Ayinger Celebrator Doppelbock - Privatbrauerei Franz Inselkammer KG / Brauerei Aying

bigrzman

Pennsylvania

4.58/5  rDev +4.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4

Black as coal, one finger deep yellow white head and opaque. I can't even see the bubbles. Hints of mollases, roasted malts, and grain are the smelling highlights. Wow that taste is complex where do I start? Toasted malt, coffee, fruit bread, and banana finished off with alcohol. Mouthfeel is heavy and coating like a good cough syrup. I can drink a lot of these just at my own pace. World class!

Serving type: on-tap

11-07-2010 17:10:04 | More by bigrzman

IronCitySteve

Pennsylvania

4.03/5  rDev -7.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

On tap at the Wexord Ale House.

A: Pours a dark brown color with some amber hues. Once finger foam head that dissipates to a film, little to no lacing.

S: Lots of dark fruit, molasses, roasted coffee, bread and caramel.

T: Very sweet up front and throughout the whole tasting. It is a decent blend of all the malt characters.

M: Very slick and creamy.

D: This is a very sweet tasting Doppelbock. Almost too sweet for me. It is a nice brew but a one and done for me.

Serving type: on-tap

10-08-2010 10:35:43 | More by IronCitySteve

nickadams2

New York

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

On tap at Ashleys Westland.

A_Deep mahogany with a thick creamy head that lasts untill the final sip.

S_Malty,bready,caramel. Has sort of an earthy "musky" Smell to it.

T_Very rich. Malt,caramel,plums,raisins. A little not of coffee in the finish.

M_Very thick and creamy. Full bodied.

D_Extremely drinkable. Has got to be the best Dopplebock I've ever had.

Serving type: on-tap

08-29-2010 20:10:53 | More by nickadams2

mjw06

Pennsylvania

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

The dark ruby glow of this beer, even without the light hitting it, is proof that you've stumbled upon a gem with this one. The taste was complex and balanced, nothing at all was overpowering or stood out. The sweet malt was of dark toasted nougat, caramel, and graham, with a little raspberry fruitiness. A little spice was evident at the tip of the tongue, but I was unable to identify it. The mouth was full bodied and had a tight and secure fit over all of the flavor that this brew is carrying.

Amazingly drinkable for all that it has. Truly a great beer. Can't wait for my next one.

Serving type: on-tap

08-10-2010 21:30:59 | More by mjw06

doppelbockrob

Michigan

4.97/5  rDev +13.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Looks almost black in a bar setting, but shows a dark ruby red color when held up to a light. Slight head and semi creamy look.

Smell is delightful. Full of rich malt with a chocolate/coffee undertone.

Taste is very balanced. The subtle flavors of chocolate, coffee, and hops do not overpower any single flavor. Smooth, and vibrant.

I love this doppelbock on draught, however I prefer this wonderful beer form a bottle.

Serving type: on-tap

08-01-2010 16:51:47 | More by doppelbockrob

jmhart

Georgia

4.58/5  rDev +4.8%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

On tap in Munich at the Ayinger brauhaus across from Hofbrau

Deep brown, almost black, in color with black cherry elements when held up to the light. Firm walnut head that fades quickly with minimal lace. The blackness of the color almost worried me. Darker than any German beer I have ever seen before.

Typical darkly roasted malt elements. Dark fruits come off most prominently. Rich prune with a strong coffee aroma and minor cocoa hints. The aroma is very rich and full bodied. The aroma alone will pull me back to this beer again and again.

The dark fruits that were present on the nose take a backseat in the taste, and the coffee and sugar/malt really come through. The taste is strong of caramel, but not sugary, and incredibly well balanced. Subtle hints of tobacco.

Velvety with a bite. Relatively minor carbonation, but present acidity. Smooth to consume with a long drawn out finish.

Overall a truly fantastic brew. The sweet, rich fruits of the smell combine with the rich roasted elements in the taste to make something very special. I will recommend this and consume it whenever I come across it.

Serving type: on-tap

05-03-2010 22:29:40 | More by jmhart

djbreezy

Washington

4.78/5  rDev +9.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

On-tap at the Beermongers in Portland, OR poured into a Saison Dupont 12 oz tumbler.

appearance - dark brown with a low head, moderate lacing

smell - dark fruit, raisins, dates, prunes, very complex and aromatic

taste - balanced malt with hints of dark fruit, very complex

mouthfeel - smooth and creamy, good body

drinkability - very smooth and enjoyable, did not fatigue the senses, complex, easy to drink

Serving type: on-tap

04-27-2010 13:52:58 | More by djbreezy

sixerofelixir

Ohio

3.93/5  rDev -10.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

On-tap, served in a nonic.

Looked decent, nice and dark brown with a thin head that stayed around. Smell was rather complex, with a fortitude of malts and fruitiness and spiciness coming to the front. The taste kind of surprised me as well. Very mellow and earthy, hints of leafy and dark malts. Quite bitter on the end, pronounced hop detail that can only lead to another drink. The only thing not 'good' about this beer was the odd bitterness, for some reason it did not sit well with me, but the drinkability remained good. Maybe it was the serving temperature or a carbonation thing, but I'm not convinced this is the be-all end-all of doppelbocks.

I'd like to sample a bottle under a bit more controlled conditions..

Serving type: on-tap

04-13-2010 05:18:23 | More by sixerofelixir

BeerGodz

New Jersey

4.85/5  rDev +11%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

On Tap @ Local 44

Look: Dark mahogany color, creamy beige head, light lacing

Smell: Malty, chocolate, roasted nuts, caramel

Taste: Up Front: Malt, dark fruit, burnt toast, toffee, vanilla. Finish: Chocolate with a slight fruity finish

Mouthfeel: Creamy and smooth

Drinkability: Keep em' coming!

Overall Impression: Had this one on tap and it was De-LISH! This beer has great depth to it, but it's not overpowering, so you can have more than one. Herr Rick took a sip of my beer and he liked it too!

Serving type: on-tap

04-06-2010 22:23:55 | More by BeerGodz

ChrisPro

Illinois

4.1/5  rDev -6.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap at Winking Lizard. It starts with the amazing aroma that smells of chocolate with slight floral hints. The head is fantastic as it pours a nice dark brown. Tastes incredibly balanced with a bit of sweetness, but the highlight is how smooth it goes down and the incredible finish. May be the best beer I've ever had.

Re-rated on 6/1/09: from Taphouse Grille in Bellevue.

Serving type: on-tap

03-29-2010 01:47:14 | More by ChrisPro

kingcrowing

Vermont

3.98/5  rDev -8.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

.3l poured into a celebrator glass.

Pours a very dark brown with a small light brown head. Nose is boozy and very malty.

Taste is mostly malt with some sweet licorce and nuttiness it's really good. Mouthfeel is fairlyrich an crisp. Easy to drink for the style.

Serving type: on-tap

03-26-2010 05:04:29 | More by kingcrowing

JMac311

North Carolina

4.72/5  rDev +8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Amazing doppelbock! Looks true to style with a dark rich color off the SRM charts! As expected from Ayinger brews, this bock is certainlynot lacking in flavor. Was extremely surprised to find this on tap, and could have sipped on these all afternoon. Excellent drinkability, certainly not overpowered by the above-average ABV. GREAT BEER!

Serving type: on-tap

02-21-2010 15:08:54 | More by JMac311

MrDanno96

Ohio

4.03/5  rDev -7.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A: Pours a very dark brown color - almost black wit just a touch of light getting in. A thin ring of off-white head circles the glass, but sticks around for most of the drink. Looks very manly (if that's possible for a beer). Nice.

S: Lots of roasted malts meet the nose along with notes of caramel and dark fruit. A little more subdued than I expected. As the brew warms the dark fruits become a little more apparent.

T: Similar to the nose, but better. Plum, raisin, hints of caramel, and roasted malt all hit the palate initially. There is some brewed coffee flavor to go along with some bitterness in the finish. As with the nose, the dark fruits become more prominent as the beer warms. Some hints of what I think are anise and alcohol surface as well. Fairly complex and flavorful overall.

M: A thick and fully body, boarding on chewy, with a medium amount of carbonation. I would expect nothing less from a dopplebock.

D: Obviously this is a great example of the style. I wasn't as impressed as I hoped I would be, but it's a solid drinking brew nonetheless. A high degree of complexity combined with the well hidden abv give this one a high drinkability rating.

Serving type: on-tap

02-04-2010 04:50:56 | More by MrDanno96

woosterbill

Connecticut

4.13/5  rDev -5.5%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

On-tap at Prime 16 into a 3/4 pint glass.

A: Clear, deep ruby body with just a whiff of tan foam that swirls quickly into a thin ring. Nice color, but I want some head.

S: Subdued but highly enticing aroma of sweet fruity malt - raisins stand out.

T: All maltiness. Starts out nutty and toasty, followed by smooth, rich fruits. Dry, woody finish. Excellent.

M: Fairly thick, sticky body with somewhat light, spiky effervescence.

D: Flirts with cloyingness (and is definitely overly sticky after a while), but it's too tasty to put down.

Notes: While I'm not a huge doppelbock fan, this is definitely a world-class example of the style. Highly recommended for maltheads everywhere. Good stuff.

Cheers!

Serving type: on-tap

01-27-2010 12:31:40 | More by woosterbill

leecschmidt

Pennsylvania

4.65/5  rDev +6.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

This was an excellent Dopplebock beer. Great from start to finish. Of course got even after I let it warm up a little.

Was served from draft in a thistle glass.

Has a nice dark color, small head with some lacing.

Good flavors, slight fruit flavors, with a nice taste of the alcohol yet very drinkable.

Serving type: on-tap

01-23-2010 12:47:33 | More by leecschmidt

OneDropSoup

Pennsylvania

4.7/5  rDev +7.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

On tap at 6 & Save in New Kensington, PA.

Poured in a Gulden Draak tulip, a dark brown, near black with lots of ruby highlights throughout. Thin wisp of head, mild lacing.

Smell is great: bold caramel & toffee, like a Sugar Daddy. Stand-out.

Taste is greater, as it carries that smell up front, then builds in complexity with a tingue of bitterness midway, combined with slight heat from booze. Finishes the mouthfull with a grape & peach-like fruity tartness, & then steps up again with the caramel & toffee int he aftertaste. Gains a barley-wine like toasty intensity with some warmth. Sweet & very complex, love it!

Mouthfeel start moderate with a little bite to keep it from being a flat dessert drink. Builds & gets creamy.

KA-BOOM! This is awesome. So great to get a flavorful, malty brew that goes through so many movements & is complex enough to stay interesting til the end. My first exposure to this was years ago, was an eye-opening experience at the time, & it's wonderful to see it's held up so well over time. Definitely my favorite representation of the style.

Serving type: on-tap

01-07-2010 23:35:08 | More by OneDropSoup

jampics2

Ohio

4.53/5  rDev +3.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

On tap at the Beer Engine. By far the best beer of the evening :)

A perfect ring of foam dissipates leaving a plum colored liquid. If this was Seinfeld and this beer sneezed, I'd say "You are so good lookin'".

Smell is awesome. Plum, figs, bread crust, caramel, brown sugar - it's all there.

Taste is exceptional. The classic to end the style - german malt, sweet baked bread, prunes, awesome.

Mouthfeel is the best. Classic. Perfect thickness and perfect carb. Creamy and sharp. Exceptional.

Drinkability? Ask me after the next one.

Serving type: on-tap

12-09-2009 16:21:11 | More by jampics2

rfgetz

Pennsylvania

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

On tap at Brauhaus Schmitdz

A: Clear carmel in color. Some ruby highlights. Quick plume of head, diminishing into nothing with little lacing.

S: Dark roasted malts, sweet dark carmel, some dark fruits.

T: Dark roasted malts, sweet carmel malt ending. touch of dark fruits.

M: Medium body, low carbonation. Decent coating and nice roasted aftertaste.

D: Excllent version of the Doppelbock. The malts are top notch and the ingrediants blended to perfection.

Serving type: on-tap

07-29-2009 20:30:10 | More by rfgetz

Kendo

New York

4.22/5  rDev -3.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

First review from 7/21/09:

A: Frothy off-white head over dark brown (almost black, actually) body that when held up against the light displays ruby highlights.

S: Toasty malt; slightly burnt scent.

T: Malty flavors dominant -- sweet, toasted bread. Also burnt charcoal or smoke. Very little in the way of hoppy flavors.

M: Medium-to-full-bodied. Slightly over-carbonated.

D: OK.

Second review, entered 6/27/11 after getting it on tap at Wolff's Biergarten in Albany on 6/24/11 and adjusting the scores accordingly:

A: Poured into a tall, thin glass - doesn't taper like a pilsner glass, but it's wider than a stange. Body is dark brown with a nice 1-finger light-brown head.

S: Toasted bread, chocolate malt.

T: Sweet malt - toasted bread, chocolate malt - and dark fruits. Notwithstanding that malty sweetness, it finishes fairly dry.

M: Medium in heft, nice and creamy in feel.

O: Very nice. Much better than the last time I had this on tap.

Serving type: on-tap

07-21-2009 18:26:53 | More by Kendo

HopBacchus

Massachusetts

4.2/5  rDev -3.9%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

A: Pours a beautiful dark dark brown color practically black beautiful to behold. A medium sized toffee colored head that lasted for a long time. Lacing is excellent.

S: Roasted malts and Carmel fill my nostrils along with chocolate.

T: Roasted malts and chocolate an almost cogniac like taste a strong aftertaste of bitter hoppes.

M: Excellent carbonation keeps flavors changing and interesting a pleasant medium body follows a slightly watery initial feel.

D: Eh, flavors are certainly pleasant and a medium body lets you know you aren't drinking just any lager however the bitter hoppe finish makes this brew filling and hard to swallow

Serving type: on-tap

07-21-2009 02:47:24 | More by HopBacchus

plaid75

New York

4.47/5  rDev +2.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

On tap at The Lark in East Northport, New York.

Poured a deep brown hue with a thin white cap. There was good retention and lacing.

The smell featured a heavy cereal grain, nuts, caramel and pumpernickle.

The taste consisted of layer upon layer of multi grain goodness. Doughy and crusty pumpernickle bread came to mind with a lingering, yet dry, caramel.

The mouthfeel was toward the fuller side of the style with a relatively dry finish.

Overall an incredibly enjoyable dopplebock. World class, but you already knew that.

Serving type: on-tap

07-07-2009 20:33:13 | More by plaid75

jbertsch

Massachusetts

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

Had this on tap at a local German restaurant with a delicious wurst plate complete with sauerkraut and potato pancakes.

Served in an stemmed stange Ayinger glass.

Appearance: Head was small, but the brew looked fantastic. Its primary color was a very dark brown on the interior, but with light coffee brown edges as the light hit it.

Smell: Malty-molasses goodness. Smokey, plus notes of coffee.

Taste: Roasted malty awesomeness. A little bit of dark fruit and nuts. You still taste some hops. What I love about it is how it's a complex beer without tasting cluttered.

Mouthfeel: I was afraid it would be too thick for its own good. But the mouthfeel is solid. It could have a bit more carbonation, but that was minor.

Drinkability: I didn't taste any alcohol so this goes down real easy. Well done.

Honest, well crafted, comprehensive, with a sense of history without at all tasting busy. Grab this when you can.

Serving type: on-tap

06-23-2009 02:03:19 | More by jbertsch

FloppyDog

North Carolina

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

Served on tap at the Flying Saucer in Raleigh, NC.

This beer was poured into a stemmed beer glass. It had a deep brown color and minimal off white head.

Initially the aroma was solely of subdued malt, but as it warmed and was swirled in the glass, I picked up raisin/prune notes along with a pleasantly subdued alcohol aroma as well.

The taste began with slight burnt (but not astrigent) malt followed by some toffee and hints of sweetness that lingered for a few seconds. The beer was medium-bodied and very enjoyable.

Overall, very rich in malt character, and a good representation of a doppelbock.

Serving type: on-tap

06-04-2009 04:42:04 | More by FloppyDog

callmemickey

Pennsylvania

4.25/5  rDev -2.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A: Rich brown body. Dense looking. Khaki foam on top maintains nice levels and consistent lacing

S: Roasted malts. Black strap molasses. Rich fresh baked bread. Sweetness.

T: The black strap molasses character dominates with subtle undertones of caramel, bread, biscuits, roasted malts and a dash of cream. A tiny bit of alcohol as the beer warmed.

M: Smooth. Silky. Lower carbonation levels work well here. Nice finish.

D: The overwhelming sweetness becomes cloying... by the end of this glass I was done with this... however... i'd return to one in another session for sure.

Serving type: on-tap

05-16-2009 04:39:12 | More by callmemickey

BigIrishman

New Jersey

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

Poured into oversized wine glass

Had this at Porter's in Easton, PA. Poured pitch black with a one fingered head, no lacing. Smells of yeasty bread with dried fruits. Taste is very nice, very bread like with dried fruits in background and really nice finish. Mouthfeel is pretty thick, very nice for a doppel. This is a heavy beer I can have a few of, very smooth without the smallest scent of alcohol.

Overall my favorite doppelbock, absolutely outstanding.

Serving type: on-tap

02-20-2009 03:45:13 | More by BigIrishman