefer Salvator - but still, a good beer at a great value.

Serving type: bottle

02-15-2012 03:26:30 | More by bbHOP

KellyL

Illinois

3.4/5  rDev -12.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A: Dark brown, light tan head with no retention.

S: Roasted malts along with plum, moderate alcohol smell as well.

T: molasses, roasted malt, caramel, alcohol taste remains for a bit.

M: medium-high body, smooth on the palate.

O: it's a good beer, can't drink very many with the high-ish ABV. It's nice to have and sip with dinner... Or lunch as I did.

Serving type: on-tap

02-11-2012 01:40:41 | More by KellyL

ronzorelli

Texas

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

I love this brew.

Pours from the bottle into a glass with a beautiful mahogany hue, dark and mysterious.

Mouthfeel is silky and full. Very sultry and alluring.

Aroma is slight dried fruit and dark chocolate.

Taste is... Wow! Delicious and addicting. Lots of dried fruit in the hints, and reminiscent of a high quality barleywine.

A knockout!

Pairs well with a heavy, dark cigar. Enjoyed it with a JFR 770 LE and together, they were magic.

Serving type: bottle

02-11-2012 01:34:29 | More by ronzorelli

Darkmagus82

Montana

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

Poured from bottle into pint glass

Appearance – Pours a brown with a big billowy off white head. The head fades to a thin film, with some nice lacing on the glass.
Smell – Bready and sweet, with a heavy roasted malt aroma mixed with quite a bit of caramel.

Taste – Bready with a roasted malt flavor initially. This is soon met with some sweet brown sugar and caramel flavors in the middle of the taste. The sweetness intensifies at the taste experience advances with it leaving a very pleasant sugar flavor on the tongue as the last drops of the beer work their way down your throat. A nice dopplebock flavor.

Mouthfeel –The body is creamy and the carbonation is quite right. The body of the beer coats the mouth without too much stickiness; making it very drinkable. The carbonation only enhances the drinkability; it complements the thicker-smooth body with a lighter carbonation which tingles the tongue in just the right way.

Overall – Very drinkable and enjoyable. A classic dopplebock in my opinion.

Serving type: bottle

02-11-2012 01:24:31 | More by Darkmagus82

TempeBeerMan

Arizona

3.6/5  rDev -7.7%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a bottle into a nonic pint

A – Clear ruby brown with a half-finger head of small white bubbles that disappeared within seconds. Lacing? Non-existent. Not much to write home about here.

S – Powerful aroma of dextrin sugars and roasted malt. Some nuttiness also, but overall smells almost sticky sweet/syrupy.

T – Tastes like it smells with a prevalent dose of sugary caramel malts followed by a nicely burnt/charred grains. A bit of hop bitterness and spice at the end works to give a little crispness and help it from becoming too cloying. Balanced. Tastes better than it looks and smells. 7.2% abv almost undetectable.

M – Medium bodied. Low carbonation. The syrupy-ness in the nose comes into play here, but not enough to honestly be considered a flaw, and it works overall with the other characteristics.

O – A solid, if not spectacular double bock. I enjoyed it and I would drink it again, but not up there with the best I have had.

Serving type: bottle

02-08-2012 01:22:37 | More by TempeBeerMan

bubseymour

Maryland

2.9/5  rDev -25.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

appearance - dark red/brown and semi-clear. Nice 2 finger head.

Smell - very heavy and sweet smells

Taste - Definitely not a style that I enjoy much. Taste is srong and heavy with molasses and caramel.

Mouthfeel - full bodied

Overall - I don't think this beer works for me very well. Too much molassas/caremel and boozy flavor.

Serving type: bottle

02-05-2012 21:09:46 | More by bubseymour

VaterRoss

North Carolina

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

12oz bottle into tumbler, no BB date.

Pours a beautiful brown that reveals notes of red when held to the light. Head on the pour is quite nice and even has some bubbles cascading downwards, nice. Head goes down to a slight ring after a relatively short amount of time, even the rings goes away. First smell to hit is the "lager smell." Has a very prominent malty/grainy sort of smell.The taste is deliciously malty featuring some light roasted notes, some hop spiciness and a tiny bit of alcohol near the finish. Mouthfeel is medium weight and medium carb, features a sharpness in the initial feel.

This is an excellent lager that is very malty. I've really found myself enjoying dark lagers lately and this one is exceptional. Surprisingly drinkable and hides its slcohol well. Only thing that bothers me at all is the sharp, metallic mouthfeel.

Serving type: bottle

01-30-2012 01:22:30 | More by VaterRoss

Giggy

Michigan

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

Poured from a 12oz. green bottle.

A: Looked like a cola. A clear dark brown with a hint of red. Light tan to off-white head. Carbonation bubbles floating to the top.

S: Caramel, toasted malts

T: Slightly sweet, Molasses, lots of dark roasted malts, dark caramels and fruits. Slight hops bitterness that develops in the back of the tongue after the swallow.

M: Initially a heavier carbonation that disapears after the first couple of swallows leaving a smooth and creamy brew.

O: Ayinger Clelebrator is my most favorite Doppelbock and it is hard not to compare the Optimator to that beer. But I did enjoy it and would drink it. I will call it the little brother to Celebrator.

Serving type: bottle

01-28-2012 18:01:21 | More by Giggy

AllenJasper

Minnesota

4.03/5  rDev +3.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4.5

Bottle to Glass, not very cold.

A: Very dark red, one finger of off-white head that dissipated rapidly

S: Malty, floral goodness with a hint of skunk.

T: Roasted malt flavor with some zing.

M: Coarse

O: I know they aren't exactly in the same category, but i'm a bit of a noob, so i'll go there. I'll take this over Newcastle any day. This beer lives up to it's name, I feel optimized.

Serving type: bottle

01-26-2012 05:16:02 | More by AllenJasper

gc4hokies

Virginia

4.6/5  rDev +17.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Maybe because this was my first doppelbock I tried about 10+ years ago, but this one is on my list of all time favorite beers. There's something about the aroma and flavor that makes me think of oompa bands and alpine hats.

As I sit here writing this review, I have a glass of Ayinger along side the Optimator. And I realize the Ayinger is a higher "ranked" beer and it might be a more "refined" beer, but to my untrained palate, the Optimator just tastes better.

Ok, on with the review...

It pours a very dark brown with cherry highlights (very similar to the Ayinger - can't tell the difference). Nice frothy white head.

Aroma is wonderful. Dark caramel malt aromas and sweetness. Taste is dark fruits, raisin, with roasting caramel notes. Sweet malt is predominant with very slight hop bitterness. At 7.6 abv this packs a punch but alcohol is faint.

Overall, this is my standard for what a double bock should be. Delicious

Serving type: bottle

01-21-2012 00:51:11 | More by gc4hokies

flexabull

California

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

Pours a dark and clear brown color with a pretty nice head.

Aromas are of roasted nuts, yeast, and spices.

Taste is creamy up front, with some brown sugar sweetness. Light faint hints of banana, and spicy yeast. Caramel nuttiness, some bready grains, and a mineral hop finish.

Mouthfeel is smooth, with plenty of body, and nice subtle crisp carbonation.

Overall, a classic German Doppelbock that everyone should try. A very good example of the style.

Serving type: bottle

01-17-2012 04:25:57 | More by flexabull

gskitt

New York

4.18/5  rDev +7.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Enjoyed for the first time at a party. Have always enjoyed offerings from Spaten in the past. Pours a caramel color, not much head. smells of bread or brown bread, toasted. Malty, and even sweet. Taste is much the same, bready, biscuity, malty, brown sugar or molasses sweetness. Mouthfeel was o bit too syrupy for my liking, but that did not deter my drinking and liking the overall product. Will drink this again.

Serving type: bottle

01-16-2012 19:27:44 | More by gskitt

silentjay

Massachusetts

3.58/5  rDev -8.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

a dark mahogany amber with an off-white head that sticks at one finger and leaves minimal lacing.

toasted pumpernickel bread topped with molasses in the aroma. very malty, as the style would suggest with just a bit of alcohol in the aroma.

very bready, toasted, and grainy with some considerable caramel/molasses sweetness. a bit of herbal/spicy hops come through but barely balance the sweetness.

syrupy medium bodied with subtle carbonation and a lingering syrupy sweetness.

meh.. its good. it meets all the checkmarks for the style, but perhaps is a bit too grainy for my liking.

Serving type: bottle

01-16-2012 06:26:01 | More by silentjay