Spaten Optimator
Spaten-Franziskaner-Bräu
Beer Geek Stats
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- From:
- Spaten-Franziskaner-Bräu
- Germany
- Style:
- Bock - Doppelbock
Ranked #75 - ABV:
- 7.6%
- Score:
- 87
Ranked #16,378 - Avg:
- 3.9 | pDev: 12.05%
- Ratings:
- Status:
- Active
- Rated:
- May 14, 2022
- Added:
- Apr 06, 1999
- Wants:
- 114
- Gots:
- 518
SCORE
87
Very Good
87
Very Good
Notes:
None
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
3.63/5 rDev -6.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
by maddogruss from New Jersey
Poured this from a bottle.
A: pours a dark amber body with mahogany hues with a one-finger thick, off-white head with nice retention and lacing.
S: very sweet, toffee smell; slight earthiness and fig fruity undertones.
T: sweet, dried fruit taste with a sweet, roasted toffee aftertaste. Sweet, juicy notes as well.
M: medium bodied and fairly smooth; a little thin.
O: nice feel and taste combo; nice drinking beer overall; sweet alcohol notes was a little warming.
May 14, 2022
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
by maddogruss from New Jersey
Poured this from a bottle.
A: pours a dark amber body with mahogany hues with a one-finger thick, off-white head with nice retention and lacing.
S: very sweet, toffee smell; slight earthiness and fig fruity undertones.
T: sweet, dried fruit taste with a sweet, roasted toffee aftertaste. Sweet, juicy notes as well.
M: medium bodied and fairly smooth; a little thin.
O: nice feel and taste combo; nice drinking beer overall; sweet alcohol notes was a little warming.
May 14, 2022
3.27 by Eychung from New York on Apr 13, 2022
3.71/5 rDev -4.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
by jackflaps from Pennsylvania
12oz bottle into pint glass.
L: Dark amber, lots of carbonation, head fades quickly.
S: Like raisin bread.
T: Nose matches the smell, hops come through in the finish.
F: Very rich and full-bodied. Smooth.
O: Very good brew, not as bitter as some of the American doppelbocks, and a little drier.
Apr 07, 2022
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
by jackflaps from Pennsylvania
12oz bottle into pint glass.
L: Dark amber, lots of carbonation, head fades quickly.
S: Like raisin bread.
T: Nose matches the smell, hops come through in the finish.
F: Very rich and full-bodied. Smooth.
O: Very good brew, not as bitter as some of the American doppelbocks, and a little drier.
Apr 07, 2022
3.81/5 rDev -2.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
by DanO1066 from Maryland
12oz bottle (07.2022) into a dimpled mug (this time, I've had this before: copper-brown body w/nice off white head that sadly vanishes quickly leaving the slightest ring. Nice brown bread aroma. Raisin bread taste? Medium carbonation & body that pleasantly coats the tongue. A darn good double-bock.
Mar 22, 2022
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
by DanO1066 from Maryland
12oz bottle (07.2022) into a dimpled mug (this time, I've had this before: copper-brown body w/nice off white head that sadly vanishes quickly leaving the slightest ring. Nice brown bread aroma. Raisin bread taste? Medium carbonation & body that pleasantly coats the tongue. A darn good double-bock.
Mar 22, 2022
4.23 by Reptyler on Mar 06, 2022
4.19 by Bartleby91 from Wisconsin on Feb 12, 2022
3.38 by adamstef on Feb 11, 2022
3.68 by liquorpig from Massachusetts on Jan 23, 2022
3.83/5 rDev -1.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
by bluejacket74 from Ohio
12 ounce bottle, best before date of 12.2021 printed on the back label. Served in a dimpled mug, the beer pours a mostly clear dark amber/brown color with about an inch light tan head that stuck around a while. Decent amount of lacing. I like the aroma, the brew smells like nuts, toasted malt, dark fruit and dark bread. Taste is similar to the aroma, but there's also a slight bitter herbal flavor noticeable in the finish. Mouthfeel/body is medium, it's a bit coating and has a good amount of soft carbonation. I thought it was a good brew, worth a try if you've never had it before. $1.79 for a single bottle.
Nov 24, 2021
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
by bluejacket74 from Ohio
12 ounce bottle, best before date of 12.2021 printed on the back label. Served in a dimpled mug, the beer pours a mostly clear dark amber/brown color with about an inch light tan head that stuck around a while. Decent amount of lacing. I like the aroma, the brew smells like nuts, toasted malt, dark fruit and dark bread. Taste is similar to the aroma, but there's also a slight bitter herbal flavor noticeable in the finish. Mouthfeel/body is medium, it's a bit coating and has a good amount of soft carbonation. I thought it was a good brew, worth a try if you've never had it before. $1.79 for a single bottle.
Nov 24, 2021
4.3 by LesDewitt4beer from Minnesota on Nov 15, 2021
5 by BillDakelski from Oklahoma on Nov 15, 2021
4.26 by soarinsteven from Illinois on Nov 07, 2021
4 by Marvicsin from California on Nov 06, 2021
4.03/5 rDev +3.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
by 57md from Pennsylvania
Pours a dark brownish amber color with a finger of head. The nose has some rye bread notes. The flavor is malty with compliments of licorice and molasses. The body is perhaps a touch light for the style.
This is a different offering that doesn't taste like a traditional doppelbock but, nonetheless, has an interesting flavor profile.
Oct 10, 2021
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
by 57md from Pennsylvania
Pours a dark brownish amber color with a finger of head. The nose has some rye bread notes. The flavor is malty with compliments of licorice and molasses. The body is perhaps a touch light for the style.
This is a different offering that doesn't taste like a traditional doppelbock but, nonetheless, has an interesting flavor profile.
Oct 10, 2021
4.39/5 rDev +12.6%
look: 4.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75
by Kiiz
L: Poured from one of the classiest 12 oz bottles I’ve seen. Dark amber with beautiful highlights. Small white head and no lacing, but a very sleek looking brew.
A: Dark rye with malty presence. Fairly unassuming aroma.
T: Malt flavor with bitter chocolate tones, as well as some hints of smoke, licorice, and dark fruit.
F: medium to full body, a little carbonation, a little creamy, but also a bit refreshing. This beer: robust porters as robust porters:imperial stouts is the best way to describe it.
O: A very solid all-round beer. It doesn’t excel in any particular area but it’s above average in almost everything. A hardy beer that makes you feel more like a gambling hessian rather than an ipa drinking sorority girl. The description probably doesn’t sound the best but bro science says this drink is an absolute legend. Definitely a staple for the cooler fall/winter months.
Oct 05, 2021
look: 4.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75
by Kiiz
L: Poured from one of the classiest 12 oz bottles I’ve seen. Dark amber with beautiful highlights. Small white head and no lacing, but a very sleek looking brew.
A: Dark rye with malty presence. Fairly unassuming aroma.
T: Malt flavor with bitter chocolate tones, as well as some hints of smoke, licorice, and dark fruit.
F: medium to full body, a little carbonation, a little creamy, but also a bit refreshing. This beer: robust porters as robust porters:imperial stouts is the best way to describe it.
O: A very solid all-round beer. It doesn’t excel in any particular area but it’s above average in almost everything. A hardy beer that makes you feel more like a gambling hessian rather than an ipa drinking sorority girl. The description probably doesn’t sound the best but bro science says this drink is an absolute legend. Definitely a staple for the cooler fall/winter months.
Oct 05, 2021
4.13/5 rDev +5.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
by hankp59 from New York
Dark amber in color. Small head that disappears quickly. Pumpernickel bread flavors with a noticeable hops finish. There is sweetness but not too much so. This is more rich than refreshing but well worth the experience if you crave something rich and flavorful.
Oct 04, 2021
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
by hankp59 from New York
Dark amber in color. Small head that disappears quickly. Pumpernickel bread flavors with a noticeable hops finish. There is sweetness but not too much so. This is more rich than refreshing but well worth the experience if you crave something rich and flavorful.
Oct 04, 2021
4.53 by demosixt from Texas on Oct 02, 2021
3.97/5 rDev +1.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
by Profundobaso from New York
Look - poured from a 12 oz bottle. Dark amber in color, transparent, and not much of a head. beer appears to be well carbonated.
Smell - malty and syrupy sweetness, and resembles a nice dark rye bread. virtually no hop presence. smell reminds me of a kvass.
Taste - malts and toffee notes come through in the flavor. roasted malts dominated in flavor from start to finish, with little to no bitterness.
Feel - medium bodied, high carbonation, and fairly boozy at 7.6% ABV. However, alcohol is very well masked and doesn't drink like a strong beer at all.
Overall - a hearty doppelbock that is malty and flavorful and highly drinkable.
Sep 23, 2021
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
by Profundobaso from New York
Look - poured from a 12 oz bottle. Dark amber in color, transparent, and not much of a head. beer appears to be well carbonated.
Smell - malty and syrupy sweetness, and resembles a nice dark rye bread. virtually no hop presence. smell reminds me of a kvass.
Taste - malts and toffee notes come through in the flavor. roasted malts dominated in flavor from start to finish, with little to no bitterness.
Feel - medium bodied, high carbonation, and fairly boozy at 7.6% ABV. However, alcohol is very well masked and doesn't drink like a strong beer at all.
Overall - a hearty doppelbock that is malty and flavorful and highly drinkable.
Sep 23, 2021
3.76/5 rDev -3.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
by AllAboutTheStout from Arkansas
Roasted/Smokey taste in this cola brown pour. Hubby thinks roasted barley. Almost no head, just a small white swirl. Moderately carbonated. Good with this Mie Goreng (noodle stir fry) I just made. Like it.
Aug 29, 2021
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
by AllAboutTheStout from Arkansas
Roasted/Smokey taste in this cola brown pour. Hubby thinks roasted barley. Almost no head, just a small white swirl. Moderately carbonated. Good with this Mie Goreng (noodle stir fry) I just made. Like it.
Aug 29, 2021
4.01 by lorrin from Texas on Jul 21, 2021
4.21 by Jakepitbull from New York on Jul 15, 2021
4 by aasher from Indiana on Jun 20, 2021
4.24/5 rDev +8.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
by BerkeleyBeerSleuth from California
Very dark reddish brown body with a creamy beige head. Lots of Nutty aroma with milk chocolate. Candy malt flavor with just a slight hop tingle. Finish is malty. Drinkability is high, you can't in anyway tell that this beer is 7.6% even though it will warm your toes. This is one of the best available international beers that was on the market before the craft beer boom. I drank a lot of this in my early 20's and though it's not quite as great as I remember, it's still a good beer.
Jun 11, 2021
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
by BerkeleyBeerSleuth from California
Very dark reddish brown body with a creamy beige head. Lots of Nutty aroma with milk chocolate. Candy malt flavor with just a slight hop tingle. Finish is malty. Drinkability is high, you can't in anyway tell that this beer is 7.6% even though it will warm your toes. This is one of the best available international beers that was on the market before the craft beer boom. I drank a lot of this in my early 20's and though it's not quite as great as I remember, it's still a good beer.
Jun 11, 2021
4.02/5 rDev +3.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
by TheBricenator from Oregon
Look: Ruby reddish brown and looks almost black in the glass with a lively tan head that slowly settles, leaving great lacing behind
Aroma: Fresh baked brown bread, toffee, melanoidin, dried dark fruits, and almost like a warmed graham cracker crust-like note
Taste: Rich bready malt, toffee, and dried dark fruits start it off as some melanoidin creeps its way in as well. Caramel, more bread, dough, and that sweetened graham cracker note hold the middle before toffee and dark fruits return to close it out
Mouthfeel: Full, very clean throughout, medium-high carbonation, and soft and smooth on the finish
Overall: This is tasty stuff. It took me years to finally try this beer and cannot really understand how it slipped by me but better late than never. A delicious doppelbock that isn’t too overpowering with dark fruit notes and still has all the right, luscious maltiness that makes this style so good. A classic and an OG – recommended
Jun 01, 2021
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
by TheBricenator from Oregon
Look: Ruby reddish brown and looks almost black in the glass with a lively tan head that slowly settles, leaving great lacing behind
Aroma: Fresh baked brown bread, toffee, melanoidin, dried dark fruits, and almost like a warmed graham cracker crust-like note
Taste: Rich bready malt, toffee, and dried dark fruits start it off as some melanoidin creeps its way in as well. Caramel, more bread, dough, and that sweetened graham cracker note hold the middle before toffee and dark fruits return to close it out
Mouthfeel: Full, very clean throughout, medium-high carbonation, and soft and smooth on the finish
Overall: This is tasty stuff. It took me years to finally try this beer and cannot really understand how it slipped by me but better late than never. A delicious doppelbock that isn’t too overpowering with dark fruit notes and still has all the right, luscious maltiness that makes this style so good. A classic and an OG – recommended
Jun 01, 2021
4.28/5 rDev +9.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
by jonphisher from New Jersey
Pours very nicely, nice dense creaming looking I’ll say dirty white head cause it has the slightest hint of brown. Picture I think accurately portrays the color but...When held up to light it almost has a dark dark red hue to it as well. At sight it is very appetizing beer to look at.
Smells like dark breads with some roastiness mixed in as well. I even think I pick up some chocolate and burnt sugars.
The taste follows the nose pretty closely but the difference to me is the chocolate notes is much more noticeable in taste than aroma. Everything else kind of follows as above.
This is medium bodies and nice and full. It somehow does that but manages to go down incredibly smooth with an almost creaminess to it. The bitterness is noticeable but not high and it is very welcoming.
Apr 25, 2021
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
by jonphisher from New Jersey
Pours very nicely, nice dense creaming looking I’ll say dirty white head cause it has the slightest hint of brown. Picture I think accurately portrays the color but...When held up to light it almost has a dark dark red hue to it as well. At sight it is very appetizing beer to look at.
Smells like dark breads with some roastiness mixed in as well. I even think I pick up some chocolate and burnt sugars.
The taste follows the nose pretty closely but the difference to me is the chocolate notes is much more noticeable in taste than aroma. Everything else kind of follows as above.
This is medium bodies and nice and full. It somehow does that but manages to go down incredibly smooth with an almost creaminess to it. The bitterness is noticeable but not high and it is very welcoming.
Apr 25, 2021
3.84 by Hazey92 from New York on Apr 14, 2021
4.48 by corleco from North Carolina on Apr 08, 2021
4.1 by Machus from Montana on Mar 11, 2021
4.09 by asaboss from California on Mar 01, 2021
3.84 by Rubezahl from Pennsylvania on Mar 01, 2021
4.92/5 rDev +26.2%
look: 5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 5
by USArmyRangerVet from New York
An excellent Deutches Dopplebock. Zom wool!
Feb 14, 2021
look: 5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 5
by USArmyRangerVet from New York
An excellent Deutches Dopplebock. Zom wool!
Feb 14, 2021
3.75 by Chipwells from Georgia on Feb 05, 2021
4.02 by CDRothschild from Wisconsin on Jan 31, 2021
4.04/5 rDev +3.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
by hbeimers from Illinois
Beautiful dark color like an oversteeped black tea. Sweet caramel aroma and flavor. Nice malty sweetness without being overwhelming. Also has a fairly light body compared to other dark beers.
Jan 13, 2021
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
by hbeimers from Illinois
Beautiful dark color like an oversteeped black tea. Sweet caramel aroma and flavor. Nice malty sweetness without being overwhelming. Also has a fairly light body compared to other dark beers.
Jan 13, 2021
3.9 by Rhetion from Florida on Jan 11, 2021
3.54 by BalancingBrooms from Illinois on Dec 19, 2020
3.98 by SpaethJam from New York on Dec 16, 2020
4.08 by Skabiski from Maryland on Dec 12, 2020
4.1/5 rDev +5.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
by Singlefinpin from North Carolina
Drinking this at The European Street Cafe in Jacksonville Florida.
Poured from a bottle into a beer mug.
Appears dark brown, with a light tannish foamy head that dropped quickly to a thin ring and nice lacing.
Smells malty sweet, roasty, caramel.
Taste follows the nose and flavor improves as beer warms.
Mouth feel is medium plus for the style.
Overall a very good Dopplebock that I would definitely order again.
Dec 08, 2020
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
by Singlefinpin from North Carolina
Drinking this at The European Street Cafe in Jacksonville Florida.
Poured from a bottle into a beer mug.
Appears dark brown, with a light tannish foamy head that dropped quickly to a thin ring and nice lacing.
Smells malty sweet, roasty, caramel.
Taste follows the nose and flavor improves as beer warms.
Mouth feel is medium plus for the style.
Overall a very good Dopplebock that I would definitely order again.
Dec 08, 2020
4.33/5 rDev +11%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
by LoganFarinhas from Pennsylvania
$2.00, 12fl oz., Best by June 6th 2021, No bottled date, Pint glass, 50.4ºF (10.2ºC)
Overall: really good beer I give it a 90, no bottle date isn't too big a deal since this isn't a hoppy beer to begin with.
Dec 08, 2020
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
by LoganFarinhas from Pennsylvania
$2.00, 12fl oz., Best by June 6th 2021, No bottled date, Pint glass, 50.4ºF (10.2ºC)
Overall: really good beer I give it a 90, no bottle date isn't too big a deal since this isn't a hoppy beer to begin with.
Dec 08, 2020
Spaten Optimator from Spaten-Franziskaner-Bräu
Beer rating:
87 out of
100 with
3263 ratings