Ayinger Celebrator Doppelbock

Beer: Ayinger Celebrator Doppelbock
Brewery Location: Aying, Germany
Beer Style: Doppelbock
Serving Style: Bottle
ABV: 6.7%


Bocks have a rather interesting story in Germany. The bock style gained popularity in Germany with the Roman Catholic Church. Monks were required to fast during lent, and this beer being higher in gravity than regular lagers provided more sustenance during the fasting periods. The word "bock" in German means goat, and you will often see billy-goats on the bottles and advertisements of bocks, and this bottle also has two billy-goats on the front of it.

The doppelbock style is from southern Bavaria. Something I didn't know about the history of the doppelbock style is why so many of the beers always end in "-ator." According to Wikipedia it is because the monks that first brewed this style named the beer "Salvator." In homage to that name most doppelbocks will end in "-ator."

This beer pours a deep mahogany with a very thin head that left just a swirl of itself for most of the beer. Malt is the strongest scent coming through, but there are scents of bread and brown sugar coming to life. The taste is packed with the malt showing flavors of coffee and dark chocolates. Possibly some dark fruits (raisins?) in there as well, but they are not very pronounced. It has a really nice smooth and creamy mouthfeel that is full bodied with low carbonation. This beer goes down quite easily and has very good drinkability with its moderate alcohol content.

I can recognize this beer for what it is. It really is outstanding for the style and a real pleasure to drink. I wouldn't reach for this that often though. The flavor is good on this beer, but just doesn't deliver on the amount of flavor I am looking for. Again, it is fantastic for the style, but I am just a little ho-hum over it.

Cheers!
Matt