Arcobrau Coronator 6Pk

Arcobrau Coronator 6Pk is a 7.2% ABV Bavarian Doppelbock from Arcobräu Gräfliches Brauhaus in Lower Bavaria, Germany, sold as a six-pack. This robust lager stands out for its use of water drawn from the brewery's own ancient mineral well — more than 300 feet deep — and a proprietary yeast strain preserved at the renowned Weihenstephan University, resulting in a Doppelbock of notable depth and authenticity.

Quick Facts: ABV: 7.2%  |  Origin: Moos, Lower Bavaria, Germany  |  Style: Doppelbock  |  Brewery: Arcobräu Gräfliches Brauhaus  |  Format: 6-Pack

Production & Heritage

Arcobräu Gräfliches Brauhaus is located in the town of Moos in Lower Bavaria, a region with deep roots in traditional German brewing. The Coronator is brewed as a classic Doppelbock with an original wort concentration exceeding 18%, contributing to its full body and elevated 7.2% ABV. Two production details distinguish it from many peers: the brewery sources pure water from its own deep mineral well on-site, and it propagates yeast from a strain specifically stored in the vaults of Weihenstephan University — the world's oldest active brewery and a leading center of brewing science. These elements anchor the Coronator firmly in the Bavarian Doppelbock tradition while giving it a house character difficult to replicate elsewhere.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with a complex wave of malty caramelization and toasty bread, followed by hints of toffee and brown sugar. A subtle warmth from the 7.2% alcohol rounds out the bouquet without becoming aggressive.

Taste: On the palate, caramel leads the charge at entry, followed by a mid-palate shift toward rye bread, molasses-like sweetness, and touches of cocoa powder. At its peak, dark fruit notes emerge alongside layers of brown sugar, while a measured spicy hop bitterness provides the counterweight needed to keep the malt from becoming cloying.

Finish: The finish is medium-long, with a lingering maple-like sweetness and a gentle hoppy bitterness that dries the palate cleanly. The texture remains smooth and full-bodied throughout, befitting a well-made Doppelbock.

How to Drink Coronator

Serve the Coronator at 45–50°F in a tulip glass or traditional Bavarian stoneware mug; a slight chill preserves the malt complexity without numbing it. Drinking it neat — without garnish or modifier — is the most rewarding approach, as the layered caramel and bread character speaks best on its own.

• Bock Float: Pour over a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream for a Bavarian take on a beer float — the malty sweetness and cocoa undertones pair naturally with dairy richness.
• Dark Lager Shandy: A half-and-half mix with sparkling lemonade tames the ABV and creates a refreshing warm-weather drink while preserving caramel malt flavor.
• Doppelbock Old Fashioned: Use a small measure in place of simple syrup alongside bourbon — the toasty bread and brown sugar character adds malt-driven depth to the classic template.

Best For

• Cold-weather evenings paired with hearty German or Alpine cuisine
• Gifting to a craft beer enthusiast exploring traditional European styles
• Building a Doppelbock tasting flight alongside other Bavarian benchmarks
• After-dinner sipping as a dessert-course alternative

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Coronator taste like? Arcobrau Coronator is dominated by rich caramel and toasty brown bread flavors, supported by cocoa, brown sugar, and dark fruit, with a balancing spicy hop bitterness on the close. The overall impression is malty, full-bodied, and smooth at 7.2% ABV.

How does Coronator compare to Weihenstephaner Korbinian? Both are traditional Bavarian Doppelbocks in the same ABV range, but Korbinian tends to lean slightly more toward dark fruit and a drier finish, while Coronator emphasizes caramel sweetness and toasty bread with a maple-like close. The two share a common thread through Weihenstephan — Arcobräu propagates its yeast from a strain stored at Weihenstephan University, where Korbinian is brewed.

Is Coronator good for sipping neat? Yes — its layered malt profile, moderate carbonation, and smooth 7.2% ABV make it well-suited for slow, contemplative sipping at cellar temperature without any additions.

Where is Coronator made? Coronator is brewed at Arcobräu Gräfliches Brauhaus in Moos, a small town in the Lower Bavaria region of Germany. The brewery draws water from its own on-site mineral well, which reaches more than 300 feet underground.

What foods pair well with Coronator? Roasted pork shank (Schweinshaxe) mirrors its malty richness. Aged Gruyère or Comté cheeses complement the toffee and brown sugar notes. Chocolate torte or flourless chocolate cake echoes its cocoa undertones. Hearty beef stew with root vegetables stands up to the full body. Pretzels with obatzda (Bavarian cheese spread) make a classic regional match.

What sizes does Coronator come in? The Arcobrau Coronator is commonly available in a six-pack format, which is the standard retail configuration found in most markets.

Is Coronator worth the price? Coronator positions as a mid-priced import Doppelbock, sitting comfortably within the range of other traditional Bavarian examples like Ayinger Celebrator and Weihenstephaner Korbinian. For a genuine Bavarian Doppelbock brewed with proprietary well water and a Weihenstephan yeast strain, it represents solid value within the style.

Why Coronator?

What separates the Coronator from the crowded field of Doppelbocks is its water source and yeast provenance — two foundational ingredients that most breweries simply cannot duplicate. The ancient mineral well provides a mineral profile specific to the Moos site, while the Weihenstephan-origin yeast contributes fermentation characteristics rooted in centuries of Bavarian brewing science. With a wort gravity exceeding 18% and a clean 7.2% ABV, this is a textbook Doppelbock that earns its place alongside more widely known names in the category through raw material pedigree rather than marketing. For anyone serious about exploring the Doppelbock style at its most traditional, the Coronator is a benchmark worth seeking out.