Ayinger Celebrator Doppelbock - Privatbrauerei Franz Inselkammer KG / Brauerei Aying

northyorksammy

Ontario (Canada)

4.28/5  rDev -2.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Alcohol comes through on aroma and taste. Lovely chocolate brown color, foam, root beer aftertaste. Easy on mouth even with some initial bitterness. Mild roast overwhelmed by malt sweetness. Hint of nuts and chocolate, and pinch of fruit and spices. Great again in March 2005.

Serving type: bottle

03-23-2004 23:21:50 | More by northyorksammy

BuckeyeNation

Iowa

3.6/5  rDev -17.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Deep, dark brown with ruby highlights, capped by a massive, light brown, lumpy head that recedes relatively quickly to a thin, covering film. Not much in the way of lace. The aroma is predominantly of coffee and dark dried fruits (raisins, prunes and dates). It isn't as complex as expected, but is appetizing nonetheless.

The flavor is malty sweet, with molasses and coffee at the head of the line. Some alcohol is evident; surprising since the ABV is only 6.7%. I noted a slight metallic taste with the first few sips, but it faded soon thereafter.

The mouthfeel isn't bad, but isn't all that wonderful either. I was expecting more smooth creaminess, but didn't get it. Drinkability is good.

Celebrator is my first doppelbock so I wasn't really sure what to expect. Given the high ratings, I expected to like it more than I did. Don't get me wrong, it's a good beer, but it didn't come close to knocking my socks off. I do like the little goat charm though. Nice touch.

Serving type: bottle

12-02-2003 20:57:20 | More by BuckeyeNation

mikesgroove

South Carolina

3.93/5  rDev -10.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

A - Poured a rich ruby red brown, which was nearly opague but could still observe some light through. Big tan head, faded after a moderate time revealing a big layer of lace that stayed until the end.

S - Smell was very sweet, and thick. Robust would be a good word. Lots of caramel aromas here, even some hints at cofee, rasin, or perhaps a light chocolate interspersed with a nice smoked aroma.

M & T - The first thing I noticed was a sort of flat, slick taste. I was hoping for some more carbonation and a fuller feel. The first flavor to hit was a nice balanced smoked, roasted malt flavor. Very nice, with a good amount of bittering hoppiness backing it up, almost a hint of a cola flavor as well. Lots of good sublties here, very well rounded.

D - Overall the only negative I have is that it needed more carbonation to give a fuller feel and better set off the flavors. It was very drinkable however, as nothing overwhelmed you and it never came off as too thick. Very nice relaxing nightcap for me.

Serving type: bottle

03-29-2007 21:40:09 | More by mikesgroove

womencantsail

California

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

A: A 330 ml bottle poured into a mug. The beer is a dark, dark brown with some highlights of red. The head is small and light brown.

S: The smell is roasted malt, molasses, and a bit of caramel.

T: Now, I must say, that I've never been a huge fan of doppelbocks. This one, however, has a flavor unlike any other that I've had. A wonderful mix of roasted malt, caramel, and molasses to provide sweetness. The hops don't make themselves too known, but certain give some balance.

M: Moderate carbonation and rather on the full body side for a lager.

D: This beer is highly drinkable. It's still something I probably wouldn't sit down and drink four of in a sitting, but it's got some great flavors and the alcohol is very moderate.

Serving type: bottle

12-06-2009 06:21:24 | More by womencantsail

Thorpe429

Illinois

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

A: Cola-colored as it comes out of the bottle. A fairly-light cream head with minimum amounts of carbonation. In the glass, it's a deep brown that is nearly opaque. Lacing in decent amounts as it goes down. Additionally, bonus points for having by far the coolest bottle I have seen to date, completed by the plastic goat.

S: Rich, rich malt with underlying complexity. Slight sugars of dates behind a caramel scent.

T: Very rich--much like the nose--and slightly sweet. Hints of light molasses, although the malt dominates--in a very good way.

M: Excellent creamy texture with low to moderate amounts of carbonation. Extraordinarily smooth with little to no alcohol presence.

D: Exceedingly drinakble. Beautiful taste and fairly light in body, combined with a low enough ABV to be quasi-sessionable, this is an excellent choice for the summer months ahead.

Serving type: bottle

03-07-2009 17:36:51 | More by Thorpe429

ChainGangGuy

Georgia

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

10 oz. - $4.75 at The Porter Beer Bar in Atlanta, Georgia.

Appearance: Clear, dark brownish-red body with a thin, very thin, white head.

Smell: Sweet-smelling, raisin-packed aroma full of heavy caramel overtones. Slighter hints of fresh grain and unsweetened chocolate.

Taste: Sweet, caramel-covered grains followed by tons of raisin fruitiness. Minor chocolate hint. A few gingerbread crumbs. Light spicy hops and bitterness. More alcohol than you'd expect from 6.7% creeps into the semi-sweet, fruity finish.

Mouthfeel: Medium-bodied. Medium-plus carbonation. Sticky mouthfeel.

Drinkability: Ayinger's Celebrator Doppelbock, while we've had some wonderful times together, isn't exactly my favorite d-bock out there. I feel this way no matter how many little plastic goats it gives me.

Serving type: on-tap

01-01-2009 21:03:01 | More by ChainGangGuy

brentk56

North Carolina

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

Appearance: Deep brown, like a craft root beer, with a nice tan head. Little lacing.

Smell: Toasted malt; caramel notes with a bit of dried fruit

Taste: Lots of wonderful maltiness; chocolate, dried fruit and a bit of coffee. that just lasts and lasts; doesn't take long for the alcohol to assert itself; hops add a nice balancing note; the finish is sweet and slightly bitter

Mouthfeel: Nice and rich; modest carbonation and a lot of warmth

Drinkability: A wonderful sipping beer; take a little in your mouth, let it sit on your tongue and work its magic

Serving type: bottle

08-03-2004 22:58:35 | More by brentk56

UCLABrewN84

California

4.3/5  rDev -1.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Pours an almost opaque super dark crimson brown with a 1 inch foamy dark khaki head that settles to an oily film on top of the beer. Small streaks and dots of lace form around the glass on the drink down. Smell is of dark bread, wheat/grain, caramel, and some subtle cocoa aromas. Taste is of dark wheat/multi-grain bread, caramel, and some cocoa flavors on the finish. I am also getting some dark fruit flavors as the beer warms. This beer has a slightly crisp carbonation level with a medium bodied mouthfeel. Overall, this is a very good beer with a very nice set of flavors that work together extremely well.

Serving type: bottle

03-30-2012 05:41:46 | More by UCLABrewN84

Phyl21ca

Quebec (Canada)

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

Bottle: Poured a dark black beer with a huge foamy off-white head with excellent retention. I think I can smell vanilla and/or banana with some roasted malts. Taste is quite sweet at first with the banana/vanilla side coming out and then ends with a more alcoholic sweetness at the end (still cannot feel the alcohol thought). Very good, probably the best example of this style that I know of.

Serving type: bottle

08-23-2004 16:20:46 | More by Phyl21ca

BEERchitect

Kentucky

4.55/5  rDev +4.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

A beautiful specimen of the Dopplebock style.

The dark, dark brown beer pours with a soundful plop in the glass. Malty even to the ears. Nearly opaque with a medium, tan head that lasts the session. A good deal of lacing on the glass proves either to be too heavy or verly well malted.

Heavy toast without roasting in the nose. Rye breads, beer breads, grainy breads... the beer is all about the bready-toasty malts. Mild toffee and nuttiness come in late. Secondary scents of fruitcake and dehydrated fruits from cherries, apples, pineapples, dates, figs, and raisons swirl around a light rum-like sweetness. Promises greatness.

Outstanding flavors of the fruits, breads, and alcohols that are described in the nose transfer unadulterated to the taste but with less heaviness or boldness than expected. Still, the heavy emphasis is on the bready, melanoiden meaty flavors with a touch of soy-sauce aging. Toffee and nuttiness round on the the malts and make them identifiable.

The body can be summed up in one word: Malty. Of course the bready notes come full throddle with a creamy, robust, full texture. But all that seems to whisp away in a magical last second. Part of the beer evaporates while the otehr parts thin into a toasty-sweet beer that makes for remarkable drinkability.

Celebrator is one of the few true Dopplebocks the exemplifly the style to perfection. Could it use a bit more complexity on the fruits and a bit more balance on the lagered-oxidized front? Maybe, but no faults here.

Serving type: bottle

07-18-2005 15:41:43 | More by BEERchitect

oberon

North Carolina

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

Pours a nice deep brown with some red hints thru out nice medium slight off white head,aroma sweet and nutty.Many flavors from this beer starts out a little smokey with some nuttiness,it's finish is a little dry.Not nearly as sweet as some of the style to, wich is a good thing.This is a classic worthy of the high ratings it gets.

Serving type: on-tap

07-23-2003 21:26:31 | More by oberon

NeroFiddled

Pennsylvania

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

Known as Fortunator (and with an alcohol content of 7.2% by volume) except in the U.S., Ayinger's Doppelbock has become known as one of the classics of the style. Interestingly, one of it's essential ingredients - a light touch of smoked malt - is much more common to the northern region of Franconia than to the area south of Munich where Aying is located.
It pours a very deep mahogany with a foamy tan head that holds well. The nose displays a mild smokiness and some toasty breadiness that combines with a touch of alcohol to twist it into a more toffee-ish character. A velvety mouthfeel is derived from a medium body and a very fine carbonation. The flavor offers a luxurious maltiness that's fairly complex with notes of molasses, deeply toasted honey-glazed bread, dried dark fruit, mild leafy hop, and a very subtle smokiness. The rich, and somewhat sweet malt character is exquisitely balanced by a firm bitterness that remains in the wings as it crosses the palate, but then combines with the alcohol to dry out the finish. Some lingering malty notes of caramel and subtle bitter & smoky notes add to it's richness. Overall, a smooth, rich, deceptively strong and warming lager with a drying finish. The alcohol is well-cloaked and the smokiness is quite subtle, just adding a touch of character at the offest and then vanishing amongst the maltiness. Quite enjoyable!

Serving type: bottle

01-24-2003 18:35:08 | More by NeroFiddled

TMoney2591

Illinois

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

Served in an Ayinger Celebrator doppelbock glass.

It's taken me way the hell too long to review this, especially considering how long I've had and used the thoroughly proper glassware. It pours a lovely brown, complete with garnet highlights, topped by a finger of khaki foam. The nose comprises dark wheat, rye bread, pumpernickel, brown sugar, and nutmeg. The taste holds notes of caramel, cinnamon, rye bread, dark wheat, light molasses, and a touch of maple syrup. The maltiness is off the charts, in a very good way. The body is a hefty medium, with a light carbonation and a sickeningly smooth feel. Overall, one of the best doppelbocks I've yet had, and a true ambassador for the style.

Serving type: bottle

07-05-2010 20:50:07 | More by TMoney2591

feloniousmonk

Minnesota

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

A color as black as night, and a toasty tan head. Strong and seductive aromatics: sweet and candyish, with notes of toffee, anise, and cocoa, and a slightly burnt character that perhaps derives from the higher alcohol. Taste is huge with malt, highly warming (note the ABV), full, rich, and delicious. A perfect aperitif beer. Three things ring above all else: malt, coffee, and caramel. Solid, bold, and loaded with coffeeish flavor. One of the world's greatest brews.

Serving type: bottle

02-27-2003 19:28:44 | More by feloniousmonk

WesWes

New York

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

The beer pours a deep brown color with a thick tan head that eventually fades to lacing. The aroma is great. It is full of black and roasted malts; very malty. It has a creamy scent with hints of chocolate and nuts. The taste is also great. It goes down smooth with a dry, yet creamy finish. It has chocolately, roasted nut flavor that is very nice. This is the best Doppelbock I've ever had. The mouthfeel is good. It is a full bodied beer with adequate carbonation. This beer drinks very well. It has tremendous flavor; simply a fine beer. This is one that I will buy again.

Serving type: bottle

02-15-2004 23:06:06 | More by WesWes

drabmuh

Maryland

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

This is one of my favorite bock biers, probably one of my favorite beers of all time. I was shocked that I had not reviewed it. I recently picked up a four pack from a local liquor store as part of my beer photography project where I photograph beers in the appropriate glassware, I have a Ayinger Celebrator glass, so I poured it into the glass. This beer is dark, nearly black. Has a nice head and it falls away quickly. The smell is sweet like malt, it may be dark but there are no hints of any roasted malt, just some sweetness from the alcohol and the malt. No aftertaste to speak of, amazingly smooth. A great beer.

Serving type: bottle

08-26-2009 15:21:45 | More by drabmuh

Mora2000

Texas

4.33/5  rDev -0.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

The beer pours a hazy dark brown color with a nice tan head. The aroma is toffee, chocolate malt and some bread. The flavor is more complex with some dark fruit and roasted malt early in the taste and then chocolate and coffee later. Medium, slightly watery mouthfeel and medium carbonation. A truly world class beer.

Serving type: bottle

05-28-2010 03:51:12 | More by Mora2000

zeff80

Missouri

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

A - Poured out a solid black color with a foamy, caramel-colored, one-finger head. It left long trails of lace on the glass.

S - It smelled very sweet. There was also some roasted malt and caramel aromas.

T - It had a great sweet maltiness. There was also a good dose of chocolate flavor.

M - It was soft, creamy and smooth. A medium-bodied beer.

D - A really great dopplebock. It is very sweet and chocolatey.

Serving type: bottle

06-15-2007 03:27:08 | More by zeff80

metter98

New York

4.3/5  rDev -1.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A: It poured near black in color with just a few red highlights near the edge of the glass. A moderately-sized light brown head died down and only left a few bubbles floating on the surface.
S: There are smells of dark malts with some notes of chocolate, raisins and nuts in the aroma.
T: The taste is very malty and balanced--dark malts dominate the flavors yet there are subtle hints of caramel, chocolate and nuts. There is a bit of sweetness in the initial taste and some dryness in the finish.
M: It feels medium- to full-bodied and both smooth and thick on the palate.
D: It was very easy to drink this and the alcohol was barely perceptible. The beer is rather filling and drinking it almost feels like you're having a meal. I would definitely have it again (especially if I was hungry), although there's no way I could have more than one in a single session.

Serving type: bottle

04-23-2010 15:14:06 | More by metter98

Gueuzedude

Arizona

3.78/5  rDev -13.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

This beer starts out with a burnt fruit aroma, it smells a bit sweet. Dark brown to black in color. Supprisingly not as sweet as the aroma would suggest. A subtle mild burnt malt taste, with alcohol evident in the finish. Predominantly malty with a bit of hop bitterness evident. A hint of burn raisin flavor in it as well.

Serving type: bottle

08-26-2003 17:02:55 | More by Gueuzedude

TheManiacalOne

Rhode Island

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

Poured from a 12oz bottle into a pilsener glass.

A: The beer is a deep reddish brown color, with a large off-white head that fades slowly and leaves a thick lace on the glass.

S: The aroma is of dark fruit, chocolate, caramel, lager yeast and a touch of hops.

T: The taste is well balanced with flavors of chocolate, caramel and dark fruit up front. There's a hearty malt character that brings a nice, substantial breadiness. The hops presence is mild but complimentary. The after-taste is slightly sweet and slightly bready.

M: Crisp and smooth, medium body, medium carbonation, finish is very clean.

D: Tasty, goes down very easily, not too filling, decent kick, very good representation of style, this is a very nice Doppelbock to drink for a while if you're in the mood for the style.

Serving type: bottle

04-24-2008 03:16:59 | More by TheManiacalOne

russpowell

Oklahoma

4.78/5  rDev +9.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Pours dark mahagony with a decent tan head that drops to a healthy film. Very good head retention and lacing

Smell: Spiciness (licorice) and malt

Taste: Malt, licorice, light ginger and pepper. Doughy qualities, yum. Frutiness and dryness in the finish

MF: Complex and filling, Great carbonation levels, perfect, a drink and meal in one

Very drinkable and moreish. Been a while since I had this.
Highly reccomended, so happy that this fared this well despite a long journey from Bayern. the little goat packs a flavor punch!

Serving type: bottle

02-25-2006 05:29:14 | More by russpowell

Knapp85

Pennsylvania

4.33/5  rDev -0.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Celebrator has to be one of the best Doppelbock's I've had. This beer poured out as a really deep reddish brown color. The head was average sized but had a good retention to it. The smell of the beer was of rich caramel notes with some strong malt aromas. The smell is a little warming and inviting. The taste of the beer was had many of the elements that were on the nose, it was sweet upfront which faded into a nice caramel bitterness in the end. The mouthfeel was really well balanced between thickness and carbonation. Overall I feel that it's a must try.

Serving type: bottle

07-15-2011 19:26:19 | More by Knapp85

Halcyondays

California

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

11.2 oz., 330 mL, Euro brown bottle,

A: Pours a dark mahogany brown into a pint glass, with a nice, tan head to cap it off.

S: Very malty, some brown sugar, with a slight hint of smoke, some chocolate.

T: Very tasty, very malty, lots of brown sugar and just baked dark rustic bread. There is definitely a chocolate note to this beer, milk chocolate mostly, a beautiful, complex malt flavour that is a delight to drink.

M: Lighter than what I would expect for such a big beer, smooth and creamy, close to a dessert in a glass.

D: A great dopplebock, I'd rank it slightly below Salvator, but it is still a great lager beer, and the first truly great beer that I ever had, a beer that made me go, "Wow! That's good!", so it will always hold a special place for me, one of Ayinger's and Germany's best.

Serving type: bottle

10-05-2007 05:55:12 | More by Halcyondays

Gavage

New Jersey

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

Appearance: the color was dark brown with ruby highlights. 1/2" head fell to a surface foam in a few minutes.

Smell: the aroma was sweet, as caramel and hints of chocolate were detectable.

Taste: The flavor was very malty and softly sweeet. Caramel, chocolate, molasses, and prunes are balanced with a mild bitterness. Alcohol level is barely noticable on the tongue.

Mouthfeel: smooth at the start. The finish was also smooth, and the flavors lingered on the tongue for while after swallowing.

Drinkability: Nicely drinkable, and this is a great version of the style.

Serving type: on-tap

11-20-2005 13:12:04 | More by Gavage