Bocks available in Minnesota (2021)

I found the Schell's Bock to be excellent.

Online Tasting: Bocks (April 23-25, 2021), post 131

 

I drank-through almost five cases* this year, (a new record!), and while it was (mostly) as good as ever, @morimech and @ZAP are correct; There was at least one batch or canning run that had an issue (foaming-over after opening, slightly sour, off-profile flavor).

Schell used (and perhaps still does) a tunnel pasteurizer for their bottles, and I recall that they purchased a new tunnel pasteurizer for their new-ish can packaging line, ten or so years back.

On a guess it could be that a batch missed the pasteurization step.

*I also enjoyed it from a kegger my college buddies and I had in lieu of Bockfest being cancelled this year. Excellent on draught, as always.

 

The extended twin cities metro is drowning in Maibock beer. I reviewed some of them but not all of them that I drank in the last 3 weeks. Had Northbound last night it's a solid beer.
Arbeiter is ok, it's old school/different. A few I haven't tried are Venn and Hop & Barrel (Hudson).
I had 3 others that weren't so good in my mouth they get no review and remain UN-named.
I haven't made it up to Duluth/Superior yet to get Earth Rider High Bridge Helles & Prince Haakon Honey Bock plus any others in the area.
https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/50612/409849/

 

Lake Monster Brewing

• Smooth Sailing – A pilot batch imperial Maibock, “It has a robust pilsner-malt sweetness and a smooth-sailing clean finish,” Lake Monster says.

Lakeville Brewing Company

• Maibock – Maibock is brewed to welcome the coming of spring, and what a welcome spring this is! This light copper-colored German lager has a pleasant floral hop and malty-sweet aroma, followed by a full-bodied malt-forward flavor, and a crisp dry finish that begs for another gulp. 5.8% ABV.

 

You could try the Lake Monster and get a J & J Covid Vaccine and a Free pint. https://minnesota.cbslocal.com/2021/05/07/free-beer-for-covid-vaccine-brewery-works-to-incentivize-more-people-to-get-shots/?taid=6097341a73c9f600018b236a&utm_campaign=trueAnthem:+Trending+Content&utm_medium=trueAnthem&utm_source=twitter

 

It looks like Lake Monster Smooth Sailing Imperial maibock is all drank up, Removed from the website, it was listed this morning. It was a pilot batch.
It appears that I'm drinking the last of it now.
I stopped by there earlier today, had a pour and bought a crowler for home. 8.8% ABV
It's a solid beer. the ABV is well hidden but you can till it's High ABV anyhow.
Tastes best rather warm. Slight sweet, hint of honey and floral/earthy hops.
does come across like a high grade malt liquor.

 

Tempted to go to Birch's On The Lake and try their Maibock but hate driving that far for one beer. Nothing else on their beer menu interests me but I did enjoy their Galaxy IPA 5 years ago, but Galaxy hops suck now. Recent Untappd checkins suggests it has been replaced by Strata IPA which interests me even less. For a brewery that I use to drive 35 minutes one way to go twice a month and leave with a couple of growler fills, now has become once a year visit.

 

I was out that way a few weeks back, so I tried to order the maibock and a couple of other beers for pickup, but I couldn't get their online order system to work. I sent them an email asking for help. They replied, but it was basically blowing me off; they didn't even offer to take my order. I figured they must not need the business.

 

Probably not worth driving to Birch's for the maibock. it's a ok beer.
How come nobody ever mentions Forgotten Star in Fridley? I was only there once thought the place was ok.

 

I'm drinking a crowler of Waldmann bock right now and it's tasting good. But I had a crowler of there Maibock a few weeks ago and I thought it off just ok at best. in 2019 it was a good one, 2020 was not so good.

I still haven't depleted my bock stash. But most of the crowlers are drank up. I am enjoying
Sprecher Maibock in this warmer weather with it's nice floral hops

 

I’d say Forgotten Star is pretty solid if a bit inconsistent. Their bocks were alright but nothing to rave about. Last time I was there I did enjoy their barrel aged dark lager quite a bit and the marshmallow stout

 

You lost me at marshmallow stout.

 

I believe it is gone now, but I'd recommend the bock from Foremost in Owatonna. It will be back next winter.