Celebrator
Ayinger Privatbrauerei

FINALLY remembered to buy a bottle of this, after always refusing to pay a "bar" price on a bottle. ;-)

Interesting 12 oz. bottle with a little bauble strung about the neck; elaborate and proud label design. Pours a dark, burnt-chestnut hue with a healthy, chocolately head. Strong smell of sweet malts.

For me, this has become the bar for doppelbocks. It is rich, malty, and sweet, with a really nice molasses flavor to it; the 6.7% alcohol content is not remotely evident in this complex brew. I have had some (alleged) doppelbocks that struck me as weak, watered-down caramel, and other that were nearly unpalatable malt-bombs, but this lands in just the right place.

That said, the sweetness of this fine beer lends itself to modest quantities; I would personally find a large quantity a little stomach-turning.

 

 

 

 

2/14/23 Happy Valentine's Day! Poured from a 12oz bottle at Pig and Fire BBQ in Washington, PA.

Deep clear, caramel black. Heavy tan head.

Aroma is bready, pumpernickel.

Taste follows above. Not overly sweet at all. Coffee overtones throughout.

Very nice feeling beer throughout.

 

 

 

Stands just hair above all the rest in doppelbocks. In my opinion, the best you can get in doppelbocks today.

Dark brown color almost like a red ale.

Smells faintly of a dark brown bread.

Heavy malt, but not overly sweet like you may expect from doppelbock. Still retains a complex graham-cracker quality despite being very malty.

May be the finest doppelbock that you can buy today.

 

 

 

One of my favorites.

 

 

What a phenomenal beer!

Deep ruby red color.

Toffee malt aroma.

Slightly sweet dark bread flavor.

Very smooth mouthfeel.

World class winner!

 

 

330ml bottle "L1062" poured into a pint glass shows a deep, dark mahogany brown body, boasts a proud 2" head of chestnut brown mixed bubbles that recedes to a persistent cap and leaves random spotted lacing.

Strong roasty, malt, maillard aroma flows directly into that classic dark roast flavor. A combination of bitter cocoa and coffee.

Lighter leaning mouthfeel is still full, yet neither creamy nor tongue coating, and a drying effect that clamors for more.

Overall a great dark beer in the classic tradition.

Bottle from Schaller & Weber on the UES NYC. Pours an opaque very dark amber/brown with a finger of off-white head that dissipates, decent lacing; smell is big, dark, candy malts, molasses, molasses cookies, molasses bread, vanilla, hints of smoke and wood; taste is dark candy malts, sweet brown bread, dark chewy caramel, sticky toffee pudding, hints of pumpernickel and licorice; feel is medium bodied, light carbonation, sweet. A fortifying liquid blanket next to a roaring fire. Malty, dark, goodness.

From an 11.2 ounce bottle dated "L2152" (?)

Pours an opaque dark dark brown-similar to cola. With about two fingers of tan head. Incredible retention and lacing.

Smells of dark fruits, caramel and sweet bread. Not a super strong aroma.

Taste follows. Malty up front with slight bitterness on the swallow.

Full-bodied. Slightly dry finish. Bit of a bitter aftertaste. Low to medium carbonation.

This beer is an absolute pleasure to drink.

 

 

It's richness was personally overwhelming, and made it hard to enjoy. I could see why this would be highly regarded by experienced beer drinkers, but it wasn't what I was looking for.

 

 

Best beer ever.

Can't believe I've never reviewed this one. One of the best looking and smelling beers you'll ever try. Smells like sweet dark bread, chocolate, raisins, toffee, caramel. Absolutely delicious. The taste mirrors the aroma but not as sweet. Pretty close to a perfect beer. 5/5 for style

Bottled Stamp: L1308

A - Dark garnet colored pour that's closer to burgundy in color. Light caramel colored foam is creamy and even across the top of the beer and super sticky on the sides of the glass.

S - Nutty and malty aroma hits the nose.

T - Toasted toffee caramel malt base up front with some nuttiness at the end a light to moderate bitterness starts to build well after the sip. (Think bready bread crust.) There's also some dates, figs, and a slight bit of charred toffee thrown in the mix creating some nice layers of complexity.

M - Big medium body that's bready and somewhat sticky on the lips.

O - Pretty much perfect for the style.

 

On tap at Sabatinis in Exeter pa this evening.

Looks splendid in the glass deep dark reddish body. Off white head shrinks to a ring and covering, though no lacing.

Light aroma, sweet and malty.

On tasting, it is very sweet. Also full, rich, and smooth.

Mouth full, finish initially sweet, then a delightful light ashy roast cuts through the sweet.

Overall, lovely beer. May be too sweet for some, but not me. The finish is really enjoyable.

 

 

Dark brown in an old handblown pilsner glass (SRM 23-26). Murky mahogany highlights add intrigue, while 1" of creamy almond foam gradually compresses over several minutes. A ring of lace decorates the top of the glass, while only a few spots are retained below.

The malt aromas are rich and alluring, with faint floral hops. Sweet, toasted sugar leads to dates and light mace, while raisin bread lingers in the background. Warmth brings out sweet black coffee.

The flavors build on the aroma, with charred sugar, dates and pumpernickel bread. Sweetness is less than expected from the aroma and in balance with roasted bitterness. The finish is full on pumpernickel that seems to last forever. Warmth amps-up the roasted malt, adds a toasted quality to the bread, while mellowing the already modest sweetness.

The body is medium to full, with a creamy texture. The alcohol feels about as labeled. Carbonation has an initial burst before calming to a light prickling sensation. Residual sugar builds on the lips.

Just as I sat down, an intense and sudden electrical storm roared through, enhancing the experience. Celebrator is the quintessential bread in a glass. I enjoy it most while reading and listening to expressive music.

A perfect example of what a dopplebock should be. Wish the abv was a bit higher, but aside from that, spot on!

 

Ayinger 'Celebrator' @ 6.7% , served from a 330 ml bottle
A-pour is a cola brown from the bottle to almost black in the glass with a medium size tan head leaving a spotty lace ring along the weizen glass
S-caramel & toffee
T-malty sweetness , dark ripe fruits (raisin , fig , dates) chocolate & coffee finish
MF-ok carbonation , big full body
Ov-worthy of 'one of the best/Doppelbock beers in the world'
prost LampertLand

From the bottle in a snifter. This legend pours a dark blackish brown with a
fantastic head of khaki foam that settles to a thick ring, thick clumping layer,
and sports some very nice lacing. Nose of coffee, brown sugars, raisin, subtle
cherry, dates, and dark breaded malts. Flavors give it their all with dark raisin
bread, coffee, brown sugars, cherry, and perfect toasted malts. Nice mouth feel;
medium body, medium light carbonation, smooth, lightly coating, and finishing
lightly sweet with a balanced malt note dashed with subtle hops.

Overall----a legend for a reason!

Can't believe I hadn't reviewed this one.....a classic!


Cheers