Ayinger Celebrator Doppelbock - Privatbrauerei Franz Inselkammer KG / Brauerei Aying

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

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

LennyV

New York

3.83/5  rDev -12.4%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Purchased a mini growler from Halftime. Pours a dark mahogany into my La Fin Du Monde tulip. Little tan head wih no lacing.

Smells malty sweet.

Tastes as it smells malty and sweet with a smoky dry finish.

Feels wonderful in the mouth. Perfect mix of carbnonation and body.

I could drink this brew all night. It is sooo smooth.

Serving type: growler

12-09-2008 03:43:21 | More by LennyV

glid02

Georgia

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

Finally revisited this bad boy at the Brick Store in Atlanta.

Pours a clear dark brown color with dark ruby highlights. The head is two-fingers of cocoa-colored foamy goodness that slowly recedes into a wispy layer of bubbles on top and a medium-sized ring around the glass. Lacing is decent.

Smells of molasses with hints of chocolate and biscuity malts.

Tastes great. Molasses and sweet malts up front followed by more robust malt flavors, roasted and bready, ending with a hint of dark chocolate and a bit of bitterness. Very well balanced, very complex.

Mouthfeel is good. There's a good thickness that combines with a grainy carbonation that really goes down easily.

Drinkability is good. I polished off one of these in a hurry, and the complexity is such that I could have three of these and find something new in each one of them.

Overall there's not much more I can say. This is a very complex beer that is very well done.

Serving type: on-tap

11-23-2008 04:07:02 | More by glid02

corby112

Pennsylvania

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

Draft at Teresa's in Wayne, PA

Pours a very dark brown with foamy tan head that forms a lacing that lasts throught the whole glass. Malty aroma with hints of chocolate, toffee and roasted coffee. Very quaffable, smooth and easy to drink with malty chocolate flavor, caramel, toffee, and roasted malt.

Serving type: on-tap

11-20-2008 23:04:19 | More by corby112

ThirstyBird

Germany

4.55/5  rDev +4.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Poured at Julians in Providence RI into a snifter
Appears super dark brown with a touch of amber when held to the light. Pretty light tan head lasts for a bit then eventually falls to a nice slim coat. Course lacing all the while.
Smells of dark fruit. It was a bit cold at serving so will get more as it warms. I smell a touch of vanilla as it warms.
Tastes of sweet dark fruit, toasted malt, liqueur, butterscotch. Delicious
Mouthfeel is medium, silky smooth. Low/medium carbonation with subtle bubbles.
Excellent drinkability for a dopplebock. It is so good in the colder months. A real treat to try on tap!

Serving type: on-tap

10-30-2008 02:16:48 | More by ThirstyBird

bonbini26

New Jersey

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

A- It pours a very deep mahogany with a foamy tan head that holds well.

S- 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.

T- 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. Some lingering malty notes of caramel and subtle bitter & smoky notes add to it's richness.

M- A velvety mouthfeel is derived from a medium body and a very fine carbonation.

Overall, a smooth, rich, deceptively strong beer. I recently had this at a restaurant paired with duck and it was simply amazing

Serving type: on-tap

10-16-2008 18:34:36 | More by bonbini26

atsprings

North Carolina

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

Served in a chalice a not quite opaque black w/ ruby highlights . The beer is topped with a thin head that diminished to a thin layer and left spotty lacing. The aroma was a nice blend of brown malts, chocolate and roasted nuts. The taste was a wonderful array of malts with lingering espresso bitterness. The beer was medium bodied with warming alcohol and decent carbonation. This beer has always been very enjoyable, and it's even better on draft.

Serving type: on-tap

09-24-2008 17:46:41 | More by atsprings

ClavisAurea

New York

4.65/5  rDev +6.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Consumed from the tap in a Celebrator glass.

Appearance: dark chestnut brown, slight head and very fine lace. It would have gotten higher marks if it had more head.

Smell: molasses, caramel, sweet, brown sugar and malt

Taste/Mouthfeel: spicy hop flavor profile, complex sweetness, molasses, smooth in the finish, lingering sweetness

Wow, like dark heaven in a glass. Can I have some more please. I was very impressed that I found it on tap. It was at Tizley's Euro Pub in downtown Poulsbo, WA.

Serving type: on-tap

09-07-2008 23:39:45 | More by ClavisAurea

Cyberkedi

Georgia

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

This comes out of the tap a deep, opaque sable, almost like a stout or porter rather than a bock. Rich, malty aroma has undertones of chocolate and roast coffee. Flavor is smooth and malty, with some hop bitterness and a mocha undertone. There are hints of sweet, nutty and caramel flavors as well. Texture is smooth and pleasing, making for one lip-smacking bock.

Serving type: on-tap

08-31-2008 00:09:52 | More by Cyberkedi

drpimento

Wisconsin

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

In the court of the prince of beers... Man, this is a bulwark of dopplebocks. One of the very best. This one is an interpretation that is earthier and a bit more scrappy. Perhaps even a little more drinkable than the original dopplebock. Poured wth a nice tan head, fine and a bit creamy. Dark almost opaque brown. A little crisper in the mouth with excellent carbonation. A nice smokey character. Just enough bittersweetness to make you want to have another swallow. Beer at its best!

Serving type: on-tap

06-08-2008 20:18:22 | More by drpimento

hustlesworth

Ohio

4.45/5  rDev +1.8%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A- dark clear chestnut brown. creamy beige head is short lived and leaves a small amount of soft lace which dried gently into little specks.

S- roasty malt and burnt brown sugar, a touch of cocoa, raisin, toasted nuts and some coffee.

T- cocoa, molasses, soft dark fruit, and a nutty sweetness get cut in the middle by rather aggressive hallertau hops, much more so than other examples of the style, and coffee flavors. a sort of rye sourness appears next leading into a dark chocolate finish. all the doppelbocks i've had are big malt bombs, but the generous hopping of the celebrator balances things out, greatly appealing to my tastes.

MF- cocoa powdery initial feel, density seems to open up a bit as it goes down smooth like velour with medium low bubbling.

D- my best overall bock experience so far, the official gold rimmed glass makes it even better.

Serving type: on-tap

04-07-2008 05:48:21 | More by hustlesworth

adamette

Ohio

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

On tap, expertly poured at Chef Paul's Bavarian House in Lisle, Illinois, my favorite place to drink beer in the world.

A Excellent dark, deep brown body with a frothy golden head. This was served in a Celebrator glass complete with the logo of the goats on the side.

S Molasses, deep, pleasing smell

T Tremendous, complex, molasses taste. A lot going on with the taste. It took me to the end of the glass to fully absorb what I was experiencing.

M Complex but smooth

D Although it is strong with high ABV it is an experience that you want to repeat.

Serving type: on-tap

03-29-2008 16:02:31 | More by adamette

mobettabeer

California

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

I was fortunate to have this beer on-tap and have also had it in the bottle. Both are extremely good. This is by far one the best doppelbocks I have had. It has a nice dark color. You can definitely pick up aromas of caramel, coffee, and chocolate. It has a nice feel to the mouth-smooth but to not to thick. This beer has a lot of character for a 6.7% abv and is affordable.

Serving type: on-tap

12-28-2007 23:48:46 | More by mobettabeer

illidurit

California

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

On tap at The Red in Santa Cruz. Poured into the official Celebrator glass. Deep brown with ruby highlights and a fluffy light brown head that sticks around forever.

Yeasty, malty aroma with coffee grounds and dried fruit.

Toasty sweet malt flavors abound: coffee, milk chocolate, molasses, caramel. There is a slight hop flavor and a slight pepperiness. Fruity esters come into play with warmth.

Modest carbonation results in a big chewiness. Smooth and sweet. Drinkability is great.

Serving type: on-tap

12-27-2007 04:13:50 | More by illidurit

johnmichaelsen

Oregon

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

Had not seen this beer on tap for a while, so was quite happy to see it at Frisco's the other day.

The beer pours a dark brown color, more akin to glass of cola then beer. This beer has very good head retention and lacing, as one would expect from a beer with this pedigree. The beer smells all malty and grainy, with a sweet molasses, cherry and cola. Very, very nice. On the palate the flavors replicate the nose, with lots of rich malt. However, everything is in proportion with this beer, nothing is out of place. The beer is medium to full bodied, but is not the least bit heavy. There is a good clean finish, with some nice roasty flavors at the end. Very easy to take.... so drinkable.

As others have noted, this really is the mother of all dopplebocks. First had this beer on tap at Humpy's during the "fur rhondy" festival in Anchorage (99 or 2000, forget now), when it was first brought into the state. It was excellent then and is excellent now. Always a treat. This is an excellent beer.

Serving type: on-tap

09-10-2007 14:30:16 | More by johnmichaelsen

BBM

New York

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

Poured a lovely deep mahogany brown that was barely transparent, with ruby highlights and a thin beige head. Aroma was sweet, maybe a bit chocolaty.

This is one hell of a smooth, yet complex beer. There are definite notes of dark fruits, coffee, some chocolate, and even a subtle hop presence. Much more enjoyable as it warmed up. Mouthfeel was full-bodied and well carbonated. Even though it was a touch on the heavy side, I could have a few of these. This really is a great and interesting beer experience.

Serving type: on-tap

06-20-2007 20:05:42 | More by BBM

OWSLEY069

Pennsylvania

3.43/5  rDev -21.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Poured almost black into a Celebrator glass, with a off white head, that went away quickly. Aroma of coffee, chocolate, and small amout of alcohol. Smooth taste including coffee and chocolate. A very nice double bock, used to be the good old stand by, but the alcohol was a thing to watch with this one.

Serving type: on-tap

06-07-2007 17:42:24 | More by OWSLEY069

cichief

Virginia

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

On tap at Friscoe's Grille, Columbia, MD.

A- Very deep amber in color, light brown head.

S- A very bready, lightly hoppy beer.

T- Well balanced, sweet, but not as sweet as other doppelbocks.

M- Medium body, dry finish.

D- Not a session beer, but very good for the style.

Serving type: on-tap

04-21-2007 04:13:55 | More by cichief

BretSikkink

Mexico

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

Quite dark brown color, slight burgundy highlights. Very big and bready aroma, some pepper and caramel sweetness in the hop-malt profile. This is a tasty doppelbock, very sweet with a little hop spicing and big malt presence. This is a sipper and a classic.

Serving type: on-tap

04-05-2007 04:14:42 | More by BretSikkink

travelfrog

New York

3.58/5  rDev -18.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

This is one of the few "*-ator" Munich Starkbier brands I did not try in Munich during my Starkbierzeit pilgrimages in my younger days... ;) I must say I was a bit disappointed, especially since I have very much enjoyed Ayinger's other beer varieties. To be fair, I had this brew on tap in the USA (i.e., perhaps not at its freshest), served into a Celebrator 0.3 liter glass.

Appearance was dark-brown with a reddish tinge. A bit more watery than other Doppelbocks I've seen.

Aroma was very good, almost of a chocolate cordial.

Flavor was OK, with notes of port wine and sherry. The aftertaste was almost salty.

Mouthfeel was average at best, with not a lot of body and cloying to the roof of the mouth.

Drinkability was OK for a Doppelbock, but you could definitely taste the alcohol.

Again, to be fair, I had it on tap a long distance from where it was brewed. Perhaps I'll sample it again if I make it back to Bavaria.

Serving type: on-tap

03-11-2007 12:59:05 | More by travelfrog

jamie2dope

Massachusetts

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

Had this one at the Moan and Dove in Amherst Mass on tap. Poured a dark brown coloe, with a half ince white heading. Smell was very nutty, with notes of chocolate and nutmeg in the mix. Taste was overwhelmingly filled with nut and chocolate flavors...a bit of caramel in there too. A lot lighter then i had expected, pretty medium in the end. Very nice as far as drinkability, one more would have been great. This is a really awesome beer...still deciding whether I like it better on tap or from the bottle. Also, seems more ale-like then lagerish. Guess it doesn't matter in the end, its still totally worth trying. The ram on the bottle is now on my bunchy of keys. Happy Trails

Serving type: on-tap

10-16-2006 05:09:48 | More by jamie2dope