Always found it surprising this was classified as a Maibock when it's brewed with an Ale Yeast. Do you feel it comes across as a Maibock as compared to a classic example from Germany ?
This comes up pretty often, or at least it used to. They originally felt it was closer to a maibock than anything else. When they brewed their first batches that was probably true as there weren't a million different recognized styles back then. In those days a lot of autumn/fall ales were named Oktoberfests, too... Anyway, I don't necessarily think it tastes much like most German Maibocks. I guess it resembles HB's a little, but otherwise it's just a very, very rough approximation. That said, I do like it. It's like a malty amber ale to me.
I know they classify it as a Maibock, but I don't think it can really be considered one without lager yeast. I know a lot of breweries take this short cut though. Greenport Harbor Brewing Co. uses ale yeast with their Maibock.
To me personally it's just like an Amber/Red Ale. Not sure what a real traditional German maibock tastes like.
Strike that, reverse it. I spoke out of line Greenport does use lager yeast in their Maibock. This results in a longer process, but a true to style beer. I apologize to the brewers and the guys at Greenport.
If it looks like a Maibock, & tastes like a Maibock... Wouldn't a simple, clean ale yeast (like a Kolsch strain) producing something practically the same anyway?
I definitely thought it tasted like a German lager - almost as confused by that as I was by the $12 pricetag. But it sure was tasty.
