Ayinger Celebrator Doppelbock - Privatbrauerei Franz Inselkammer KG / Brauerei Aying

dar482

New York

4.68/5  rDev +7.1%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75

The color is a dark brown color, in the light which becomes brown and amber.

The aroma has caramel, coffee, and raisin. Pretty sweet and malt.

The taste follows with a round pack of flavor of roasted malt, molasses, and some rich raisins. The finish follows through with that doppelbock flavor of slight stickiness and nuttiness.

The mouthfeel is medium, but quite rich compared to other doppelbocks. The others I've had do not pack the huge delicious flavors as this, but along with that lager crispness in there too.

One of my favorite lagers and easily the best doppelbock out there.

Serving type: on-tap

05-19-2013 23:06:48 | More by dar482

mooseo

Pennsylvania

4.6/5  rDev +5.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75

On tap at Bridgewater's Pub in Philadelphia, PA.

A - Dark brown with a thin tan head.

S - Toasted bready malt, caramel, somewhat nutty.

T - Amazing taste. Burnt toffee, caramel, toasted biscuit, and dark fruits. Lots of sweetness up front, but earthy hops keep everything in check. Notes of chocolate and nutty malt come through as it warms.

M - Creamy, smooth, medium-full body. Crisp and clean with decent carbonation.

O - All of the flavors here are in perfect harmony with one another. This is an all-around excellent double bock.

Serving type: on-tap

04-19-2013 22:24:56 | More by mooseo

dpianka

Connecticut

4.7/5  rDev +7.6%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.75

date of tasting: 3/16/2013
place of tasting: Barley Vine
beer: Celebrator
type: Ale
style: dopplebock
brewery: Ayinger
glass: mug
temperature of beer: 55

Appearance: a beautiful rich freshly varnished mahogany

Smell: first hit: fruit leather, (sure this is a serious beer, but all beer is fun damnit) then onto rich caramel hops and banana

Taste: like someone decided to make a really complex banana custard. Pleasant pine undertones with almost a hint of Irish whiskey. As it warms up, rich grape takes over and is almost malty caramel kool-aid like.

Mouthfeel: a great balance of creamy and carbonation with slight preference to carbonation

Overall Impression: I could drink this. I will drink this. There is a reason a beer like this has already been rated so high. Beautifully complex, yet simply delicious.

Food Pairing: I had this with some Irish lamb stew and it really goes perfectly. This would also go with some bananas foster as silly as that sounds now. A hamburger or some bratwurst would be really yummy, maybe a pretzel and whole grain mustard. I’m hungry again.

Serving type: on-tap

03-17-2013 04:03:59 | More by dpianka

Bouleboubier

Pennsylvania

4.73/5  rDev +8.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Had only had this once, out of the bottle, years ago. Why haven't I had this again? Wow!

Among the darkest (if not THE darkest) and thickest-looking doppelbocks I can recall. The foam is a bit lighter than I would have expected (no roasted barley, just decocted?). Despite its appearance, it doesn't look like a (dry) stout. Looks heartier, that's for sure.

First impression of the smell is the unmistakably molasses, almost ginger snap aroma. Comes across like a dark, dense, molasses-y German bread with a bit of underlying dark fruit (black grape, cherry), and a kiss of alcohol.

While the taste, like the smell, screams "dark-toasty, lightly-spiced, dense, dark bread", I can't help but get a little peppermint(?!), as in, candy cane. Super rich-malty. The overall taste, maybe more than any other (German) beer, is that of "liquid bread". The body, for me, exhibits a filling-smooth, almost doughy quality. Perhaps it could be a little cleaner - but that's only what I'd expect from a lager. Can't argue with what this offers though. Such a rich malt character! - Dark-toasted bread - dark, but not roasty or bitter - bold molasses and background cherry. The depth of the malt flavor is excellent - sticks around on the palate for what seems endlessly.

This beer has some complexity but also very (unique) bold/loud flavors - more character and depth, but less clean than most. Whatever - I'm rambling here - it's a fantastic drink!

Serving type: on-tap

12-04-2012 18:07:14 | More by Bouleboubier

BlackHaddock

United Kingdom (England)

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

21st Oct 2012: Cafe De Grendelpoort in Valkenburg is now in ABT Allientie van Bier Tapperijen, the Dutch bar group of friends who promote good beer. Every month they have an on-tap beer (in each of the bars) never before seen on tap in The Netherlands. My luck was in because this lovely beer was the chosen one for Oct 2012.

I had quite afew during my three night stay in town: There are enough reviews of this on here already, but it is a cracking brew and I thought even better on-tap than the bottled version. Having it poured into the correct stemmed vase-like glass adds to the enjoyment as well.

Just a joy to find it on-tap!

Serving type: on-tap

11-17-2012 08:57:24 | More by BlackHaddock

denver10

Colorado

4.08/5  rDev -6.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Pours deep brown with a nice thick, frothy khaki head. Smell and taste is pretty much straight up raisin bread, minus the cinnamon but add some molasses. Flavor includes a nice creamy finish with a splash of some cocoa. A medium bodied to fuller, creamy mouthfeel. Overall, very nice. Glad I finally got to try this one and I will definitely try it again.

Serving type: on-tap

11-11-2012 02:24:01 | More by denver10

Holland

Pennsylvania

4.05/5  rDev -7.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A: deep brown color with a sizable tan head that leaves some froth.

S: banana and dark fruits along with sweet malt

T: again fairly heavy on the banana, but has a nice sweet and malty taste to go with the roasted flavors.

M: medium-heavy body with a pleasant carbonation that is just perfect for me. Not overwhelming or harsh at all, but gives the body a bit of a lift, still leaving it feeling smooth.

O: excellent beer, but I'm not a huge fan of the style. For the price, there are better beers to be had. Had this one at a bar on a chilly night, and it was great.

Serving type: on-tap

09-12-2012 22:23:30 | More by Holland

chiccabeer

Massachusetts

4.63/5  rDev +5.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

This beer is one of the best double bock beers. It has a milky smooth feel with a great flavor. It does not have a hard hitting flavor, but it keeps in a decent malty flavor that stays with you after you finish it. The smell is not intense, but smells slightly sweet. This is a good beer to have any time, but is slightly heavier so I would suggest you have it after a meal.

Serving type: on-tap

09-09-2012 23:11:53 | More by chiccabeer

kylehay2004

Florida

4.43/5  rDev +1.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Half finger head slightly hazy very deep amber/brown body. Aroma is very malt with amber and chocolate malts with brown sugar , yeast and dark fruit notes. Strong yeast and malt presence with this one complimented by brown sugar, cherry and strawberry notes. Relatively thick and creamy body and light carbonation. Overall this one is very dynamic and flavorful with an excellent, drinkable feel on the palate.

Serving type: on-tap

06-08-2012 00:07:11 | More by kylehay2004

DrinkSlurm

Connecticut

4.4/5  rDev +0.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured from tap into nonic at Republic in OKC. Pours a deep brown with an off white head and good sticky lacing. Smells of dried fruit, malts and sweet chocolate. Taste is fantastic! Dried fruit malts chocolate, maybe slight licorice?? I don't know, this is fantastic. So full of flavor and easy to drink. Its almost like a bock met an imperial stout...then sat around for a while.
All I can say is wow...go get one!

Serving type: on-tap

05-23-2012 01:01:30 | More by DrinkSlurm

RppIII

District of Columbia

4.9/5  rDev +12.1%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Appearance: This beer was served in a 10-ounce Chalice. The color is a deep yet translucent mahogany with a beautiful tan head.

Smell: Essence of molasses pervades this brew. Balanced against the refined fragrance of molasses is that of spicy phenol, sweet caramel, and a toasted malt character.

Taste: Beautiful and complex. The first property that takes ahold and hangs on for the entire ride is that of malt and molasses. Subtly, the essence of fig augments the flavor. Piercingly, hops enter to contrast the sweet foundation and create dissonance in this otherwise harmonious symphony of flavor. During the recapitulation, an essence of alcohol and grain are present to usher this dark nectar to an unceasing end.

Mouth-feel: Unable to break the grips of its captor (rich, full bodied, thick malt), the carbonation, fully infused, makes this beer smooth.

Drinkability: A nectar seemingly not meant for mortal palates. Divinely inspired!? The Germans can be thanked for making this brew available and thusly determining my only sustenance till the day I die.

Served on tap from Kilted Mermaid of Vero Beach, FL for a price of $5

Serving type: on-tap

04-23-2012 02:02:12 | More by RppIII

Durge

Connecticut

4/5  rDev -8.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Found this at McCoul's in Greensboro, North Carolina. It's a deep dark brown color with a modest off-white head and vague lacing. The aroma is modest malt with a hint of raspberry sweetness. The flavor brings on tasty chocolate- cherry malt with a light licorice undercurrent that balances it out. Very nice. It had mild carbonation and is medium bodied with a smooth smooth feel. In the end, this was a fun brew and easily recommended.

Serving type: on-tap

04-13-2012 04:18:39 | More by Durge

adjunctjonez

5/5  rDev +14.4%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

I've drunk thousands of beers in my time and generally it takes special beers for me to have an overwhelmingly negative or positive reaction. I have had Celebrator in bottle and thought it very good but recently had it on tap and was blown away, possibly the most enjoyable three glasses of beer I have ever had. Wont even bother to rate the various aspects, from the initial sniff to final drop it is one helluva beer, Sourced fresh on tap made a believer of me.

Serving type: on-tap

04-02-2012 17:28:15 | More by adjunctjonez

Cuttooth

North Carolina

4.9/5  rDev +12.1%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Dark brown appearance, but with a ruby hue when held up to the light. Very nice.

Smells of brown sugar, dark fruit, and some sort of candy. Big on the maltiness.

Tastes similarly, malt and dark fruits dominate, but there are many other flavors I can't quite pinpoint. Coffee and chocolate in the back end maybe?

Mouthfeel is great, one of the smoothest beers I've ever had in my life.

If you are going to try only one doppelbock, make it this one. Definitely one of the world's finest beers.

Serving type: on-tap

01-10-2012 22:18:46 | More by Cuttooth

Rifugium

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev -8.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

First had: ?

I have had this on tap and in bottles, but as to when and where I first had it, I do not remember. Probably Eulogy or something.

Cherry cola color, hazy and thick, with a decently-sized tan head that recedes quite a bit but still leaves a good coating of lace on the glass. Malty aroma, caramel, roast, cocoa and dark fruits. Taste of sweet malts and caramel, roasted grains and nuts, raisins and figs, a touch of chocolate; malt-dominant, but I still pick up a faint hoppiness in the finish. Medium-bodied, flavorful, and highly drinkable.

Serving type: on-tap

12-20-2011 03:38:41 | More by Rifugium

rand

California

4.83/5  rDev +10.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

From tap to stein glass

A: Pours dark brown, maybe a shade lighter than black, with a vibrant dark brown head. Little lacing remains under the weight of this viscous brew.

S: Notes of molasses and bready malts up front. A rich bouquet as touch of ripe fruit plays with the chocolate and alcohol notes.

T: Malt forward with flavors of molasses and toffee prominent. Rich, chewy, layered, the ripe fruit in the nose plays a bigger role here. A touch of hop astringincy adds balance, and all of the flavors work in harmony.

M/notes: There's a reason dopplebocks work as meal replacements, and this brew highlights why people can go weeks consuming nothing but this beer. The flavors are delicious, the complexion is satisfying. I try to keep this around as much as possible.

Serving type: on-tap

11-20-2011 01:13:09 | More by rand

bump8628

Oklahoma

4.38/5  rDev +0.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Deepest brown with a well structured tan head. Heavily malted with fig, toffee, biscuits, caramelized sugar, and raisin all present. Hops take the smallest edge off the maltiness and lend a faint earthy spice. Warming, but not boozy in the least. So much malt packed into less than 7% ABV, something American brewers have yet to master. A benchmark for the style and the little goat charm that comes on the bottles is icing on the cake.

Serving type: on-tap

09-15-2011 01:00:56 | More by bump8628

gerite

Alabama

4.03/5  rDev -7.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Had this beer served with a German meal. My glass had a rich dark, almost opaque brown color with a small head but good lacing. It was very smooth and easy to drink with a slight bitter aftertaste. It tastes a lot lighter than it looks. The flavors increase as the beer warms. I found this to be a very enjoyable beer and would order it again.

Serving type: on-tap

08-24-2011 01:57:50 | More by gerite

ModemMisuser

Indiana

5/5  rDev +14.4%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Had this on tap at Heorot a month or so ago. Amazing beer. I will definitely seek this out again.

Color is very dark - I'd say opaque black, but others have said no so much. Heorot is VERY dark inside, so it'd be hard to get a true color eval in there. Aroma, to me, was of sweet malts.

Taste, well... malty and wonderful and dark and... gah. Must find someone with this on tap within 100 miles! It's that good. I'd drive 100 miles for a pint right now.

Serving type: on-tap

07-06-2011 17:41:56 | More by ModemMisuser

socon67

New York

3.9/5  rDev -10.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - Brown with some red notes. Has a big bubbly foam like dish detergent. Poured into a siedel it left a thin amount of lacing.

S - The most prominent smell was of dried fruit, like prunes. Had a sugary scent like opening a jar of molasses.

T - Exceptionally sweet and malty. This one drinks very heavy. I've had this y
ears ago and remember how it felt like an imperial stout. The finish is has a hint of raisin.

M - Syrupy thickness and feeling like a meal, this is best enjoyed on its own, though each time I've had it was with dinner. This is a one and done beer.

O - The gold standard of dopplebocks and the perfect example of the style. Worth trying because it is so epic.

Serving type: on-tap

07-04-2011 02:35:17 | More by socon67

ryantaussig

New York

4.9/5  rDev +12.1%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

This is a top notch beer. When it comes to Doppelbocks, this one is king. The nose was the only thing that left me wanting. This beer can serve in so many functions. I consider it one of the best possible beers to cook with. It's exceptionally well balanced between malt sweetness and hop bitterness. Plenty of spice to it as well, but not so much that it throws it off balance, in fact it enhances the balance. I don't rave like this about many beers. This one is simply great.

Serving type: on-tap

07-03-2011 05:32:17 | More by ryantaussig

Airyk12

Oregon

4.35/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap at the Tap room, By the Bottle in Vancouver, WA.

Pours a deep brown with a ruby tinge. Small light-brown head that dissipates quickly and leaves a small ring around the edge.

Big malts in the nose, with caramel and hops. Very rich and bready.

Again, strong malts, a little sweetness, and some hops, with grains throughout. Rich, strong, and tasty.

Smooth and thick, very creamy, with a little carbonation dancing on the tongue.

This beer exemplifies the "meal in a glass" name for doppelbocks. very strong, and very rich, but approachable and smooth. Definitely a credit to its style.

Serving type: on-tap

05-01-2011 00:36:43 | More by Airyk12

KTCamm

New Jersey

4.03/5  rDev -7.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Served on tap in the "official" glass as the special brew at the SoNo Brewhouse.

Pours dark brown, good finger of white foam resides on the top. Dark fruity smell, some malt. Taste is clean and smooth - almost like a Scwarzbeir (sp?) with fruity tones. Smooth mouthfeel and carbonation. Quite tasty. Solid brew.

Serving type: on-tap

01-23-2011 01:13:53 | More by KTCamm

redzone3120

Delaware

4.38/5  rDev +0.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A - Deep dark brown color with a slight hue of red when held up to the light. Nice brown head though somewhat thin.

S - Nice dark roasted aroma. Hints of coffee and is similar to a stout. Very good!

T - You can taste the roasted malts and the hints of coffee and chocolate. Very complex flavors but finishes with a mild sweetness.

M - Smooth carbonation with a moderate body. Balances well with the rich flavors while not being too heavy. Great finish that has flavor but doesn't linger for too long.

D - Very drinkable. Well balanced, great flavor, and nice finish. Highly recommended.

Serving type: on-tap

01-21-2011 02:03:22 | More by redzone3120

wampahoofus

Pennsylvania

4.45/5  rDev +1.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Appearance: Dark brown, not quite black. Lots of cream colored head. Really nice lacing

Smell: Sweet and strong. The malt shines through in the aroma. A bit of molasses.

Taste: A nice, deep, sweet, rich, dark malt! Lots of flavor here. The malt has a deep molasses character to it.

Mouthfeel: Smooth and rich. The malt lingers on the palette.

Drinkability: What an enjoyable beer! With all of the craft beer movement focused on ales, it is nice to have such a wonderful lager beer to enjoy!

Serving type: on-tap

12-30-2010 04:30:33 | More by wampahoofus