These are the notes from the beer review segment of the S3E14 Two Old Guys Drinking Beer podcast.
The Brewery
- Spaten-Franziskaner-Bräu GmbH - Munich, Bavaria, Germany.
- Owned by the Spaten-Löwenbräu-Gruppe, which is part of the Belgo-Brazilian company Anheuser-Busch InBev. Its products are beers of the brands Spaten and Franziskaner.
- Traces the origin back to 1397. In current location since 1867
- Began North American 1909
- Merged with Lowenbrau in 1997
- Sold to Interbrew in 2003, now A-B InBev
- Tours on first Friday of month and Saturdays
- Other beers:
- Franziskaner - hefeweizen
- Dunkel - dark lager
- Oktoberfest - Marzen
- Franciscan non-alcoholic
The Beer
- Spaten Optimator - bottom fermented dark beer "doppel bock" with a deep dark color and a rich roasted malt flavor
- ABV - 7.6%
- Calories - 150
- Malty, Rich, Toasty, Dark Fruit, full-bodied
- $8.99 six-pack bottles @ Total Wine
The Review
Spaten Optimator is a very good rich beer. The 7.6% ABV dictates that this is not a sessionable beer. Two would probably be a good stopping point. It will hold up to the richest German foods so consider it with your next brats and kraut meal. Dennis rated this a four (4) bottle cap brew. I was a little less enthusiastic and gave it three (3) bottle caps. We both enjoyed it and look forward to popping the cap again.
