Bomber of the Month: March
Ayinger Celebrator Doppelbock
By: André DiMattia
Published: 3/1/2012
Regular Price: $3.49/12.99
Sale Price: $2.99/10.99
Sale End: 3/31/2012
ABV: 6.7
Beer Advocate: 97
Rate Beer: 100
Before the modern direction of “imperializing” beer styles for the sake of experimentation or to fulfill the desire to venture into new fermentation territory, there was the now famous; Doppelbock. Translating easily as “Double Bock” the beer isn’t literally an actual doubling of all the characteristics from the standard bock beer. Instead, doppelbocks are condensed versions of the already somewhat strong-lager bockbier. Ranging in color from dark amber to nearly black, Doppelbocks were created as nourishing beverages to yield monks a certain amount of saving grace during their times of fasting. The original Doppelbock was named the Salvator or “Savior” and began the tradition of ending the name of all German brewed Doppelbocks with the suffix of “-ator”. One of the finest examples on the market is the Celebrator from the iconic Ayinger brewery.
Constantly rated as one of the world’s most highly acclaimed beers of the style; Celebrator is a landmark of the Doppelbock category. Initially established in 1878, the Ayinger beers are brewed with a purity that only comes from understanding the long history behind the varying styles of German beer. Currently six generations deep worth of brewing knowledge, the Inselkammer family stands out as a defining force of Bavarian brewing. Celebrator is brewed with water sourced from an on-site well and utilizes hops grown in the Hallertau region of Bavaria making it a beer that represents the style and character that can only be produced in this part of the world.
On to the Tasting Notes:
Celebrator pours with a darkness that could easily be mistaken for a porter or stout on first sight. Frothy bubbles emerge and crown the top of the glass while a cascading aroma of sweet malt and a faint woodiness engages the senses. There are some fruity tones not too far from wild flower honey, plums and fresh baked banana bread. Quite a wide spectrum of scents that are well layered and fulfilling with each sniff. The subtle smokiness works with the obviously sweet aroma, which melds, into a welcoming preparation for what unfolds on the palate.
Graham crackers, pumpernickel, green peppercorns, maple and sweet barley are all expressed on first sip. The richness isn’t cloying but is easily felt; one can see why these beers were claimed as “liquid bread”. Texturally, the beer simply coats the entire mouth with a medium-bodied sort of viscosity that transforms with a somewhat sharp perk of acidity near the end. Grape juice, pancakes and a little coffee emerge with further sips. With the weight and color of Celebrator, it’s almost impressive that the beer is only 6.7%. The sweetened body and warming qualities give a thought that the beer might be stronger than what is stated on the bottle. An impressive brew, very dynamic and truly a beverage that represents a flavor that can only be created from the hands of those built from tradition and honesty.
Food Pairing:
Having a somewhat untamed sweetness around the edges, Celebrator is a perfect pairing for wild flavors of game meats. Venison’s earthy qualities, quail’s distinctive aromas and the rustic depth of wild boar are greeted and pampered by the cooling rich flavors of the Doppelbock. The safe route would suggest a pork dish, hopefully one that came from the grill or the smoker. Meats with a natural fat would be a great way for the beer’s sweetened notes to emerge without weighing a meal down. Desserts with any degree of cream or caramelized flavors would find a perfect hand in hand moment if joined with Celebrator.
The Celebrator Doppelbock turns heads and gathers inspired attention from many of today’s beer enthusiasts. It’s an interesting dynamic to think about given that this style was born over a century ago. Even with the bold beers that break 15% in alcohol or are hopped with a forest worth of hop pellets, these old world German styles and still be seen as the original “Imperial” beers. Ayinger’s Celebrator will always be regarded as one of the world’s very best, and with any hope, things won’t ever change.