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Celebrator
Ayinger Privatbrauerei
- From:
- Ayinger Privatbrauerei
- Germany
- Style:
- Doppelbock
Ranked #1 - ABV:
- 6.7%
- Score:
- 96
Ranked #841 - Avg:
- 4.34 | pDev: 9.91%
- Reviews:
- 2,606
- Ratings:
- Status:
- Active
- Rated:
- Mar 24, 2024
- Added:
- Jan 10, 2001
- Wants:
- 645
- Gots:
- 1,163
A beer that has a dominant malty taste. This beer’s origins in a monk’s recipe are reflected in its heartiness. The Pope of Beers, Conrad Seidl, describes it as: “Almost black with a very slight red tone, a sensational, festive foam and truly extraordinary fragrance that at first summons up visions of greaves lard. The first taste is of mild fullness with an accompanying coffee tone, which becomes more dominant with the aftertaste. There is very little of the sweetness that is frequently to be tasted with doppelbock beer.” The Ayinger Celebrator has been ranked among the best beers of the world by the Chicago Testing Institute several times and has won numerous medals.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by themikekennedy:
Reviewed by themikekennedy from Florida
4.06/5 rDev -6.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
4.06/5 rDev -6.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
"Dark, malty and rich." So says the bottle. It is clearly dark but it is not heavy. I love the malt with a good mix of cereal and a nuttiness that opens into a sweetness that is not cloying but just enough to make you want the next sip. Almost smells as good or better than it tastes. Delicious! I have not had one of these in years and bought a 4-pack at one of my local Total Wine stores recently. I originally tried it more than 10 years ago because of BA rating and loved it. I love beer and trying new beers but am now committing to learn more about BJCP and Cicerone and learning the vocabulary for describing what it is that I love about beer.
Jan 21, 2018More User Ratings:
Reviewed by Qbert from Illinois
4.41/5 rDev +1.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
4.41/5 rDev +1.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
Very dark brown, slightly reddish. Most prominent flavors are chocolate and coffee, but not in an overwhelming way. There's some subtle dark fruit and caramel and a bit of a hop kick. Most flavors are understated, which is not a criticism but a testament to the subtlety of the beer. What stands out for me is the creamy and full mouthfeel. This is a great beer.
Mar 24, 2024Reviewed by adamg39 from Ohio
2.61/5 rDev -39.9%
look: 2.75 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.25 | overall: 2.5
2.61/5 rDev -39.9%
look: 2.75 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.25 | overall: 2.5
I enjoy a good bock beer, but these double bocks are just too bitter for me. The very dark malt just tasted "burnt", for lack of a better term. I sensed zero sweetness. Did not leave me in a celebratory mood.
Mar 13, 2024Reviewed by Sabtos from Ohio
3.13/5 rDev -27.9%
look: 4 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3
3.13/5 rDev -27.9%
look: 4 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3
My original pre-2015 review--I wanted to like this a lot more, but it had more molasses and caramel heaviness than I was expecting, giving some dark fruits--has actually been cause to revisit for quite some time, as I thought I'd be more forgiving at this point in my journey. However, the result actually turned out to be quite the opposite in the end.
The very dark brown-ish red appearance nears black under its fine but level tan head.
Celebrator is way more aggressive and even bitter than I remember it. It's even a step or two shy of American barleywine, exhibiting characteristics of dark caramel, woody pine, toffee lozenge and a little musty cattiness.
I know it's a standard setter, but I've grown used to doppelbocks being sweeter and not so hoppy, or whatever is going on here. I love so many other Ayinger beers, but not this one.
Mar 04, 2024The very dark brown-ish red appearance nears black under its fine but level tan head.
Celebrator is way more aggressive and even bitter than I remember it. It's even a step or two shy of American barleywine, exhibiting characteristics of dark caramel, woody pine, toffee lozenge and a little musty cattiness.
I know it's a standard setter, but I've grown used to doppelbocks being sweeter and not so hoppy, or whatever is going on here. I love so many other Ayinger beers, but not this one.
Reviewed by DDiFran from Ohio
4.5/5 rDev +3.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
4.5/5 rDev +3.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Head is thin and disappears a bit too fast for my taste. Other than that, pretty much perfect. Everything you would want in a dopplebock. Worthy of the lofty ranking
Feb 25, 2024Rated by Brian50Oshen1 from Connecticut
5/5 rDev +15.2%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
5/5 rDev +15.2%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
A Winter Nights Potion
Jan 26, 2024Reviewed by AzfromOz from Australia
4.46/5 rDev +2.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
4.46/5 rDev +2.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
I found this one in a random restaurant in Trauenstein, Bavaria, called Höllbräu, in September 2023. I'd just met a couple of other beer tourists (they were American, but that's ok!), had spent too long at Hofbräuhaus Traunstein, and needed to return to the van before our parking was up. I sent the old man on alone when I saw this and told him I'd be as quick as possible! Notes are, therefore, perfunctory, and I'm a little bummed that I didn't get time to sit with this beer and give it the attention it deserved. I suspect it would have rated higher had I given it time to really warm and settle into its stride.
L: Dark ruby brown with a quickly dispersing coffee-coloured head. No carbonation seen. Looking hard, the beer is transparent, but only if you look for it.
S: Dark glacé cherries; Christmas cake; Dr Pepper; dark, rum-like spirits. All aromas deepen as the beer warms.
T: Utterly delicious! Rich dark fruits, Christmas cake, molasses, dark cherries, rum.
M: Surprisingly sharp on the tongue, especially with the reasonably mild carbonation and easy swallow. Some warmth in the chest, mouth and throat after the swallow.
O: I was in a rush when I drank this, to my regret. It's an exceptionally good beer that needs to be sat on, not drunk in a hurry, because you have to be somewhere else!
Cheers!
#407
Dec 24, 2023L: Dark ruby brown with a quickly dispersing coffee-coloured head. No carbonation seen. Looking hard, the beer is transparent, but only if you look for it.
S: Dark glacé cherries; Christmas cake; Dr Pepper; dark, rum-like spirits. All aromas deepen as the beer warms.
T: Utterly delicious! Rich dark fruits, Christmas cake, molasses, dark cherries, rum.
M: Surprisingly sharp on the tongue, especially with the reasonably mild carbonation and easy swallow. Some warmth in the chest, mouth and throat after the swallow.
O: I was in a rush when I drank this, to my regret. It's an exceptionally good beer that needs to be sat on, not drunk in a hurry, because you have to be somewhere else!
Cheers!
#407
Reviewed by Ernald_Elbertson from Delaware
4.55/5 rDev +4.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
4.55/5 rDev +4.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
One of the best Doppelbocks you can get. Rich, dark, lager with similarities to other dark, high abv old-world beers (think Robust British porters, Foreign Export Stouts, and Wee Heavies). Very well balanced unlike a lot of American versions, which approach 10% and more resemble barlywines. Full of rich malty flavors, a low-moderate roasty character, moderate dark fruit sweetness, moderate boozy flavor, toffee, and small chocolate and coffee notes. Hops help to provide moderate bitterness and floral notes. Nothing is overwhelming, but all are decidedly present. Carbonation is substantial; not quite the level of belgian ales, but far more than british styles. Think moody taverns, bonfires in autumn with company, and thanksgiving gatherings. Pairs well with soft cheeses and fruity desserts.
Oct 24, 2023Reviewed by kryan747 from Maine
4.27/5 rDev -1.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
4.27/5 rDev -1.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Really great beer, strong smell of caramel maltiness , almost a deep dark fruity quality to the nose; taste was of briefly coffee then a nice lasting malt finish, very drinkable, very enjoyable
Oct 11, 2023
Celebrator from Ayinger Privatbrauerei
Beer rating:
96 out of
100 with
7064 ratings
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