IV
DuClaw Brewing Co.

Tasted at the Alchemy Release Party at the Arundel Mills Location on 5/19/05.

A bit darker than your normal Maibock, kind of orange-ish with no head. Bready but overly sweet malt aroma and flavor. No hops noticeable. Medium-full bodied with an off flavored sweet finish.

Fairly drinkable but was not enticed to have another despite it's limited release status...

From the DuClaw Website:
SPECIAL BATCH IV - May 4th ONLY (2005)

Duclaw brought this limited release with them to the Spring Brewer's Fest, where I was able to try it. The beer has a clear light copper color with almost no head at all and no lacing. Smell was very bready, with some caramel, honey, and hops detectable. Taste like it smelled, very sweet and bready malts upfront decently balanced with a solid hops finish. The sweetness is stronger though, and by the end its all I was tasting. Can't taste the alcohol at all. This is a full-bodied beer with a good level of carbonation for a refreshing feel. This was great to drink on the hot sunny day that I had it, and if it was available, I would certainly try it again.

This is a limited special release maibock that was tapped back on May 4th. (Looks like they have several of these special releases coming up. Hopefully, they are as tasty as this one....) Not sure that they will make any more or for how long it will be available.

Pours a light, clear orange with little bubbled carbonation ringing the pint. After asking for a head for the second round, I noticed a nice off-white head. Average retention and very little lacing.

Complex, but faint aromas were evident in the warmed brew. Bready malts were intertwined with hearty hops
Tastes just like the aroma, with very earthy, hearty hops balanced extremely well with sugary/bready malts. A very good representation of the style. The 7% ABV is ninja like, sneaking up on your head in the dark and making you babble whilst watching the O's on the big screen.

Strong medium bodied, with just the right amount of carbonation. The flavor stays throughout and doesn't give up after the initial rush.

Finishes sweet. Very highly drinkable in the nice warm weather we've been up to lately.

Overall: I hope they drop some of the stinkers on the list (I'm talking to you Kangaroo Love and Bare Ass Blonde!!) and add a tasty bock if they are going to be this good. In fact, why not make it a rauchbier and ask Theo DeGroen for the recipe...