Has Anyone Tried Paulaner Salvator?

[BAH]

If anyone here has tried the Paulaner Salvator, I would love to hear a description of what it tasted like and a description of its color and head.

Thanks

BAH

[steveh]

While it's been almost a year since I've sampled the Salvator, I've consumed it many times - including at Paulaner's Salvator Keller in Munich. If it's been restored from its recent fire, it's a great bier hall and garten.

The color is a dark brown and if held to the light will show ruby red. The head is tan to white. It has a strong, sweet malt aroma (almost molasses) with undertones of the evident alcohol of a double bock (the original double bock, as a matter of fact). Flavor is intensely malty and sweet, near syrupy, with the same alcohol undertones as in the nose. If you are familiar with Imperial Stouts, they would be a good comparison - while, being a lager, the Salvator tends toward a cleaner finish. It is definitely a sipping beer at 7% abv, plus or minus. There is little to no hop nose or flavor - as usual to the Doppelbock style.

Of note, I have sampled Salvator on draft at times and have been less than impressed. I have the feeling that it doesn't sell as quickly as other beers and tends to stale behind the bar - difficult for a high gravity beer, but it will happen over time.

Similar beers to the style available in the U.S. are Spaten's Optimator, Aying's Celebrator, as well as Capital Brewing's Dark Doppelbock and Sam Adam's Doppelbock.

S.

[Brewdepest]

I enjoy the Salvator, but I know that at my favorite local drinking hole, your theory about it not selling as well as others is pretty right on. The other Paulaners do much better. However, I do prefer the tap as opposed to the bottle. I've not yet forked out the cash for the pony kegs down the block, so I have not report on that.

[guzzler67]

Try this site: www.ratebeer.com

There are over 290 opinions for this beer alone.

[steveh]

Originally posted by Brewdepest I've not yet forked out the cash for the pony kegs down the block, so I have not report on that.

Are you talking about the 5 litre, gravity dispense cans that German beers are appearing in now? My local has them for around $15 (IIRC) and they're great for parties, picnics, camp-outs etc.

I brought one of the Paulaner Oktoberfest kegs to a camp-out last year and it was great. You haven't seen Salvator in one of these kegs have you?

S.

[chazwicke]

Salvator is definitely a winter/spring beer as are most of the beers that end with the "ator" suffix. They are Dopplebocks and are usually very potent. My favorite was on I tried in Bad Reichenhal (spelling) between Munich and Salzbourg. It was called Suffikator.

[steveh]

While it's been almost a year since I've sampled the Salvator...

In the interest of science...and tasty beer, I picked up a bottle of Salvator to sample last night. I'll stand by my original review with these amendments. Salvator isn't as dark as I recall (age sneaking up, change in recipe, cross-remembrance with another doppelbock?), the bottle I had was a deep copper color with red overtones when held to the light. The head was light tan to white as I'd remembered from the past, very thick at first pour and "reviveable" with some swirls through the duration of the glass-full.

The nose was as I'd described, but with the slightest diacytel as it warmed. Not offensive, and true to style.

The flavor was as I'd described with maybe a bit more roasted malt, but not overpowering. There was a definite malty, molasses flavor in the aftertaste. But the body was less syrupy and tended toward dry with the alcohol dominating - very warming in the finish of a mouthful.

The "drink by" date on the bottle was 02.04 - a testiment to the alcohol as a preservative.

S.

[Brewdepest]

steveh

quote:
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Originally posted by steveh Are you talking about the 5 litre, gravity dispense cans that German beers are appearing in now? My local has them for around $15 (IIRC) and they're great for parties, picnics, camp-outs etc.

I brought one of the Paulaner Oktoberfest kegs to a camp-out last year and it was great. You haven't seen Salvator in one of these kegs have you?

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Yeah, I believe that's what I'm talking about. They look like little kegs with the spicket towards the bottom and a little air release on the top.

My usual liquor store had them last time I looked, but now I think they may have some of last year's Oktoberfest...I'm not planning on taking a trip back down the block for a few days, but I'll definitely report back when I do. They were tagged at $23.99.

[steveh]

Originally posted by Brewdepest They were tagged at $23.99.
Yow!! I know my store has 'em much cheaper than that.

S.

[Brewdepest]

Yep. I was in Florida a few months ago and came across a pony keg of Spaten for $15.99. I think I just live in a cruddy beer area and that accounts for the ridiculous inflation.

[Beerconnoisseur]

Try this site: www.ratebeer.com

You could also try Beer Advocate (http://www.beeradvocate.com) for more info.

Now, as doppelbocks, go, Paulaner Salvator is OK. But the one I really love is the Doppelbock brewed by Tucher. That's some outstanding stuff.

[bhoshour]

I can't say that I was impressed by Paulaner's Salvator. It seemed to be lacking a little something, though it's been so long since I had it, that I probably shouldn't even be posting about it. The only doppelbock I've had lately was Tommyknocker's Butthead. Wow, that was some potent stuff. Very malty (alot of caramel) malt, poor carbonation, and a nice alcohol aftertase. I wish there were more beers of the style to try.

[steveh]

Originally posted by bhoshour
I wish there were more beers of the style to try.

Bhoshour - follow your nose to the source of your signature quote:
http://www.capital-brewery.com/ddopp.htm

Check out their Blonde Doppel, Weizen Doppel, Maibock, Autumnal Fire, Winter Skaal, Fest and Oktoberfest while you're at it!

S.

[bhoshour]

Steve, thanks. I'll give them a try and let you know!!