Złotonator
Goldfinger Brewing Company
- From:
- Goldfinger Brewing Company
- Illinois, United States
- Style:
- Doppelbock
Ranked #18 - ABV:
- 8.2%
- Score:
- 91
Ranked #7,716 - Avg:
- 4.15 | pDev: 4.82%
- Ratings:
- | reviews: 24
- Status:
- Active
- Rated:
- May 07, 2026
- Added:
- Jan 21, 2021
- Wants:
- 0
- Gots:
- 1
SCORE
91
Outstanding
91
Outstanding
The Munich monks invented the Doppelbock to sustain them during lengthy fasts, particularly during lent. This beer has a nice rich malty sweetness, deep flavors of molasses, caramel, and dark fruit finish with an earthy mineral quality. Often referred to as “liquid bread.” We brewed ours in honor of the legend of the Wawel Castle in Krakow, Poland.
Once upon a time, an evil dragon lived below Wawel Castle along the Vistula River in Krakow, Poland. Every day he wreaked havoc on the townspeople and their property. King Krakus promised his daughter's hand in marriage to whoever killed the dragon. A cobbler's apprentice, Skuba, outsmarted the dragon by placing a lamb stuffed with sulfur and hay outside his cave. The gluttonous dragon gobbled it up, but was immediately overcome by a burning sensation in his throat. Hoping to soothe the burn, he drank and drank from the river. But since water does not stop burning sulfur, gases kept building up inside his belly till the dragon exploded! Had the "Zlotonator" Doppelbock been around back then, it would not doubt have been the beer of choice at Skuba and Princess Wanda's wedding.
Once upon a time, an evil dragon lived below Wawel Castle along the Vistula River in Krakow, Poland. Every day he wreaked havoc on the townspeople and their property. King Krakus promised his daughter's hand in marriage to whoever killed the dragon. A cobbler's apprentice, Skuba, outsmarted the dragon by placing a lamb stuffed with sulfur and hay outside his cave. The gluttonous dragon gobbled it up, but was immediately overcome by a burning sensation in his throat. Hoping to soothe the burn, he drank and drank from the river. But since water does not stop burning sulfur, gases kept building up inside his belly till the dragon exploded! Had the "Zlotonator" Doppelbock been around back then, it would not doubt have been the beer of choice at Skuba and Princess Wanda's wedding.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Reviewed by jzlyo from Iowa
4.18/5 rDev +0.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
4.18/5 rDev +0.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Aroma is sweet fruit and big caramel/nutty malts. The flavor is fruit/mild stone fruit/plums, nutty malts and a classic doppelbock warming alcoholic/sweet caramel finish.
May 07, 2026
Reviewed by Whyteboar from Michigan
4.23/5 rDev +1.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
4.23/5 rDev +1.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
The pour is reddish copper in color with a very tall beige head that dissipated slowly and left islands of lacing.
The taste is white bread toast, figs and caramel. None of these are dense in taste, but very light.
The feel is just a little over crisp. Way too easy to quaff quickly.
OA, this would be a great beverage for most any event; enough flavor to hold its own against most cuisines.
Apr 20, 2026The taste is white bread toast, figs and caramel. None of these are dense in taste, but very light.
The feel is just a little over crisp. Way too easy to quaff quickly.
OA, this would be a great beverage for most any event; enough flavor to hold its own against most cuisines.
Reviewed by argock from Virginia
4.26/5 rDev +2.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
4.26/5 rDev +2.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
02/16/26. Poured into a large glass mug.
A: Burnished dark brown with short-lived offWhite head that leaves a cap with some wispy lacing at the top of the mug.
S: Dark bread and bread crusts, toast, and dark caramel with heavy melanoidins
T: Flavor echoes the aroma with bread crust, medium and dark caramel, prune, date, and melanoidins throughout the palate. Low-medium bitterness and soft alcohol sweetness. Earthy notes throughout.
M: Very drinkable with medium body, even carbonation, and medium finish.
O: Goldfinger Zlotonator is a wonderful doppelbock with classic flavors.
Mar 05, 2026A: Burnished dark brown with short-lived offWhite head that leaves a cap with some wispy lacing at the top of the mug.
S: Dark bread and bread crusts, toast, and dark caramel with heavy melanoidins
T: Flavor echoes the aroma with bread crust, medium and dark caramel, prune, date, and melanoidins throughout the palate. Low-medium bitterness and soft alcohol sweetness. Earthy notes throughout.
M: Very drinkable with medium body, even carbonation, and medium finish.
O: Goldfinger Zlotonator is a wonderful doppelbock with classic flavors.
Reviewed by snaotheus from Washington
3.77/5 rDev -9.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
3.77/5 rDev -9.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
2025-08-31
16oz can served in a snulip. Canned on 2/3/25. Bought it a couple weeks ago around Chicago at a Binny's.
Pours dark syrupy amber with a small head. Not much carbonation, looks thick. Smell is cooked dates and light toffee, molasses, raisins and raisin bread.
Taste is drier than I expected from the aroma. Crackery, but retains all the dates and raisins and toffee. Something bright and refreshing about it, which is not something I ever would have expected to say about a doppelbock.
Mouthfeel is medium, borderline thick and heavy. Overall, probably not going to satisfy die-hard doppelbock enthusiasts, but might be a good entry level doppelbock.
Aug 31, 202516oz can served in a snulip. Canned on 2/3/25. Bought it a couple weeks ago around Chicago at a Binny's.
Pours dark syrupy amber with a small head. Not much carbonation, looks thick. Smell is cooked dates and light toffee, molasses, raisins and raisin bread.
Taste is drier than I expected from the aroma. Crackery, but retains all the dates and raisins and toffee. Something bright and refreshing about it, which is not something I ever would have expected to say about a doppelbock.
Mouthfeel is medium, borderline thick and heavy. Overall, probably not going to satisfy die-hard doppelbock enthusiasts, but might be a good entry level doppelbock.
Reviewed by drdiesel9483 from Ohio
4.19/5 rDev +1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
4.19/5 rDev +1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Look - brownish red with slight head and great slightly off white rimming and lacing
Smell and Taste - malty caramel slight dark red cherry, taste is a step above the smell
Feel - medium slightly sticky body with a medium light slightly crisp carbonation
Overall - Really and outstanding dobblebock!
Aug 11, 2025Smell and Taste - malty caramel slight dark red cherry, taste is a step above the smell
Feel - medium slightly sticky body with a medium light slightly crisp carbonation
Overall - Really and outstanding dobblebock!
Reviewed by ZebulonXZogg from Illinois
4/5 rDev -3.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
4/5 rDev -3.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Nice brown color, big tan head, no lacing. Nice candy aroma and dark bread. Flavors are similar, there's some dark fruit and some malty sweetness.
Very nice.
Mar 02, 2025Very nice.
Reviewed by ovaltine from Indiana
4.42/5 rDev +6.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
4.42/5 rDev +6.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
Pours a crystal clear, rich copper color with a voluminous tan head that provides some lacing and caps the beer as you enjoy it. Absolutely gorgeous doppelbock.
The nose is led by rich caramel and molasses aromas, and there’s a smidge of stone fruit as well and an earthy herbal aroma as well. Wow.
The rich caramel and molasses likewise take center stage on the taste, lending a decadent taste that is balanced beautifully by the subtle stone fruit flavor and more substantial earthy flavor that really makes this beer “click” for me.
The mouthfeel is medium and lightly carbed, fitting the beer really well. This is an exceptionally well executed doppelbock that I’d gladly try again.
Mar 02, 2025The nose is led by rich caramel and molasses aromas, and there’s a smidge of stone fruit as well and an earthy herbal aroma as well. Wow.
The rich caramel and molasses likewise take center stage on the taste, lending a decadent taste that is balanced beautifully by the subtle stone fruit flavor and more substantial earthy flavor that really makes this beer “click” for me.
The mouthfeel is medium and lightly carbed, fitting the beer really well. This is an exceptionally well executed doppelbock that I’d gladly try again.
Reviewed by barnzy78 from Illinois
4.12/5 rDev -0.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
4.12/5 rDev -0.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
16oz can
Date stamped 1/29/24
L: deep caramel color with a mild reddish hue; foamy tan head
S: caramelized grain, brown sugar, toffee, herbal/earthy hops
T: sweet caramel and brown sugar, toffee, grain, bread crust, earthy/spicy/herbal hops
F: medium body, ample carbonation, dry and balanced finish
O: this is up there with the classic German brewed doppelbocks! Excellent!
Apr 21, 2024Date stamped 1/29/24
L: deep caramel color with a mild reddish hue; foamy tan head
S: caramelized grain, brown sugar, toffee, herbal/earthy hops
T: sweet caramel and brown sugar, toffee, grain, bread crust, earthy/spicy/herbal hops
F: medium body, ample carbonation, dry and balanced finish
O: this is up there with the classic German brewed doppelbocks! Excellent!
Reviewed by russpowell from Arkansas
4.29/5 rDev +3.4%
look: 2 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
4.29/5 rDev +3.4%
look: 2 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Pours an effervescent hazel with 2 fingers of tan head. Zero head retention & lacing
S: Brown bread & a touch of gingerbread, plus woody hops
T: Follows the nose, fairly dry, some leafy hops & a touch of brown sugar & toastyness up front. A hint of nuttiness sneaks in as this beer warms up, pretty toasty, hints of cinnamon & vanilla, some woody hops. Finishes toasty with woody hops, Brown Bread & a touch of Gingerbread
MF: Medium body, restrained carbonation, low end ABV wise for the style, but body says otherwise
Punches above its ABV weight, loads of flavor & drinkability
Apr 13, 2024S: Brown bread & a touch of gingerbread, plus woody hops
T: Follows the nose, fairly dry, some leafy hops & a touch of brown sugar & toastyness up front. A hint of nuttiness sneaks in as this beer warms up, pretty toasty, hints of cinnamon & vanilla, some woody hops. Finishes toasty with woody hops, Brown Bread & a touch of Gingerbread
MF: Medium body, restrained carbonation, low end ABV wise for the style, but body says otherwise
Punches above its ABV weight, loads of flavor & drinkability
Reviewed by Beginner2 from Illinois
4.04/5 rDev -2.7%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
4.04/5 rDev -2.7%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
A good enough interpretation of "liquid bread" for Lent. The only doppel or even bock from this young North American lager house, Zlotonator is what I'd expect. It was food friendly and malty enough, but also had a hoppy finish that played to the American palate. Since this brew already is successful, I suggest for malt-heads like me that Goldfinger brew another doppel in which the hops don't linger so long or prominently. Prost ! Na zdrowie !
Mar 26, 2024
Reviewed by Qbert from Illinois
4.18/5 rDev +0.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
4.18/5 rDev +0.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Dark amber in color. Some caramel, toffee, and brown sugar on the nose. Taste follows the nose but with some raisin and a definite sweetness. Body is light and slightly oily in texture. A great American doppelbock. Really hits the spot.
Mar 06, 2024
Reviewed by stortore from Illinois
4.21/5 rDev +1.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
4.21/5 rDev +1.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
16 ounce can into a pilsner glass. Canned 2/6/23, had 3/1/23.
Pours a copper tinged brown, semi opaque, with the first pour being mostly spongy and bubbly foam, with lots of clingy lacing. Aromas of caramel, dark bread, malt, molasses. Has a light spicy aroma. Flavors of caramel, malt, dark bread, molasses- less than the nose, a light herbal hop finish. Has a bit of a spicy taste. Smooth, a little dry on the finish, a very good medium body, well carbonated.
A very good example of the style. Strong aromas and flavors, and the bigger molasses presence was a nice twist. A touch lighter bodied for the style, but certainly not thin.
Jul 06, 2023Pours a copper tinged brown, semi opaque, with the first pour being mostly spongy and bubbly foam, with lots of clingy lacing. Aromas of caramel, dark bread, malt, molasses. Has a light spicy aroma. Flavors of caramel, malt, dark bread, molasses- less than the nose, a light herbal hop finish. Has a bit of a spicy taste. Smooth, a little dry on the finish, a very good medium body, well carbonated.
A very good example of the style. Strong aromas and flavors, and the bigger molasses presence was a nice twist. A touch lighter bodied for the style, but certainly not thin.
Reviewed by ZAP from Minnesota
4.19/5 rDev +1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
4.19/5 rDev +1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
L-Amber/dark brown color...good clarity
S-Sweet and candied...rich maltiness..dark fruits (dark berries, plums), bready...hints of caramel..
T-Toasted malts, bread crusts, lighter dark fruits (berries)
F-Pours with nice carbonation from the 16 ounce can...firm carbonation....upper side of medium bodied
O-Impressive doppelbock. Drinks pretty easy for the style while still displaying plenty of character.
Apr 11, 2023S-Sweet and candied...rich maltiness..dark fruits (dark berries, plums), bready...hints of caramel..
T-Toasted malts, bread crusts, lighter dark fruits (berries)
F-Pours with nice carbonation from the 16 ounce can...firm carbonation....upper side of medium bodied
O-Impressive doppelbock. Drinks pretty easy for the style while still displaying plenty of character.
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