Maibock Online Tasting - April 8th

Yes, Pale Bock is a Maibock. We've been brewing this for years (15 maybe?) and releasing it in-and-around Chico as a locals-only favorite. Occasionally we'll get some in Mills River, but for the most part, it's a once-a-year release in Chico only under the "Old Chico" line of beers we do for the hometown crowd.

 

As you say, it's a little on the bitter and hop spicy side, but the hop character isn't out of range for style; i.e the hop character is very German and not crazy overdone -- and the malt character is very nice.

 

That used to be a Northern CA (and I believe Southern Oregon?) only offering. I know I got my hands on some a year or two ago though in Southern CA, along with another Old Chico brand beer, so I believe it may have seen some extra distribution. I wouldn't count on finding any though. Thanks Lingenbrau, real helpful .

EDIT: Still is, apparently.

 

I'd love to help, but as you've heard already... Chico only release . I guess I could get off my lazy ass and make the 20 hour round trip drive!

 

Really. Be a team player. California isn't that big.

 

I can drive to Chico (Texas)... You don't think Sierra Nevada would be opposed to distributing beers to other Chico's do you?

 

Is this the same recipe as the original Pale Bock that was distributed nationwide way back when?

I miss that beer. Hint. HINT.

 

I feel some deviation is good because some beers don't fall under one category and for example I posted a Ballantine burton ale in the barleywine tasting because the characteristics are so similar and the burton doesn't fit one style, a strong ale as broad as that is can fit both burton and barleywines. Similar to bocks, a bock is simply a unit of strength meaning some other beers could be extremely similar and it's interesting to see that. If I didn't save my einbecker I couldn't take part because maibock in my 3 square mile town is rare. Others may feel the same. The allowance of some deviation adds posters.

 

I don't know that I agree with this, other than the possibility of a Heller Doppelbock -- but even that will be bigger and bolder than a Maibock.

Festbier can slip into the category to some extent, I suppose, but the malt characters are usually lighter and the finish drier than most Maibocks.

Maibock should be malty sweet to a point, chewy and luscious in mouthfeel, and have just the right balance of spicy hops to keep it from being cloying. Dark Bocks (both traditional and Doppel) have the added character of higher kilned malts and more melanoidin flavors, and Hellerbock (more inline with traditional Bock -- I believe Einbecker has one) has lighter body than Maibock, though it could be a close match with lower ABV.

To your point, I'd be interested to see what beers may be similar to Maibock, because I'd quickly seek them out, and some of the others would be interesting counterpoints to discuss.

 

Pollyanna in Lemont is releasing their Maibock, Nose over Tail, this Saturday, April 1, as part of their spring block party.

Berries and Bros Block Party
Saturday, April 1, 12:00pm-5:00pm
Pollyanna Brewing Company, 431 Talcott Ave, Lemont, IL 60439
https://pollyannabrewing.com/pages/events
I'll have a taste and leave a mini review for anyone interested in getting a local Maibock in Chicago's western burbs.

 

An interesting side note to this, looking at Einbecker's web site, I see that they consider their Maibock a seasonal, and their Ur-Bock Hell a year-round beer. Both clock in at 6.5 ABV and they're very noncommittal in their description of each beer (for comparison sake).

If anyone was going to bring a non-Maibock to the table for discussion, that Einbecker Ur-Bock Hell would make an interesting discussion.

 

This looks like a cool joint -- too bad I'm way up nort' here, the Maibock sounds like a winner.

 

The recipe has sort of evolved over time. We quit doing Pale Bock for a few years when Glissade was on the market as a Spring seasonal. Side note, we learned a lot from making Glissade, specifically about coaxing more pleasant yeast character out of stronger pale lagers...since the demise of Glissade, we re-introduced Pale Bock with the yeast knowledge gained from Glissade and now Pale Bock is decidedly better than it ever was before.

 

Bring Glissade back, bring Glissade back!

 

But only available in Chico.

 

Still have not found anything.

Cheers!

 

No Prost near you?