Ayinger Celebrator Doppelbock - Privatbrauerei Franz Inselkammer KG / Brauerei Aying

StonedTrippin

Colorado

4.08/5  rDev -6.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

this is the essential doppelbock as far as I am concerned. it is true as true can be to the style, and is downright delicious. flawlessly made. the pours is a rich mahogany to molasses color with a foamy khaki head a few fingers tall, excellent retention. looks like a lot of body and a lot of malt character, judging by looks alone. the nose is really heavy malt, some roast, some caramel, some dessert or bread pudding type of aromas, and more alcohol than you would think at only 6.7% abv. the flavor is really heavy, dark wheat, heavy toasted barley, and mineral rich water are evident. the yeast is also characteristically german, bready and drenched in dark fruit. there is a peculiar weight to this that makes it wholly satisfying but may reduce drinkability to a certain degree. its rich and smooth, and the carbonation is slight. its a perfect early spring beer to me, and one that would work well with grilled meat, a peppery arugula salad, or even fresh baked cookies. its not for everyone, but if you like the style, this is the go!

Serving type: bottle

02-09-2013 19:05:05 | More by StonedTrippin

hopdog

Pennsylvania

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

Bottle.

Another beer that I used to drink in mass when I was a teenager. Sitting here rating it brings backs the memories (or should I say lack of memories!). What a head! 90% of the glass poured a tan head. Color is a darker reddish brown. Malty sweet aroma and tastes. Caramel and dark fruits. Smooth and easy to drink.

Notes from 10/29/04

Serving type: bottle

11-22-2008 01:49:43 | More by hopdog

AgentZero

Illinois

3.48/5  rDev -20.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Received in a trade from jlindros.

A - Not quite what I was expecting based on the whiff I got when I popped the bottle. Poured into a 22 ounce mug. Very brown that shines a nice red through the light. Three finger, yellowish-brownish-off white head tha dissapated very quickly with no lacing.

S - Sweet sticky smell, no hops. Definately some fruit going on there, plums or dates it seems mostly.

T - No hops, almost a little stout-esque here. A lot of roasted malts, mostly toffee with a sugary taste that coats your tongue.

M - Syrupy, light carbonation. Definately not light, more the heavier side of medium.

D - Pretty easy to get down, they syrupiness of this brew would keep it from being a session beer for me, and the sugary aftertaste makes it turn a little sour if you aren't drinking fast.

Serving type: bottle

09-05-2009 17:28:32 | More by AgentZero

wordemupg

Alberta (Canada)

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

330ml bottle poured into pint glass sept7 2010

A a ruby red leaning towards cola in color and enough carbonation that you could mistake it for cola, the thumbs width of head falls fast but leaves some patches of lace

S molasses, cherry, dark toffee and some brown sugar

T all I smell but with some rye bread, chocolate and some very faint coffee and even some rum, great tasting beer plenty going on here

M almost turns to foam in your mouth from the bubbles and sticks to your lips just a little

D no issues with this one about as easy to drink as they get

a classic and one of those beers everyone should drink every now and then

Serving type: bottle

09-08-2010 07:21:54 | More by wordemupg

Brent

Kentucky

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

The classic example of the style to which all others should aspire. Robust and powerful without being overpowering.

Serving type: bottle

07-08-2001 18:03:18 | More by Brent

blackie

Virginia

4.18/5  rDev -4.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

appearance: Nice 1", frothy khaki head slowly recedes, though never disappearing. The beer is a considerably dark brown in color, with little light escaping.

smell: Mmmm darkish, bready, malt sweetness all over the place. Hints of a dark wheat style banana bread, toasted grain, nuts, and dates. Lightly hopped.

mouthfeel: The carbonation is a lighter medium, and very smooth. The body is a heavier medium, though I like my doppelbocks a little thicker.

taste: Big flavors of moderately sweet, toasted, bready malts. Light banana bread, I suppose from some esters. Just the very very slightest touch of roast, mainly in the aftertaste. Subtle hints of darker fruits. Light noble hop bitterness, and a hop flavor that is hard to find.

drinkability: A good beer, and easily drinkable

Brought to me from Georgia by dirtylou, Cellared since then (July)

Serving type: bottle

04-01-2006 04:13:05 | More by blackie

champ103

Texas

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

A: A very dark ruby color with one of the most massive white, almost tan, heads that I have seen in a beer. Loads of a lace, and a great looking beer.
S: An awesome sweet dark malt, brown sugar, and chocolate aroma comes billowing out of my pint glass. Roasted caramel malt. Another wonderful aspect of this beer.
T: Similar to the nose. Dark roasted malt, caramel, and brown sugar. Lots of chocolate and toffee. A delicious beer.
M/D: Incredibly creamy and smooth. So easy to drink. There is not a hole lot I can say, just fantastic.

OK, this beer is out of control. One of the best in world IMO. Simply amazing.

Serving type: bottle

01-03-2008 00:45:16 | More by champ103

alexgash

Connecticut

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

Very dark amber/brown body with a light brown head. Smell is quite complex: smoky brown sugar malts, tart raisins, wine, and a hint of alcohol. What a lager. Taste starts mildly sweet, with a rich, oaky character. Hints of smoke. Finish is yeasty and bitter. This is a big beer, creamy, but not too syrupy.

Serving type: bottle

10-11-2003 01:37:34 | More by alexgash

GClarkage

California

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

12/31/04- DAMN!! I meant to review this one as #200 rather than the last brew I had!!! Oh well. Purchased at Whole Foods in San Mateo, CA.

Presentation- 11.2 oz bottle with a cool mountain goat hanging from the bottle. A notched bottled date or expiration that I don't understand. Poured into my Chouffe tulip glass.

Appearance- Pours an almost black or at least dark brown color. Nice sticky head and nice lacing.

Smell- Sweet and sugary. Maybe a brown sugar scent. Molasses and maybe even really sweet milk chocolate.

Taste- Sweet malty goodness. Definite molasses swirling around everywhere. A high amount of hop bitterness as well.

Mouthfeel- A bit too carbonated IMO, but other than that it's a nice full beer that goes down well.

Drinkability- One of my first bocks that I decided to drink at the turn of the year. Thus the name Celebrator. Good choice. I'll he having this one again soon.

Serving type: bottle

01-01-2005 18:02:07 | More by GClarkage

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

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

JoeyBeerBelly

New York

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

WOW!
I gave this Double Bock a perfect score!

I bought a 4 pack for $9.99 (what a steal!)

I poured it in to a pilsner glass. It was a deep brownish/red color with a frothy tan head that didn't last too long but as I drank it left a fine looking lacing all the way through. perfect!

It smelled sort of sweet and of roasted malt. perfect!

The taste was heavenly, not too sweet with no hint of alcohol or bitterness. perfect!

It was creamy and smooth in the mouth with a sweet aftertaste. perfect!

This is an extremely drinkable bock. Low abv allows one to enjoy 3 or 4 over a couple of hours, either with a meal or after a meal with a good cigar. perfect!

Serving type: bottle

02-22-2007 23:06:32 | More by JoeyBeerBelly

DrDemento456

Pennsylvania

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

Picked this one up at Fat Heads with the bottle discount came to only 3 bucks. Bought this since I was told it had subtle maple tones...

A - Man what a cool looking bottle. Especially with the plastic goat thing... ow the beer! Wow a very heavy brown since I can see some light with a nice tan colored head and tons of carbonation bubbles. Looks lovely and fresh since no sediment.

S - Smells of brown sugars, toffee and caramel with just a mild bite of alcohol. Smells a bit maple like I guess.

T - Smooth with a nice bit of roast that rounds to candied sugars and sweetness does have a touch of maple too it. Slight chocolate as well and finishes clean with no bitter roast, hops, or even ABV burn. Man what a good beer.

M - ABV is pretty moderate for me and it drank with a medium body but sipping was rather easy.

Overall wow what a Doppel Bock! Tons of flavors using only the basic ingredients to make a beer. Nothing artificial or anything added! Will keep this in mind if I am ever at Fat Heads again.Tasty.

Serving type: bottle

05-15-2011 01:21:51 | More by DrDemento456

merlin48

Kentucky

4.75/5  rDev +8.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

How can you not love a brew that comes with a goat charm! I first tried one of these a couple weeks ago, and made a 6 hour roundtrip drive last weekend to find some more. Removed the goat charm and stored it away. My ladyfriend says she's going to make me a necklace out of these. Pours a rich dark mahogany with a beautiful thick head. OOH, that smell. Fresh English toffee, caramel, and nice malts dominate. Feels euphoric in the mouth, and so drinkable. I love this stuff. As it warms in the glass it even tastes nutritious. Aftertaste is just as pleasant as the rest of its fine qualities. Can't wait to wear the necklace. Top Three for sure!

Serving type: bottle

11-12-2003 23:13:06 | More by merlin48

Vancer

Illinois

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

Finally, the esteemed Celebrator, with plastic goat trinket. Wow, easy pour produced a massive tan head on top on a clear mahogany elixir. Nice aroma of malt and raisons, wonderful rich, maltly, liquorish, tasty treat with an alcohol buzz. Looks thin, but has a good firm body. Double bock…gimme another one (or two).

Serving type: bottle

03-08-2005 13:56:17 | More by Vancer

Mebuzzard

Colorado

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

Poured a nice caramel, mohagany color. Good medium sized off white head. The head stayed a bit longer than I thought it would, and never totally disappeared.
Smell of rich molasses and caramel, sticky sweet with some hints of earthy hops.
Taste of sweet vanilla, caramel and cashew. Some richness of yeasts seem present as well. Some dryness halts the sweetness from becoming overpowering.
Finish leaves a bit of peaty aftertaste. Not really my type of beer, but it is good.

Serving type: bottle

01-09-2007 04:05:17 | More by Mebuzzard

tgbljb

Pennsylvania

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

Poured a deep brown color with dark reddish highlights. Head was tannish, puffy , and lasted forever. Nice lacing on the side of the glass. Taste was toasty and loaded with dark fruits (raisins, dates. prunes). Taste was absolutely superb, with with the nice toasty maltiness predominating, and the dark fruis adding a subtle sweetness and strong background fruitiness. Very complex mixture of taste. Finish is strong and is the perfect ending to this beer. Easy drinkability that hides the alcohol content extremely well. Outstanding si the best description.

Serving type: bottle

02-10-2006 01:10:38 | More by tgbljb

flagmantho

Washington

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

Poured from 12oz bottle into a tulip.

Appearance: extremely dark ruby-tinged brown with a persistent head of thick, creamy tan foam. Exemplary.

Smell: sweet, bready malt aroma with a rich fruitiness: pears, cherries, figs; I'm also detecting what might be hints of creamy chocolate, though very light. Quite nice indeed.

Taste: the flavor tracks along the same lines as the aroma. The only drawback here is that it is a little light in intensity; the composition of the flavor is very tasty, however. Toward the end there is the hint of vegetabley hops.

Mouthfeel: medium body with a great carbonation which is integrated well and yields a fantastic creaminess. Love it.

Drinkability: though the flavor has a couple drawbacks in my opinion, I very much like the overall composition. The aroma is fantastic and the mouthfeel is just grand. A highly drinkable brew.

Serving type: bottle

05-05-2010 03:42:56 | More by flagmantho

Jwale73

Rhode Island

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

Served in my Harpoon Oktoberfest mug. Poured a deep, dark brown with ruby highlights when the light hit the brew each time I took a sip. Two-fingered tan head subsided into a thin consistent skim of foam. Strong scent of dark fruit (figs, prunes), chocolate and perhaps molasses. Also seemed to have a slightly vinous fragrance. Taste similar to nose - dark fruit more pronounced as was as a strong malty backdrop. Effervescent tingly mouthfeel across the entire tongue finishing with a slight bit of astringency. Excellent brew. Wish I had discovered it sooner. Drinkable cold weather alternative to the big beers I usually consume.

Serving type: bottle

02-12-2008 23:14:37 | More by Jwale73

Gmann

New York

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

Pour a very dark brown color with some ruby hightlights, the head is nothing special and dissipated into a light ring around the glass. The smell is lightly roasted malt and perhaps some fig, not as strong as I thought. The taste is quite good, a nice mocha character that is created by some caramel that I am picking up and the roasted malt. Has notes of dark fruit and some spice but nothing that I can put a name to, which is fine as it lets the malt speak for itself. The feel is well bodied with fairly soft carbonation, very smooth; finishes rather balanced for such a malty brew. A very nice malty brew which is quite easy to drink, prost!

Serving type: bottle

12-29-2007 20:40:11 | More by Gmann

mynie

Indiana

4.33/5  rDev -0.9%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours pretty as can be. Great head, great blackness with ruby shining through. Absolutely killer bottle.

Smells spicey and sweetly of malt along with a hint of a alcohol. Molasses and bread. Complex and brilliant.

Very strong malt flavor. Bittersweet: roasted grain and almonds. More malt in the back with just a bit of alcohol in the follow through. A sweet aftertaste, very nutty. Molasses all around.

Sensational body. Goes down alright, but these taste awful rich and it would be hard to drink more than a couple in a sitting--no matter how much you might want to.

Serving type: bottle

10-17-2004 17:54:29 | More by mynie

tone77

Pennsylvania

4.18/5  rDev -4.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a brown 11.2 oz. bottle. Has a very dark brown color with a 1/2 inch head. Smell is very malty, some caramel. Taste is good, malts, caramel, some fruits, very flavorful. Feels full bodied in the mouth and overall be careful with this abv, this beer is very easy drinking and quite good.

Serving type: bottle

11-12-2011 14:12:27 | More by tone77

onix1agr

Pennsylvania

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

12oz bottle out of a four pack into a large wine glass.

A- Celebrator holds a very dark brown color with spots of a burnt red towards the surface. Behind light this had a deep mahagony appearance. A pretty steep pour only produced a skim of beige foam that faded leaving no lace.

S- A whole lot of malts both dark and sweet. No smell of any lingering hops. Fresh bread from the malts as well. A nice mix of chocolate and dark fruits in the back. A great smelling beer all and all.

T- Having had some bad luck on some new dopplebock offerings it's good to come back to the best. Deep malt sweetness plus some bananas I did not pick up in scent. Some dark fruit as well with figs. Some roast like flavors in the end. Getting some molasses as well, a great dopple.

M- The feel is great and full, well a step below full with minimal carb going for it which I think works well. This is very sweet on the mouth and goes down oh so smooth. Just a bit of an aftertaste with sweetness and a touch of roast.

D- On my next bottle already, 12oz were not enough, and the ABV is on the low end which makes it easier for me in the morning. The flavor on this is just so full and rich that other versions really cant compare.

Serving type: bottle

06-10-2009 03:03:27 | More by onix1agr

Bierman9

New Hampshire

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

Bottle review of 23OCT02...
Enjoyed as part of the "Bocktoberfest" Alewife and I put on.... Lovely dark brown/garnet color, with a fine, tan head and nice lacing. Superb roasty, malty, chocolate aromas abound... Pretty full-bodied, and pleasantly smooth over the tongue. Exhibits a rich, semi-sweet, roasty, bitter chocolate flavor. Not as sweet as Salvi or Sammy... but A-1 in its own right! Verrry drinkable!!! Zum Wohl!!

overall: 4.5
appearance: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | mouthfeel: 4.5 | drinkability: 4.5

*** ***

On-tap review of 10MAR02...
This baby on draft has a nice dark brown to almost black color, with a small creamy head. I pick up notes of bitter chocolate in the nose. Real nice fullness and smoothness. Taste is super, but a bit more on the bitter side than Salvator or Sammy. Nice flavor with the roasty chocolate finish. Goes down well! (4.5/4.5/4.5/4.5/4.5 = 4.5)

Prosit!

70

Serving type: bottle

03-10-2002 18:58:31 | More by Bierman9

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