Spaten is one of Munich’s great old breweries, and Optimator is its doppelbock, a strong dark lager in the same rich tradition as Ayinger’s Celebrator. It is smooth, malty and warming, the kind of dark lager the Bavarian monks would recognise. It is a great-value way into the doppelbock style. I picked one up for this guide.
Spaten Optimator at a glance
| Style | Doppelbock |
| ABV | 7.6% |
| Calories | Around 230 per 12 fl oz |
| Brewery | Spaten, Munich, Germany |
| Character | Chocolate, toffee, dark fruit, smooth |
| Best served | Lightly chilled, in a goblet |
How it tastes, by the numbers
This is a strong, dark, malt-driven lager, smooth and warming rather than sweet or heavy.
The full review
It pours a deep, dark reddish-brown with a creamy tan head. The aroma is rich and malty, dark chocolate, toffee, raisin and toasted bread.
The flavour follows through with layers of chocolate, caramel and dark fruit over a smooth, full body. There is a gentle bitterness and a clean lager finish that keeps the sweetness in check, and at 7.6% a pleasant warming glow.
It is not quite as refined or silky as Ayinger’s Celebrator, but it is a very good, honest doppelbock and usually a fair bit cheaper, which makes it a great everyday way to enjoy the style. Smooth, rich and satisfying.
A classic dark lager from a historic Munich brewery. If you like rich, malty beers, it is well worth a go.
A great-value way into the doppelbock style from one of Munich’s great old breweries.
- A classic Munich doppelbock
- Rich chocolate and toffee malt
- Smooth and warming at 7.6%
- Great value for the style
- Not as refined as Ayinger Celebrator
- Rich, so a sipper not a session beer
Who it is for
If you want a rich, dark, malty lager or a great-value entry into doppelbock, Optimator is a solid classic. Perfect for cold evenings.
Spaten Optimator FAQs
What does Spaten Optimator taste like?
Rich dark chocolate, toffee, caramel and dark fruit over a smooth, full body, with a gentle bitterness and a clean lager finish. It is malty and warming at 7.6%.
Is Spaten Optimator a doppelbock?
Yes. Optimator is Spaten’s doppelbock, a strong dark Munich lager in the classic Bavarian tradition, and like most doppelbocks its name ends in -ator.
How strong is Spaten Optimator?
It is 7.6% ABV, a strong beer that is best sipped rather than drunk in quantity.
Where to buy Spaten Optimator
Spaten Optimator is available in bottles across much of the US. Buy it using the button above and sip it slowly.
The verdict
Spaten Optimator is a classic Munich doppelbock, strong, dark and smooth with rich chocolate and toffee malt. It is not quite Ayinger Celebrator, but it is an honest, great-value way to enjoy the style.
FAQs
Who makes Spaten Optimator?
Spaten Optimator is brewed by Spaten (part of Spaten-Franziskaner-Brau, owned by Anheuser-Busch InBev (AB InBev)).
What kind of beer is Spaten Optimator?
Spaten Optimator is a Doppelbock, at 7.6% ABV.
How much alcohol is in Spaten Optimator?
Spaten Optimator has an ABV of 7.6%.
How many calories are in Spaten Optimator?
Spaten Optimator has Around 230 per 12 fl oz, based on the brewery’s published nutrition information.
Is Spaten Optimator gluten free?
No. Like most traditional beers, Spaten Optimator is brewed from barley and/or wheat, both of which contain gluten.
How can I make Spaten Optimator taste better?
Serve it at the right temperature and in the right glass (see below), or use it as the base for a beer cocktail. Our beer cocktails guide has recipes worth trying.
Where is Spaten Optimator made?
Spaten Optimator is brewed by Spaten in Munich, Germany. For more from that country, see our best Germany beers guide.
What is a good alternative to Spaten Optimator?
If you can’t find Spaten Optimator, Ayinger Celebrator Doppelbock is a close alternative in the same Doppelbock category.
How do I open Spaten Optimator without a bottle opener?
A lighter, a sturdy key, a spoon, or the edge of a table all work in a pinch. See our full guide on opening a beer without a bottle opener for 8 methods that actually work.
What glass should I use for Spaten Optimator?
Lightly chilled, in a goblet. See our beer glassware guide if you want to match the glass to the style exactly.
