I just can't get into Maibocks

What did you "hate" about it? Might give those of us offering suggestions a better idea of what to recommend.

 

The summit is very similar to the HB. Can you tell us why you didn't like it?

How do you feel about Oktoberfest-Märzen?

 

Not necessarily -- see Weizenbocks that are top-fermented, but I'd never call that an "ale."

 

Sounds like you got a bad/old bottle(s). I wouldn't recommend reviewing -- or judging -- a beer (much less an entire "style") on such bases. If you just find Maibocks/bocks "boring," then maybe the style just isn't for you.

 

Yeah, based on that I'd say the heavier Maibocks and Oktoberfests aren't for you. Oh well, more for me.

 

I might have said that too, but he definitely picks out the sweet and toasted malts that aren't very appealing to his palate. He should probably stick to more pale Maibocks, don't you think?

 

Owned by ABInbev. Are they introuble, or is ABInbev deciding to import other German brands they own?

 

Or pack them up and brew them in St. Louis?

 

Seasonal release as opposed to year-round distribution?

 

so when I release a Pils as a summer seasonal and call it Sommerpils, it becomes a seperate style?

 

It's just another (absurd) consequence of making beer a competition.

How about these from the BJCP: Franconian and Munich Kellerbier as distinct "styles"?

"Entry Instructions: The entrant must specify whether the entry is a Munich Kellerbier (pale, based on Helles) or a Franconian Kellerbier (amber, based on Märzen). The entrant can specify another type of Kellerbier based on other base styles such as Pils, Bock, Schwarzbier, but should supply a style description for judges."

 

My understanding is that maibock and helles/heller bock are used interchangeably, so I guess it's technically a proper style.

 

what the Hell, whoever thought this was a good idea does not understand franconian and bavarian beer culture at all-very sad.
.

 

The saddest part to me is that literally 1000s of brewers here will take at least some part of this as trustworthy -- and even brew commercial beers based on these criteria. Hell, they'll probably even win awards based on hitting all the "right" notes and then use those to market their beers are exemplars of the "style." This type of thing has already been going on for years in the U.S. and it drives me crazy....

 

No, have to name it with a month: Julipils. Nice ring to it, don'cha think? (Sierra Nevada's Summer release is a Pilsner they've labeled Summeriest -- falls in line, no? )

 

And then a fresh barrel of traditional Kellerbier from franconia is entered in the competition-and looses because it is not "true to style":.......
wow. Somehow I am glad not to live in the USA beerwhise, but seeing how the craft community is developing in germany these days, i am kind of afraid of the future.

 

As a young sprout I found most bocks distasteful, as they were too sweet for my tastes. But eventually I came around to them and lately I've been drinking lots of Troegs Cultivator, Berkshire Maibock, and two by Pretty Things: Bocky Bier and Lovely St Winefride, which are both darker bocks (though the latter calls itself a strong dark lager or something like that).

Still, if you never develop a taste for them the world will continue spinning on its axis and all will be well.