Ayinger Celebrator Doppelbock - Privatbrauerei Franz Inselkammer KG / Brauerei Aying

rgdgerard

Texas

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

A nice head forms from a standard pour into a pint glass, which rapidly dissipates to a thin rim of fine bubbles. Toasty, malty and smooth, with very creamy mouthfeel. Tiny bubbles on my tongue, and a mild hops flavor. Nicely balanced.

I could drink a lot of this beer, and wish I could find it on draft somewhere, anywhere...

Serving type: bottle

05-06-2008 16:41:28 | More by rgdgerard

TheLocust830

Connecticut

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

The guy at my liquor store told me that I NEED to try this beer, and now I understand why. The first sip actually made me grin with joy at finding such a beer. I am sitting here drinking it now straight from the 330ml bottle.

The taste is strongest just after swallowing and is good malt with a taste of hops if you try to taste it. It's not nearly as strong as other doppelbocks I have enjoyed, but is by no means weak. The slightly hoppy aftertaste does dissipate very quickly though, but that's OK with me seeing how I prefer a malty taste.

Very clean and refreshing while it is in your mouth, and very thirst quenching. I almost think it might be a little too thin for a dark beer, but it doesn't seem to detract from the taste, so I guess that just means that one can drink more without getting full

A top of the line beer from a top of the line brewery.

Serving type: bottle

12-25-2005 01:15:22 | More by TheLocust830

LiamMcFee

Florida

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

A - Very dark pour, nice caramel head.

S - A lovely sweet chocolate caramel coffee malt.

T - Sweet, but not too much, and the chocolate/coffee flavors come out on the palate as well as in the nose.

M - Velvety, but not thick.

D - Very drinkable, but watch your enthusiam because they ain't cheap!

Serving type: bottle

06-25-2007 15:29:37 | More by LiamMcFee

Dopplebock

Rhode Island

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

Although served from the bottle, this beer has it all! A wonderful malt fragrance carries the dark mahogany colored liquid as it pours into the glass. The mouthfull combines chocolate and caramel malt with a minimal hop presence. Smooth as silk, this dopplebock has an exceptional drinkability. The finish is moderately sweet with hints of vanilla. This beer is for one who truly wants complex levels of flavor! Let it warm to room temperature (recommended), and you open yet more complex flavors. I am not sure I've even experienced the full palate of flavors in this exceptional brew!

Serving type: bottle

11-11-2007 16:52:50 | More by Dopplebock

Nucleozoid

New Jersey

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

Poured in a .5 liter glass mug.

Appearance - assertively poured, it produced a nice off-white two finger head. Dark brown body Slight lacing noticed as it settled.

Smell - Nice subtle molasses aroma

Taste - Outstanding flavor, detecting raisins and molasses in its brown malty character.

Mouthfeel - Smooth body with low carbonation.

Overall, a terrific doppelbock - I'll certainly try to keep a four pack of this available in my fridge on a regular basis.

Serving type: bottle

01-19-2010 21:13:27 | More by Nucleozoid

feedmechili

Kansas

3.55/5  rDev -18.8%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Dark brown with light brown head that looks like toasted marshmallows. Not a lot of aroma, but there is fruit (raisins) and alcohol. Flavors of bitter chocolate and dry fruit abound. The alcohol aroma doesn't translate into a strong alcohol taste. Good, heavy doppelbock.

How can you tell if your Celebrator is fresh? Nothing on the bottle or four pack indicates the bottling date. The ABV is not high enough to preserve it forever. The taste and smell of bad Celebrator can be summed up in two words: Rotten tomatoes.

Serving type: bottle

02-23-2010 19:57:24 | More by feedmechili

iso

Florida

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

Appearance: Deep dark mahogany color with a large tan foamy head that has great retention. Even before your first sip, you can tell this beer has a lot of character.

Smell: Predominately malt and molasses with a slight roasted aroma.

Taste: The roasted notes from the smell are evident in the taste. Absolutely delicious malt flavor.

Mouthfeel: Thick, and heavy. The carbonation is deftly executed to achieve this and is a match for the taste.

Drinkability: You'll know right away that you have something special on your hands with this beer.

Serving type: bottle

11-02-2010 07:40:43 | More by iso

pinni

Indiana

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

A: Comes in a bottle with a little plastic ornament dangling on a red string. Poured, slightly cool, into a pint glass. This beer is dark, nearly no light gets through this deep, dark, amber-brown liquid. It's a sight to behold.

S: The smell is my favorite part: Dark fruit, rasins, some woody-nuttiness. YUM.
Taste: You get that dark fruit and raisons, a sweetness with a little bit of alcohol and a lingering coffee in the finish.

O: What a delightful beer. I would definitely get another for a special occasion, definitly a celebration in a glass!

Serving type: bottle

06-22-2011 02:43:51 | More by pinni

Bishop_Collar

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

Appearance: Beer poured a cola color with a quarter inch tan head. Nice carbonation was noted. Good lacing was present. Nice swirl of carbonation left on top as it was consumed.

Smell: Roasted malt aroma noted. Caramel and chocolate notes more apparent as the beer warmed.

Taste: Nice malty flavor, not bitterness to speak of. More chocolate flavors noted near the end of the glass.

Mouthfeel: Really creamy mouthfeel that coats the tongue. Carbonation is good as well.

Overall: A smooth creamy beer. Liked the malty, chocolate flavor without the bitterness.

Serving type: bottle

08-01-2012 00:22:47 | More by Bishop_Collar

fuchebu

Pennsylvania

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

I tend to find myself at Ludwig's Garten quite often for those German draught beers. The Celebrator is one that they rotate often. They had it last week when I made my last visit. The bartender brought me my half litre. The dark copper hue was apparent as enough daylight poured through the window of the bar.

There is a bit of butteriness in the nose. It has a sweetish caramel aroma that entices the drinker. I slowly take a few sips and notice a better than expected balance to the beer. The malts give it a sweet nuance but the hops are also noticable. The beer is full bodied but not too heavy as to discourage consumption. It would be easy to drink a few of these guys. I don't like this as much as Salvator or Maximator but it's still a treat whenever I find it on draft.

Serving type: on-tap

11-02-2003 19:01:29 | More by fuchebu

stormstarter28

Oklahoma

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

This is my first doppelbock, and it has certainly set the bar high. Huge, fluffy brown head that tastes chocolatey and smooth and lasts for the entire glass. Very strong, complex flavor, chocolate, coffee, malt, etc...the flavor doesn't stop. So much going on it disguises the alcohol taste wonderfully, even though it has a high ABV. Wonderful to the last drop. Certainly a new favorite of mine!

Serving type: bottle

08-25-2007 04:52:56 | More by stormstarter28

sketchcornwell

Maryland

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

Poured a dark redish brown with ruby highlights when light passed threw. Two finger head that lingered. Smell of coffea and chocolate. Taste was initialy sweet with a slightly bitter finish. Smooth with alchohol lingering but not for to long. A slow sipper. I could enjoy more than one of these at a time and would definitly drink this again. I'm a big fan of a dopplebock and I can see these becoming one of the top ones for me.

Serving type: bottle

11-06-2007 18:02:12 | More by sketchcornwell

bisoubisou

Pennsylvania

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

Doesn't taste like 6.7% at all. Nice balance of not-too-sweet maltiness, crispness, and body. It also doesn't taste as dark as it looks. Caramel hits the nose and mixes with a butterscotch note with each sip. My life has improved thanks to this beer.

Serving type: bottle

02-18-2008 05:31:12 | More by bisoubisou

CaptainPascoe

British Columbia (Canada)

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

A: Dark, Rich deep Mahogany wood, tan head

S: Rich Molasses and dark dried fruits

T: Delicious! The Fruity Molasses comes through, with bitter sweet notes of burnt Cocoa beans

M: Fills the mouth completely, every taste bud feels utilized

D: Very drinkable. Heavily flavoured beer without being heavy on the palate. A wonderful beer

Great packaging for a great beer

Serving type: bottle

08-12-2008 07:09:50 | More by CaptainPascoe

bvburnes

Nevada

2.55/5  rDev -41.6%
look: 5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2 | feel: 4 | overall: 2

Being of fan of Bocks, I was fully prepared to love this ubiquitous doppelbock. I bought a four-pack a week or so before Christmas; My kids had great fun hanging the little plastic Rams on our tree.

You know, I'm not sure if I just got a couple of bad bottles or if this style is just not for me, but the first bottle out, I quite liked. It was kind of sweet and malty, smelled great, felt nice going down--quite satisfying.

Then the next bottle was entirely disappointing. There was a slightly funky smell to it, and an even funkier taste. Bottle #3 was the same. I couldn't bring myself to even open Bottle #4. Did I finally experience skunked beer? I thought that was more common in highly hopped beers.

At $10 for the four pack, I hate to try it again for fear of wasting my hard-earned beer money.

Serving type: bottle

01-10-2009 16:31:05 | More by bvburnes

BlackBeerPirate

Illinois

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

One of my old favorites.
Dark cola brown in color. Warm hues show in the mostly clear opacity of this fine beer. Rich, caramel tones, roast nutty, Chocolate-malted tongue. Sweet malty nose, with good body, and tall creamy head. Smooth mouth feel bock that has a nice kick to it that puts a monk's smile on my face.

Serving type: bottle

02-17-2011 05:31:39 | More by BlackBeerPirate

sourdoughsteve

California

3.95/5  rDev -9.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

Had to give this a try after reading the reviews here. Found it with little effort at a local wine emporium. Tad expensive, but good beer worth it.

Poured into a chilled pint glass.

A: Dark brown with a good bit of head on it. Head disappeared fairly rapidly

S: At first, the typical "lager-y" scents, then a bit of the caramel and fruityness began to arrive. The fruityness increased as the beer warmed.

T: Nice malty blast. Maybe a teeny bit over-roasted though. That bitterness subsided with each sip. Became more balanced as the glass emptied.

M: Thick-ish but not bread-like. A bit of carbonation evident.

D: Serious innard-warmer here. Not something for everyday consumption though. A special occasion beer perhaps?

Serving type: bottle

04-22-2009 18:00:52 | More by sourdoughsteve

rijanyoung

Colorado

4.88/5  rDev +11.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

This beer is wonderful, it has a wonderful oaky flavor. It is deliciously dark red, and is really well balanced, i felt like all of the flavors really complimented each other to give a very powerful flavor!

I am usually not a huge fan of the bock, but this really surprised me! top notch, well done!!!

Serving type: bottle

09-29-2009 00:11:12 | More by rijanyoung

perrinvv

Michigan

4.8/5  rDev +9.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Very dark beer with nice carbonation. Beautiful dark tan head and fizz long after pouring.

Smells like coffee and chocolate like you would expect but stronger. Very strong, pleasant aroma.

The taste is phenomenal. The chocolate and coffee flavors that you can smell mix with something like molasses that leaves a slightly bitter aftertaste in your mouth that reminds you of the awesome sip you just had. The carbonation makes the beer feel lighter in your mouth. As a result, this beer seems especially drinkable for being a strong beer.

If ever presented with the opportunity to try this beer, its a must!

Serving type: bottle

07-01-2010 22:34:40 | More by perrinvv

flatspin187

Kentucky

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

This was probably my 4th different dopplebock that i've tried.. The color of the beer was like anyother typical dopplebock.. nice and dark, but not too dark.. The smell.. man gotta love the smell of a dopplebock.. And as far as taste.. it was so far the best dopplebock i've drank... I would recommend trying it.. It is a good beer to just sit back and enjoy with a good meal...

Serving type: bottle

01-23-2006 00:46:11 | More by flatspin187

SJI

Pennsylvania

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

This strong lager just might be the ultimate beer - and I tend not to be a lagerhead. At 6.7% the ABV is at the low end of the range for Doppelbocks. So the alcohol presence is not overwhelming, as it can be with some versions of this style. The taste and appearance become one, as the smokey carmel sweetness is bespoken by the creamy tan head and dark reddish-brown body. Enjoy this one in a proper vessel - brandy snifter - to enhance its regal qualities.

Serving type: bottle

11-09-2008 22:32:56 | More by SJI

eepopporkahah

New York

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

A - Dark, ruddy brown, barely opaque when tilted and held up to a light.
S - If any of you remember Faygo's Chocolate Pop, it smells like a grown-up version of that, rich and sweet and warm, a very comforting aroma.
T - Bitter but with a milk-chocolate sweetness that complements and even slightly overwhelms the balance but by only the smallest measure. It ends with a lingering whiskey-like complexity and then a clean almost mossy-sweet finish full of damp soil and toffee. (Can you tell this is a favorite of mine...?)
M - The beer itself has a rather light body. However, upon taking the first sip, one's mouth is coated with a wave of tiny bubbles. Once they dissipate, the more subtle notes of the flavor emerge.
D - As far as doppelbocks go, it's a pretty heavy experience. More Christopher Marlowe's Faust than whatever episode of The Simpsons happens to on, if you know what I mean.
Bonus - The fantastic little goat charms you get when you buy Celebrator. It's like the bygone era when Cracker Jacks used to have good toys in them...also, you get drunk, so, all in all, an awesome beer and a great experience.

Serving type: bottle

06-07-2007 23:08:39 | More by eepopporkahah

blackkristos

Maine

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

Well, it's Celebrator after all. Mmmm. This beer is certainly one of my favorites of all time. A great, sweet-ish taste and a wonderful smell. How how I long for the days when I could get Ayinger on tap....

Oh and add an extra 5.0 for collecting goats.

Serving type: bottle

05-06-2008 18:44:20 | More by blackkristos

DeliriumDuck

North Carolina

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

Beautiful head that crowns after it's left to sit for a while, nice lacing.

Licorice and roasted coco with hints of caramel in the aroma.

Earthy malts with licorice and a light espresso touch. Smooth creamy caramel finds it's way into the background. Finishes like a Latte due to the light foam residing on the top of the beer, which is remenisant of a roasted marshmellow.

A richly complex and balanced beer that I would love to always have on hand. Tastes even better in my Celebrator glass.

Serving type: bottle

12-02-2008 07:26:13 | More by DeliriumDuck

benwah22

Florida

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

Enjoyed this delicious brew from the bottle into a .3L Celebrator Dobbelbock specialty glass. Pours the color of Coca Cola - black with the slightest hint of dark brown in the light. Tan head that disappeared rather quickly.

Good mouthfeel. With a beer this dark you just expect a creamier mouth feel, but still good nonetheless. Not a whole lot of aroma, but wow, what a taste. Malty, coffee, dark chocolate, burnt caramel but not overly sugary. A smooth finish with a hint of bitterness.

My tip, let the beer warm slightly. Not room temperature, but definitely not straight from the fridge. It really helps the complexity of this beer stand out. And let's face it, if you can get a Ayinger Celebrator specialty glass, it definitely tastes better.

EDIT: I let this warm pretty significantly and the taste just became incredibly complex and the mouthfeel changed substantially. It was almost syrup like and the flavors you needed to flesh out before just hit you over the head. Great stuff.

Serving type: bottle

05-05-2009 01:16:15 | More by benwah22