About 3 weekends ago, Mrs. Meister's Aunt Angie and Uncle Bill were visiting from Florida so we were invited up to her cousin Tom and his wife Claire's house in Clarks Summit. If you remember when my Beer Meister column was in The Times Leader, I chronicled my trip to the sunshine state to visit Angie and Bill by writing about the good times I had and the beer that I drank. Anyway, I always enjoy going to Tom and Claire's house because I get to see all of our relatives and I know that Tom will have a few really good beers tucked away in the bowels of his refrigerator. You see, Tom is not a huge beer drinker, however when he does drink one, it is a top of the line import usually from Germany.
When we arrived at Tom and Clarie's house we were greeted with smiling faces, hugs and kisses and the fantastic aroma of marinara sauce with meatballs simmering on the stove. OMG, did it smell good! Angie and Bill are renowned throughout family circles for their pasta and meatballs which are served at almost every get together. Now that all of the hello's have been completed, I asked if there was any beer. In anticipation of my question, Tom said yes there is, so follow me to the fridge in the garage.
When Tom opened the door of the refrigerator, it was like a scene from a movie where one thing stands out in a halo of golden sunshine with angels singing. You know what I am talking about. Encompassed in this halo of heavenly light was a bottle of Celebrator Dopple Bock from Ayinger Brewery in Germany. This was the one, the beer that I had to have right at that moment.
THE REVIEW
Celebrator Dopple Bock
Ayinger Brewery, Ayinger, Germany / 6.7% ABV
Sight: This beer pours an opaque dark brown color with reddish hues throughout. A really gorgeous color. The head was a tan color, thick and hearty that lasted for quite some time. A really nice looking beer.
Aroma: With first sniff you will get a bread like sweetness followed by back notes of caramel and chocolate. As this beer warms up a bit, it transforms somewhat to include faint hints of currents and cherries. A very complex and delightful aroma.
Taste: Have you ever tasted heaven? As you sip this beer, you will taste a malty chocolate and caramel combination right up front followed by back notes of cherries and what I thought may have been black pepper. Like the aroma, as this beer warms up, the flavors really pop. This was a smooth and complex tasting beer with all of the flavors hitting the palate just at the right time.
Overall, this is one of the best beers that I have tried in quite some time. Its smoothness and complex aromas and flavors will delight your senses. At a 6.7% ABV, you can enjoy a few Celebrator Dopple Bocks when gathering with family and friends. I would recommend pairing up this beer with a big slab of chocolate cake, a slice of cheesecake drizzled with chocolate and strawberry or while simply eating strawberries (thanks Becky). I can tell you one thing, around the holidays this year, I will have several bottles of Celebrator Dopple Bock in my refrigerator. For more information about this beer and more beers from Ayinger Brewery, go to https://www.ayinger.de/cms/index.php/startpage.html As for the Meister Meter below, you will rarely see a beer get a 5. It has to be extra special and the Celebrator Dopple Bock is just that.
5= Outstanding
4= Very Good
3= Good
2=Fair
1=Skunk
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