Bockenstein
Los Gatos Brewing Company

On tap at Los Gatos on 7/20/09.

A - Clear medium amber body with sparse carbonation and slim beige head that settled into a thin ring of retention. Excellent body clarity.

S - Caramel and toffee with honey sweetness, subtle perfumy hops and a hint of spice comprise the aroma of this Maibock. A slight waft of alcohol also emerges as it warmed up a bit.

T - Like the aroma, sweet caramel and toffee notes stand out, followed by a mild spicy, bready character in the middle. Finishes with honey and caramel sweetness paired with floral and perfumy hop bitterness and just a touch of alcohol.

M - Medium bodied with a syrupy texture and soft carbonation. Light alcohol warmth on the palate with moderate bitterness and some residual sweetness in the finish.

D - Again, another fine example of a Maibock. So far, Los Gatos brews very good straight-up styles, and this is no exception. Nicely done.

This maibock style brew poured cool into a pint glass was a clear/copper amber color with a decent off-white grey head and fair lacing. The aroma was malty sour cider and brown sugar coming together in a pretty apetizing way. The taste is brown bread and spicey yeast wine alcohol. I get tingly carbonation with a mid to light body, pretty drinkable though not a guzzler. I pick up some cinnamon and nutmeg, apple and wheat. Complex and refreshing. It's pretty smooth in feel and all in all not a bad brew with a little more spice than some maibocks, almost more of an autumn feel.