Maifest
Millstream Brewing Company

MaifestMaifest
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From:
Millstream Brewing Company
 
Iowa, United States
Style:
Maibock
ABV:
5.5%
Score:
85
Avg:
3.73 | pDev: 9.92%
Reviews:
33
Ratings:
35
Status:
Retired
Rated:
Jul 19, 2013
Added:
Aug 28, 2002
Wants:
  2
Gots:
  0
No description / notes.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by packetknife:
Photo of packetknife
Reviewed by packetknife from Idaho

3.7/5  rDev -0.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Dark orange, through with small bubbles, fluffy white head that head to the finish. Slightly spicy on the nose, just for a moment, gives way to something like fresh white curled bread. Roasted malts and a bit of hopiness across the tongue. Leaves a sweet aftertaste that lingers for a long while. Carbonation was just about right, drinkable. Something to enjoy year-round IMO.
Feb 08, 2004
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 3.75 by WOLFGANG from South Carolina

Jul 19, 2013
 
Rated: 3.75 by uturn from Florida

Jan 16, 2013
Photo of PirateUlf73
Reviewed by PirateUlf73 from Illinois

3.74/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
Bottle had a nice label with a picture depicting two young maidens dancing 'round a maypole (of all things). Poured into a cylindrical Spaten glass.

A: Light amber in color and clear. Head went down slightly but never completely dissipated.

S: Sweet malts and yeast on the nose for the most part. Slight breadiness as well as a smidgen of hops, but not much.

T: Again, sweet, bready malt, yeast and a smattering of hops. Slight fruitiness and ester notes as well. I must confess that I'm not intimately familiar with this style, but the flavor DOES seem appropriate for a springtime beer.

M: Good carbonation, light to medium body.

D: Silky smooth and balanced nicely, leaning toward the malt, but containing enough of a hop presence to clean things up.

As I said, I've not much experience with Maibocks, but left to its own devices this was a very solid beer. Interesting that it comes from Iowa. I'd like to try some more of this style. I would definitely recommend this one to anyone trying to branch out and try new styles.

P.S. - I noticed that the label in the picture on the website and the one on my bottle are completely different. I wonder if mine was a limited release(?). I picked this up as part of a mix-a-six pack and there were only two bottles of this kind left. Guess I'll have to do some more research...
Jan 07, 2009
Photo of mhewes
Reviewed by mhewes from Colorado

2.71/5  rDev -27.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 2
A : Pours a copper color with a small white head.

S : Very weak smell. Can barely make out some malt and orange aromas

T : There's a caramel malt flavor and not much else. Maybe a tiny hint of bitterness on the finish

M : Crisp but thin and watery

D : It was easy to drink but there wasn't much to it flavorwise. Not one I'd go back for.
Aug 12, 2008
Photo of tayner
Reviewed by tayner from Arizona

3.18/5  rDev -14.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 4
12 oz stubby bottle, says maifest lager on the bottle, notched march, courtesy of BuckeyeNation

Poured a copper color with a frothy white and small head, light lacing.

light smell of spices, pepper and almost like rosemary.. strange.

taste was of slight sweetness from caramel malt, but really tasted quite watery and thin. There was only slightly hopped finish, barely noticable at the end.

Mouthfeel was light and watery, thin and not all that carbonated.

This is a mild tasting, lightly carbonated lager you could throw back a sixer of and think nothing of it, literally and figuratively. I would not choose to drink this one, but i could see why people would suck it down in the hot summer at a bbq.
Jun 03, 2008
Photo of deltatauhobbit
Reviewed by deltatauhobbit from Maine

3.09/5  rDev -17.2%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Thanks to pepsican for this LIF return extra (say that three times fast)

Pours a golden/honey color with a small head that fades fast and leaves no lacing.

Smell is rather weak, I can barely make out any aroma, slight malty sweetness and orange but I had to strain my nose to find it.

Taste is crisp, decent slickness of the mouth, much drier than I expected though, caramel and malt the most present with a slight citrus/bitterness to balance it.
May 29, 2008
Photo of orangemoustache
Reviewed by orangemoustache from Illinois

4.1/5  rDev +9.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
This pours a slightly hazy burnt orannge with a creamy looking head that leaves very little lace as it recedes.The nose is all banana bread as far as I'm concerned,it smells great.This thing is malty and sweet with a nice hint of almond in the aftertaste.A medium body and tame carbonation makes this super drinkable stuff somthing that could be enjoyed any time of the year!Damn fine Lager.
May 16, 2008
Photo of pmcadamis
Reviewed by pmcadamis from Illinois

4.34/5  rDev +16.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5
A - A nice finger of tan/orange head rises above a cloudy deep brown/orange brew. The beer looks dirty and gritty....that's a goog thing with me! The head disappears after a few minutes, but it leaves a lot of really pretty lace on the glass.

S - Super malty! Biscuits and sweet molasses with some orange-rind-flecked chocolate candy too. Lots of toffee and maple syrup along with some really fruity hops.

T - Pancakes drizzled in maple syrup with a big glass of fresh orange juice. This is a malt bomb for sure, but the fruity flavors keep it interesting and lively. Big hops come out with warmth. This is nicely balanced.

M - Medium bodied with mellow carbonation and a very firm and solid mouthfeel. Alcohol is slightly apparent, but that only adds to the tight and firm feeling.

D - Interesting and highly drinkable stuff! I'm quite impressed with Millstream's lagers!
Nov 08, 2007
Photo of BigBry
Reviewed by BigBry from Canada (AB)

3.7/5  rDev -0.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
One final bottle left from the parents trip to the Amana Brewery. 12 oz. stubby brown bottle, bottling date notch along the right side of label.
Color is quite orange, slightly hazy an off white head, not a lot of retention, shrinking to a thin cap and even thinner lacing. Smells like toasted grain, and some slightly fruity or flowery hops. Flavor of grain, bready and caramel malts. Sharp hops finish, but no lingering bitterness. Good carbonation, smooth taste, dry finish. Another good tasting, easy to drink beer, in a unique style.
Nov 03, 2007
Photo of jhammerly
Reviewed by jhammerly from Nebraska

3.38/5  rDev -9.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Being that I can't handle too much Bock beer, this was a pleasant surprise for me. I just don't care too much for the sweetness that most Bocks offer. This one may be a bit weak for most lovers of this style, but for me, it is very drinkable.

It pours a light copper with a decent head. A hint of caramel that isn't overwhelming touches the nose. The taste and mouthfeel are light to medium. This is a good beer for the Spring time.
Jul 22, 2006
Photo of neonbrown82
Reviewed by neonbrown82 from Nebraska

4.06/5  rDev +8.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
This is a pretty solid Maibock from my local brewers. Probably my favorite from Millstream so far. The beer pours to a nice golden amber with a nice carbonation and a decent fluffy white head. Lacing is decent.

The smell is somewhat lacking, however. A feint little bit of sweet with some caramel malty notes, but only when huffing the glass like a shoe polish addict.

The taste is good. Sweet with a very slightly roasted caramel malt flavor. Fairly crisp. Fairly clean for a Millstream beer as well. Very soft palatable flavors. This is an easy spring drinker.
May 12, 2006
Photo of hero27
Reviewed by hero27 from Minnesota

3.57/5  rDev -4.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
12 oz bottle.

I almost added this as a new beer...the label is different from the picture.. a painting of two women, and it says it's a "Maifest Lager". However, from reading a few of the reviews, it sounds like the same beer.

Light bronze color with a thin white head of froth. The aroma is toasted malts and some hints of caramel. Light malt sweetness, honey, and some orange peel round out the flavor. Surprisingly refreshing. I may have a few more of these throughout the summer.
May 01, 2006
Photo of maxpower
Reviewed by maxpower from Missouri

3.5/5  rDev -6.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
12 oz bottle pours a clear bright amber-copper color with a nice foamy lasting off white head that leaves some lacing in my glass. Has a sweet fruity apple aroma. Sweet, malty caramel, honey and apple flavors, medium body with a slick and smooth mouthfeel, finishes sweet.
Apr 28, 2006
Photo of Beertracker
Reviewed by Beertracker from Oklahoma

3.45/5  rDev -7.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Millstream Brewing Company's self-titled Maifest was on tap during my last visited. The Maifest poured up creamy & smooth into a red logo house pounder (pint) glass. The Maifest had a gorgeous deep golden-orangish amber color with a dense, rocky top that faded all to quickly. The clarity suffered some from the cold serving temps as well. The aroma had a nice toasted cracker/soda bread nose with just a touch of honey & spicy Noble hops. The flavor starts off rather toasty with some definite Munich derived malt character, but the bitterness just never seems to catch-up causing the finish to be syrupy (caramel) & sweet with just a touch of yeastiness. There's some rich creaminess in this medium-full bodied lager, but IMO it could use a touch more alcohol, bitterness & carbonation to livin' things up a bit. I found Millstream's Maifest to not be as generous as a traditional German-style Maibock, but still well worth the visit. This one would pair nicely with honey braised short ribs and a golden baked sweet potato smothered in cinnamon butter, marshmallow cream & raisins.

CHEERS! Beertracker
Sep 15, 2005
Photo of PatYoda
Reviewed by PatYoda from Colorado

4.04/5  rDev +8.3%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 5
Appearance is pretty weak. Nice golden color but hardly any head or lacing. The smell is nice. Sweet bready malts along with some alcohol and grassy/herbal hops. Taste is more of the same. The sweet malts and sweet herbal hops really blend together well, with just a little bit of bitterness to keep things in check. Mouthfeel could stand to be a bit crisper with carbonation, but maybe this bottle is old. Very drinkable and refreshing. I would definitely keep this around if it were local to me. Thanks for the bottle mentor!
Jul 11, 2005
Photo of CRJMellor
Reviewed by CRJMellor from Arkansas

3.48/5  rDev -6.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
Pours deep red and orange and a light white head with minimal sticky lace.
Aroma of light caramel malt and some grainy wheat bread. Just a hint of ethyl alcohol and some flowery hops.
Flavor is a solid mixture of toasted bread and malt with some sweet molasses or honey.
Mouthfeel has some sticky sweet malt and some mild bittering on the finish. Just a hint of toasted dryness on the finish.
Drinkability is pretty solid. Lighter side of style but pleasant tasting and thirst quenching.
Jul 09, 2005
Photo of woodychandler
Reviewed by woodychandler from Pennsylvania

3.95/5  rDev +5.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
Thanks to Mentor for sending me this one as part of the BIF16 jumpstart.

Thank goodness for BA! The bottle reads, "Maifest Lager", so I'm thinking lager with its attendant characteristics, but it's listed as a maibock on BA, so I go to Millstream BC's website and sure enough, maibock. No harm, no foul, but something to bear in mind.

It poured with a nice white head that almost immediately began to dissipate away to nothing. Still, there were lots of CO2 bubbles in evidence even after the head was gone, so that was a hopeful sign. The nose was quite malty with an underlying smell of alcohol. The color was a very clear deep amber. It had a semi-hot (tingly, but not burning) mouthfeel with the malt a big presence. The malt was also huge on the finish. I found it to be an entirely quaffable drink and had it with my lunch of a sub sammich. I'd be interested to know ABV, however.
Jul 06, 2005
Photo of HappyHourHero
Reviewed by HappyHourHero from Indiana

3.72/5  rDev -0.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
Earthy malt aroma with a pinch of cocoa. Medium sized foamy head held for a minute then faded to a film. Hazy light brown colored beer with an orange hue. Solid, malty flavor is barely sweet up front that mixes with some hop tea flavor. There is just a pinch of bitterness on the end of the soft, easy drinking beer. A tasty session beer that would be great on a cool afternoon. Thanks to BuckeyNation for the chance to try this one!
Jun 23, 2005
Photo of Higravity
Reviewed by Higravity from Michigan

4/5  rDev +7.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
A nice tight Mai-Lager. Good golden color and white head that sit on top of the beer leaving a light lacing. Nice lager sweet smell with a yeast background and gentle hops. Taste is very good strong malt flavor of caramel that mixes well with the alcohol flavor and finishes with a good noble hop presence. Perfect carbonation and infinitely drinkable.
Jun 03, 2005
Maifest from Millstream Brewing Company
Beer rating: 85 out of 100 with 35 ratings