Comments on: Spaten Optimator Review

By: Nate

Nate — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 13:40:46 +0000

@Big Tex: thanks for the historical back drop…always appreciated. Celebrator is delicious, and my kids enjoy playing with the little goats while enjoy the booze!

I have actually been considering a beer fast for the upcoming lenten season…perhaps I should brew up a doppelbock now.

By: Big Tex

Big Tex — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 18:17:58 +0000

There is an historical connection, but it’s not associated with Christmas. Rather, bocks and doppelbocks are associated with Lent, the 40-day period of fasting and penance before Easter. The story goes that this “liquid bread” was a nutritious supplement to the sparse meals the monks ate during this penitential season. More recently, bockbier is released around special occasions, including both Christmas and Easter.

While Optimator is an excellent example of this style, Salvator remains the original. (In fact, Salvator is responsible for the naming convention for doppelbocks in that they almost always end in -ator.) I enjoy both very much, with their rich, almost nutty flavors. But, Celebrator from from Ayinger remains my favorite doppelbock. It’s extraordinarily smooth, and dark as night. Delicious!

By: Jim

Jim — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 15:24:35 +0000

Dopplebocks remind me of Christmas for some reason (another religion/beer connection?). They are perfect for tree gazing and relaxing with friends and family. I don’t do nog, but I always pick up some dopplebocks, usually Troegs.

By: beer_scientist

beer_scientist — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 18:08:03 +0000

I’ve been watching them. They are just ripping it up. The best I’ve seen them play.

By: Kirk Roth

Kirk Roth — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 17:48:58 +0000

beer_scientist, Amen to that! Yep, things here are good. Indy is cold and wet…but the Colts are looking good…so we have that going for us.

By: beer_scientist

beer_scientist — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 17:23:40 +0000

I wish more people there cared about it like I did. Too bad that stores carrying a bunch of beers don’t know the product very well. I hope things are going well in Indy.

By: Kirk Roth

Kirk Roth — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 16:54:44 +0000

Good review Nate. My pallet is not very sophisticated and can’t really discern all the nuances. I always want to drink the beer again after reading a review to see if I can detect some of the flavors & aromas mentioned. This is a great beer in my book.

Beer_scientist: Hope all is well out in Cali. I miss your expert advice and passion for beer when I visit Crown Liquors!

By: beer_scientist

beer_scientist — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 03:56:53 +0000

I also noted a bitter finish with some roast among the lager yeast bite.