Maibock
Northbound Brewpub

a predictably good maibock, this is precisely the kind of thing i expect these guys to do well, and they deliver. no frills, no deviations, this is true to style, a little strong and a little sweet, but not too much of either, and its smooth, well lagered, and very nicely executed overall. rusty light orange color with pretty good clarity and just a short and compact white head that fades out pretty quickly, rather light in appearance. aroma of toasted grain, munich type malt and a honey note as well, trace almond or even amaretto makes it unique, grassy hops way back, likely noble from what i can gather here, but this isnt a super hoppy example, at least in the nose. biscuit, light wood, and some classic german dustiness, familiar lager yeast does its thing. nutty and toasted and even kilned character to the grain in the flavor, sweet through the first half with an almost graham cracker thing, then drier later with more from the yeast and now more bitterness than i could smell earlier, not a ton of hop flavor, but there is a little bite, nice and crisp really for the style. faint alcohol comes in as it warms, angular medium body, prickly carbonation giving it life, solid to very solid example of the style from a brewery who should get more love than they do...

At the brew house, served in a tall flared glass, very very slightly hazed honey, no head. Nose is bready and honey malts, maybe just a kiss of floral hops but not much. Taste follows the nose…kind of sticky sweet without becoming cloying or losing the bready malt. Very enjoyable…a nice beer for a nice spring day. Fairly substantial and slightly heavy body…but doesn’t detract from quality for me.