Optimator is a German dark beer, or Doppelbock, brewed by Spaten-Franziskaner-Bräu. It is bottom-fermented, full-bodied, and has a deep dark colour and rich roasted malt flavour. It has an ABV of around 7.5%. While it may be hard to find in some areas, it can be purchased online from retailers such as Total Wine & More, BeerMenus, and Half Time Beverage.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Name | Spaten Optimator |
Brewery | Spaten-Franziskaner-Bräu |
ABV | 7.2% to 7.6% |
Calories | ~260 |
Style | Doppelbock |
Colour | Deep dark amber |
Flavour | Rich roasted malt, slight licorice, slight bitterness |
Food Pairing | German foods, chocolates, game, buttery and earthy cheeses |
Availability | May be difficult to find in some areas |
What You'll Learn
Spaten Optimator is a German beer
Spaten Optimator is a full-bodied beer, with a complex aroma and flavour profile. It has sweet, nutty, and roasty notes, with hints of brown sugar and molasses. It is considered an export-only brew and pairs well with German foods, chocolates, game, and buttery cheeses.
Spaten Optimator has received generally positive reviews, with some noting its smoothness and satisfying taste. However, a few reviews mention a bitterness and "numbing aftertaste". It is available for purchase online and at select liquor stores and specialty beer retailers.
Spaten Optimator is produced by the Spaten-Franziskaner-Bräu brewery, which has a long history dating back to the 14th century in Munich, Germany. The brewery has undergone several ownership changes over the centuries and has merged with other local breweries, such as Franziskaner in 1861. They are known for their innovation, being the first Munich brewery to brew a light lager using the Pilsner method in 1894.
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It's a Doppelbock
Optimator is a classic German Doppelbock, a strong lager with a rich malt flavour. Doppelbocks are a bigger and stronger version of the lower-gravity German-style bock beers, with the name "doppel" meaning "double". They were originally made by monks in Munich and are very food-friendly, with a colour ranging from copper to dark brown. Doppelbocks are full-bodied and have a higher alcoholic strength, typically ranging from 6.6-7.9% ABV.
Optimator has a deep dark colour and a rich roasted malt flavour. It is smooth and malty, with a slight licorice flavour and no noticeable alcohol. It has a buzz to it and is described as "boozy". It is also described as having a bitterness and a "numbing aftertaste". It is a bottom-fermented Doppel Bock and is considered an export-only brew.
The "-ator" suffix is a typical naming convention for Doppelbock beers, stemming from the original Salvator name given to the style by the Paulaner monks in Berlin during the 17th century. The monks believed that liquids cleansed both the body and the soul, and their "liquid bread" doppelbock was brewed to sustain them during their lengthy Lenten fasts.
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It's a full-bodied beer with a rich roasted malt flavour
Spaten Optimator is a full-bodied beer with a rich roasted malt flavour. It is a classic German dark beer, bottom-fermented 'Doppel Bock' with a deep, dark colour. It is a smooth, malty beverage with a slight licorice flavour and zero noticeable alcohol. It has a satisfying appearance, smell, and foaming during the pour, reminiscent of other German strong wheat ferments and Belgian Trappist ales.
The beer has a complex and appealing aroma, with sweet, nutty, and roasty notes. It is medium-bodied and easier to drink than expected for a beer of its strength. There is a lot going on in the flavour department, with toasty and roasty flavours, along with notes of brown sugar and molasses. It has a definite but not pronounced hop bitterness. The beer is very full but not overwhelming, making it an armchair sipper.
Spaten Optimator is brewed by Spaten-Franziskaner-Bräu or Spaten-Franziskaner-Löwenbräu (AB-InBev) in München, Germany. It is a popular beer that can be purchased online and at various liquor stores and specialty beer retailers. It is also sometimes available on tap at select pubs and restaurants, such as German restaurants and clubs.
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It's brewed by Spaten-Franziskaner-Bräu
Spaten-Franziskaner-Bräu GmbH is a brewery in Munich, Bavaria, Germany. It produces Spaten and Franziskaner beers, including the Spaten Optimator, a Doppelbock with 7.6% ABV.
The brewery has a long history, dating back to 1397 when the Welser Prew was first mentioned in Munich. The ownership changed frequently until 1854 when the brewery moved to its current location. It became the largest brewery in town in 1867.
Spaten-Franziskaner-Bräu has played a crucial role in establishing the superior worldwide reputation of German beer. They were early pioneers, setting up a network of committed import partners to continuously expand their export figures. The basis of their beers is the German Purity Law of 1516, also known as Reinheitsgebot, which states that beer can only be brewed from malt, hops, and water. Spaten adheres strictly to this law, using only the highest-quality raw materials. Their malt is sourced from barley grown primarily in Bavaria, their hops are grown in Hallertau north of Munich, and their water comes from their own deep wells, noted for its purity.
Spaten-Franziskaner-Bräu is one of the six brewers in Munich that produce beer for the Oktoberfest. Their Oktoberfestbier, for example, is produced in spring and sold in autumn for the festival. It has a 5.9% ABV.
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It's available at some liquor stores and can be ordered online
Spaten Optimator is a classic German dark beer, also known as a bottom-fermented Doppel Bock. It is full-bodied with a deep dark colour and a rich roasted malt flavour. It is slightly hoppy, with an ABV of 7.2% or 7.6%, depending on the source.
Spaten Optimator is available at some liquor stores, including Total Wine & More, and can also be purchased online from websites such as halftimebeverage.com. It is also available on beermenus.com, although it does not appear to be in stock at the moment.
If you are located in the United States, you may be able to find Spaten Optimator at your local liquor store or beer retailer. It is also worth checking online retailers or delivery services such as Drizzly, if these are available in your area.
Additionally, Spaten Optimator may be available at German clubs or restaurants in your area, particularly around Oktoberfest. It could be worth contacting these establishments to inquire about their stock or when they typically offer this beer.
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Frequently asked questions
Optimator beer is available at Total Wine & More, where you can purchase a 6-pack of 12oz bottles. It can also be purchased online from Halftime Beverage.
Optimator beer is available at various local liquor stores and can sometimes be found at Costco.
You can use websites such as Wine-Searcher or BeerMenus to locate retailers near you that sell Optimator beer.
Optimator beer can sometimes be found on tap at German restaurants and bars, and it may also be available at your local German club.