Ron’s Steam Bock Haircut
Carton Brewing Company

 

 

 

A decidedly American twist on a classic German style, and not necessarily for the better. It lacks that rich, sweet caramel malt bill, which is subsumed by the very plan lager yeast & the hops. The hops particularly feel very out-of-place for the style, and while they aren't IPA bitter by any stretch of the imagination, it certainly muddies the taste profile. It ends up more like one of these "IPLs" you see more of these days, not atrocious on its own but certainly a failure for the style.

Finally got around to this today after trading out for this on the Other Half line a few releases ago. I love Carton's offerings and this was no exception to that as this beer was solid, tasty, and true to form from start to finish. Maibocks are not easy to find but it was great to have something like this that was so good and brewed so close to home!

Good pour to this as the beer had a nice mahogany hue to it that was slightly hazy with a full, tan head and lots of body to it. Lots of caramel in the nose with even more in the taste, to accompany the grassy and herbal hops. Creamy, slightly sticky, and relatively full, the green apple sourness gave way to a very malty base that was reminiscent of dough. The finish was pretty crisp as the earl grey-like spice lingered long after each sip went down, complementing the flavors and body quite nicely.

While not overly carbonated, there was enough here to keep this from feeling too sticky, heavy, or sour. A true Maibock that finished clean because of the Cal Lager yeast, giving this a feel similar to Anchor Steam. Nice and solid with a subtle haze that quietly glowed in every aspect that was perfect fitting for spring, even though the calendar how now turned; and just as enjoyable as anything else from Carton that I've been fortunate enough to get my hands on!

Before writing this review, I have to add a small caveat. I'm not a fan of Maibocks; in fact, I bought this beer thinking that it was a regular bock beer. I'm just not partial to the high malt and hop concentrations in the style of beer (I usually like one or the other, not both; hence my distaste for black IPAs). Here goes:

A: Alright. Cloudy brown. Pours a very large tan head that leaves adequate lacing, however. The color isn't exactly appealing, though.

S: Very hoppy. Almost like an IPA. Can smell herbs, flowers, lemon, and grapefruit. Not what I was expecting; hardly any malt.

T: Some caramel and honey, but the hops make the brew somewhat unappetizing. Too much grapefruit and pine in the flavor.

F: Not carbonated enough. Just alright.

O: An OK beer. Would not have again, however.

 

 

 

 

 

16oz tallboy can, sample from the brewery.

Mildly hazed pale tawny hue, good showing of suds on top. Spicy, minty, herbal hops in the nose with a bready tone within. Ample hop bitterness, very smooth with a semi-creamy medium body. Kiss of alcohol is floral. Grassy tone throughout. Pretty clean. A little piney and minty in the finish from the hop. Love the twist on the classic Maibock style.

 

 

A pint can dated 4/28/16 poured in a nonic pint glass.

Look- Pours a reddish gold color leaving a generous finger of white foam.

Smell- Caramel, mild perfume and a hint of banana.

Taste- Caramel malt forward followed by some green apple, biscuit and a hint of pepper/spice in the finish. Perhaps the hops providing the spice?

Feel- Rather thick and chewy like a liquid bagel!

Overall- A style I don't drink much of, but I found this rather fulfilling. A hearty dose of malt with a touch of hop spice to provide a dash of flavor. A nice change of pace from the in your face beers that are dominating the market.