Hofbräu Maibock (Urbock)
Hofbräuhaus München

11.2oz bottle purchased from the fridge as part of a 6-pack for $12.49. There is some kind of code on the bottom of the back label. It says L 354V. I wonder if this means that it was bottled in December 2022? If so, this would be four months old. I cannot understand why I Maibock would be released in December.

Look: Pours a very pretty perfectly clear reddish amber color with an impressive one-finger of beige-colored head. Nice head retention also. Another interesting observation is that the beer is now bottled in a brown glass bottle instead of a green glass bottle as the picture on BA indicates.

Smell: The aromas are similar to what I get with an Oktoberfest Marzen - very malty, bready, perhaps a more-pronounced hop presence with some floral and overall very earthy, slightly grassy and cirtusy hops. The nose is making me salivate so let's dive in.

Taste: This is very nice. The flavors on the palate mimic the nose pretty closely. Up front, there are nice malty notes of dark bread, and then you get a very crisp finish with spicy, citrusy hops. The finish is moderately bitter and it lingers long. Very earthy, nutty, and peppery finish. The 7.2% ABV is very well-hidden. After the hoppy finish fades, this almost reminds me of a nut brown ale because the malts are so nutty and there are interesting underlying chocolate and coffee notes that eventually come through on the palate.

Feel: Nicely carbonated. It's medium bodied, perhaps medium plus. It has a bit of a "chew" to it, which is nice.

Overall: This is a very decent and enjoyable beer. It would be a good food beer. My only knock on it would be that it's a bit simple, but hey sometimes simple is good especially if it's well-made. I will have to try a Rogue Dead Guy again; it's been way too many years since I have had one. If an Oktoberfest Marzen beer is a Philly pretzel, then this beer is a pumpernickel or marble rye pretzel.

From the label: In 1614 the famous "Maibock" was brewed for the first time. Brewing Maibock in Bavaria was a privilege of the Duke of Bavaria till 1818. Munich citizens enjoy this amber coloured, delicious beverage especially in springtime.

 

 

From a 330 ml bottle from the Munchen plant.
A slightly opaque Amber, head settles into a collar and leaves little lacing.
A little fruity on the nose, hints of cherry.
Roasted, caramel amber malt and fruity cherry, woody flavor that carries over from the aroma, mild pepper notes as well.
The 7.2% ABV is enjoyable, just enough to warm you a little, but not dominant or obnoxious. Light-medium bodied mouthfeel, nicely carbonated.
Pleasant bitterness that finishes nicely.

Dark Amber SRM about 14

Smells of noble hops... Likely halertau maybe s a a z

Caramel toast sweet side

Overall heavier than most my box I've had...
It pushes the envelope...
But if it's been around from 1614 and is the original... I would say they've lightened up on the other recipes and this is the one...

It's heavy like a marzen a little more bitter

Delicious well done

A new tradition!

High FG full body

Poured from a 12 oz bottle into a snifter.

Medium amber color with a healthy dose of orange, but still bright and crystal clear. Decent head is off-white and consists mostly of some fluffy swirls and a ring of foam around the glass. Fresh, inviting aroma of sweet bread, caramel and spicy, gently floral hops. Flavors are similar, with plenty of bready malt notes, light raisin and caramel, but also spicy and grassy hops notes that brighten the impression. Light to medium body with moderate, spritzy carbonation. Light to medium hops bitterness and low alcohol warmth. This is a very enjoyable beer. It is light and dangerously drinkable while containing many of the characteristics of the much heavier doppelbock style that I love so much.

It pours amber with an off white. It has very good head retention. It is quite malty with bready flavors. It has some light spice as well.

 

Somewhat dark, golden amber color with an off-white head. Aroma is toasted brown bread and some caramel. Taste is toasted bread and caramel with a slightly citrusy hop finish. Body is medium light and slightly creamy. Very well done.

 

Crystalline deep amber, good lacing. Rich malt aroma. Taste is equally robust with a strong caramel background. Semisweet but nicely balanced and easy to drink. This tastes more like a doppelbock to me, but since it is so smooth and satisfying, I feel bad quibbling over style designations.

Clear amber, dense couple fingers of off-white head, great retention, thin rings of lace. A little dark for the style.
Toasted bread crusts, a bit of caramel, spicey/floral hops
More caramel than I like in the style, toasted bread, spicy hops
A bit heavy and sticky for the style, could use a touch more carbonation, but nothing offensive
It's a good beer, but more of a beer that bridges a bock and doppelbock than a maibock.

11.5 oz bottle poured into a goblet glass. Look is clear light amber with some burnt orange notes. A white head pours about 1 finger then falls off to a thin whispy cover. Smell is bready malt, some candied fruit. Aroma is a bit muted. Taste follows nose with a nice malty sweet bread start. Some candied fruit kicks in in the middle. Finish is sweet and malty with a bready, doughy aftertaste. Feel is medium bodied, moderate carbonation, a bit drying finish. Overall, flavorful beer with big malty emphasis. Alcohol is hidden pretty well making this very drinkable. A nice spring treat.

Dark copper color with an off-white head. Flavor is dark breads, dried plum and a nice dry hop bite at the end. Nice carbonation and easily drinkable for the ABV.

bottle into glass
Healthy amount of ivory colored head. Medium orange with a tint of amber & auburn, makes up the appearance. Rich, slightly sweet, caramel tinged, medium toasted barley malt and a touch of browned butter, makes up the aroma. Full throated, butterscotch tinged, medium toasted caramel malt with a slight woody bite, makes up the taste.

 

 

 

Six-pack (01/21/2026) picked-up at the Bolton Hill Food center:

RB transfer