I just can't get into Maibocks

You had it this year? I was a little disappointed -- and I've been a huge fan for years.

Also, the O.P. is in S. Dakota -- Capital getting out that way these days (I honestly do not know)?

 

I don't know if Capital does, but I'd guess Schell's might and he should pick up their Maifest to see if that tickles his maibock fancy.

 

Huh. He has had it...* finding it better than the HB, but still not his cuppa. Verdict: The man's a hop-head, malt-forward lagers aren't his thing. Yet, anyway -- anyone can evolve.

*Hmm?

Glad he's not judging my Maibock home-brew!

 

Well shoot, I must've missed that review while looking through his other ones.

Agreed!

 

Maybe you just need a bigger mailbox... wait - what? Oh... maibocks!

I was wondering why you were trying to get into your mailbox

 

I just had this and thought it was just a terrific beer. Yes maybe "Americanized" a bit but just a fragrant wonderful intrpretation of the style.

 

I had a new one the other day, Sudwerks Maibock. I didn't like the first bottle. It was very malt forward and tasted like it even had a hint of rye. Although malty, it was not sweet like the maibocks from Germany that I used to drink years ago.

 

I can't believe no one has mentioned Einbecker Mai-Ur-Bock, which is supposedly the original Maibock. It's definitely my favorite, and no one can argue it isn't true to the style since it's the original.

 

I really like the style. More so than other bock styles. The decreased strength and increased hops versus a doppel really increase drinkability for me.

Unfortunately hard to find. Troegs Cultivator is great, more of a helles bock than a maibock. I chase down fresh Hofbrau which is good as well.

Big second on the Trader Joes rec. Their maibock, made by Gordon Biersch, is very good and super affordable.

 

einbecker is a bang-on maibock,but bock beers,like all others used to taste much differently before copper brewkettles and temperature-controlled stainless steel fermentation tanks.

 

Berkshire Brewing Company doesn't distribute down to South Dakota - which doesn't matter since the OP doesn't like maibocks anyway , but their copper-colored maibock is really tasty. Rich, sweet, and slightly bitter.

 

Badum-ching!!!

 

I too dislike most maibocks I've tried. Not all styles need to appeal to all people.

 

What, specifically, do you dislike about them?

 

While it might be that I've just tried poor/local versions my memory of them is usually a muted/watered down taste or almost a belgian style/flavor that usually leads me to dislike some European beer. That taste is an earthy almost grainy unfiltered mouthfeel.

 

I love their pils, but I found their doppelbock not to my liking. However, this was years ago, and my palate is more attuned to doppelbocks now.

Never had their Maibock, going to have to give it a whirl if I see it. Would this be the best example of the style? I had always thought Hofbrau's was, but from what I've been reading in this thread, it appears to be a bit of an outlier.

 

I like Atwater's Maibock, it is the only one that I can easily buy in Michigan. It is sweet and malty, very tasty.

 

That was probably the 'Traditional' Bock, of which there are not many, and I really enjoy it- malty richness with a dryish finish. They also have a stronger Winter Bock, but I don't remember a Doppelbock.

The Mai-UrBock is great, and really seems to define the pale version, with a rich Pilsner malt quality and gentle noble hoppiness.

The problem with all of these beers is two-fold: freshness and the dreaded green bottles. If you come across some that aren't obviously old and dusty it would definitely be worth a shot.

 

http://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/66/46999/

It was this one, their Winter Bock, which is listed on here at least as a Doppelbock.

I'm fairly sure both were fresh, they had just hit my local, and the pils tasted great (I think I had them around the same time.....can't remember exactly).

 

OK. That might be worth another shot, too, then. It's toastier and drier than something like Spaten Optimator, but still has a touch of heftiness. If you are expecting a huge doppelbock it might disappoint, but I like this approach myself.