Beer of the Weekend #42: Spaten Optimator
The beer this weekend is Spaten Optimator brewed by Spaten-Franziskaner-Bräu of Munich, Germany.
This weekend I almost took the plunge and bought Humboldt Brewing Company’s Hemp Ale. I did a little more research and decided it sounded like something I need to try. After all, the whole reason I started BotW was to drink different styles of beer (not that I wouldn’t have anyway) so I thought I should live up to the series’ purpose. Also, a self-proclaimed beer connoisseur and occasional marijuana smoker like myself would be crazy to pass up the opportunity to try a beer brewed with hemp; it’d be blasphemy. However, this week I decided to buy something I’ve been eyeing for a while. Hemp Ale will be next week’s BotW — I promise.
Spaten Optimator is a doppelbock, a style of beer I don’t think I’ve ever tried. “Bock” is the German word for a male goat, but according to Wikipedia the beer term is originally associated with the medieval brewing town of Einbeck. Bock is an especially strong lager, and doppelbock — “double bock” — is even stronger. (Perhaps the goat imagery is in reference to its kick. Just a thought.)
Serving type: Six 12-ounce bottles.
Appearance: Poured a very dark brown that has a slight ruby tint. A finger of tan head dissipated quickly, leaving a light lacing.
Smell: Remember when I said I always smelled the underside of the cap after opening a bottle? Well, I don’t do that anymore. Just though I’d mention it. The initial scent is an intense, deep, and pleasing fruity aroma reminding me of apple cider. However, it’s more tart and I’m unable to place it; cherry is the only thing that comes to mind. There is also the typical barnyard malt scent common with German lager, as well as a hint of caramel. Other reviews mention chocolate but I didn’t detect it.
Taste: Wow. And I thought the smell was complex and satisfying. It’s like a lager-hefeweizen dunkel hybrid. The strong fruity notes from the smell are present — apple and cherry — as well as smooth caramel. I can also taste the malts, and there is a touch of hop bitterness. The taste is very clean.
Drinkability: Let me say it again: wow. That was impressive. The taste and smell are complex like a hefeweizen, yet clean and smooth like a lager. Frankly, I think I’m making it sound better than it is, but this stuff is truly good brew. It’s a slow drinking, “take your time” beer. Enjoy every last drop.
Fun facts about Spaten Optimator:
-Serving temperature: 45-50°F.
-Alcohol content: 7.2 percent ABV.
-The BeerAdvocate definition says doppelbocks “contain enough malty goodness that they’ve been considered a meal in a glass for centuries.”
-Food pairings, as suggested by BeerAdvocate, are German cuisine (like kraut and sausage?), cheese (Brie, Gouda, and Swiss are mentioned), chocolate, and game meat.
-Ideally, Spaten Optimator should be drunk in a pilsner glass or stein. I don’t have either so I’m using one of my trusty tumbler pints.
-Doppelbock’s vary in color, ranging between dark amber to black. The darker versions feature chocolate or coffee notes like stouts and porters.
The Quite Man’s grade: A-.
This weekend I almost took the plunge and bought Humboldt Brewing Company’s Hemp Ale. I did a little more research and decided it sounded like something I need to try. After all, the whole reason I started BotW was to drink different styles of beer (not that I wouldn’t have anyway) so I thought I should live up to the series’ purpose. Also, a self-proclaimed beer connoisseur and occasional marijuana smoker like myself would be crazy to pass up the opportunity to try a beer brewed with hemp; it’d be blasphemy. However, this week I decided to buy something I’ve been eyeing for a while. Hemp Ale will be next week’s BotW — I promise.
Spaten Optimator is a doppelbock, a style of beer I don’t think I’ve ever tried. “Bock” is the German word for a male goat, but according to Wikipedia the beer term is originally associated with the medieval brewing town of Einbeck. Bock is an especially strong lager, and doppelbock — “double bock” — is even stronger. (Perhaps the goat imagery is in reference to its kick. Just a thought.)
Serving type: Six 12-ounce bottles.
Appearance: Poured a very dark brown that has a slight ruby tint. A finger of tan head dissipated quickly, leaving a light lacing.
Smell: Remember when I said I always smelled the underside of the cap after opening a bottle? Well, I don’t do that anymore. Just though I’d mention it. The initial scent is an intense, deep, and pleasing fruity aroma reminding me of apple cider. However, it’s more tart and I’m unable to place it; cherry is the only thing that comes to mind. There is also the typical barnyard malt scent common with German lager, as well as a hint of caramel. Other reviews mention chocolate but I didn’t detect it.
Taste: Wow. And I thought the smell was complex and satisfying. It’s like a lager-hefeweizen dunkel hybrid. The strong fruity notes from the smell are present — apple and cherry — as well as smooth caramel. I can also taste the malts, and there is a touch of hop bitterness. The taste is very clean.
Drinkability: Let me say it again: wow. That was impressive. The taste and smell are complex like a hefeweizen, yet clean and smooth like a lager. Frankly, I think I’m making it sound better than it is, but this stuff is truly good brew. It’s a slow drinking, “take your time” beer. Enjoy every last drop.
Fun facts about Spaten Optimator:
-Serving temperature: 45-50°F.
-Alcohol content: 7.2 percent ABV.
-The BeerAdvocate definition says doppelbocks “contain enough malty goodness that they’ve been considered a meal in a glass for centuries.”
-Food pairings, as suggested by BeerAdvocate, are German cuisine (like kraut and sausage?), cheese (Brie, Gouda, and Swiss are mentioned), chocolate, and game meat.
-Ideally, Spaten Optimator should be drunk in a pilsner glass or stein. I don’t have either so I’m using one of my trusty tumbler pints.
-Doppelbock’s vary in color, ranging between dark amber to black. The darker versions feature chocolate or coffee notes like stouts and porters.
The Quite Man’s grade: A-.
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