Maibock (Smuttynose Brewing Co.)

What the hell is a maibock? Is it a bock released in May? It must be German, right? Well, I admit I wasn't all that knowledgeable when it comes to this style of beer. 

The label tells me that,"Maibocks are a traditional Teutonic seasonal specialty. We brew ours to be hugely malty & subtly finished with a variety of continental hops, with an eye-pleasing russet brown color. Prosit!"

I need just a little more information about this style, so thankfully this isn't 1986 and I can just do a little browsing on the interweb and voila!, I am an expert. Thanks Wikipedia!

Maibock

"The maibock style is a pale version of a traditional bock. It is a fairly recent development compared to other styles of bock beers, frequently associated with springtime and the month of May. Alcohol content ranges from 6.3% to 7.4% by volume. The flavor is typically less malty than a traditional bock, and may be drier, hoppier, and more bitter, but still with a relatively low hop flavor, with a mild spicy or peppery quality from the hops or alcohol content. It is a clear lager, deep gold to light amber in color, with a large, creamy, persistent white head, and moderate to moderately high carbonation. There is some dispute as to whether the Helles ("pale") bock and the Mai ("May") bocks are the same style, but they are generally agreed to be the same."

This Maibock* is the most recent release of the Smuttynose BIG BEER SERIES. They all rock, so I am sure to be impressed.

It pours a darker version of golden. The head is fluffy white and soon forms a ring with some little islands of white in the middle. It looks slightly cloudy which leads me to believe it to be rich and flavorful. 

Smells of sweet fruit, malty, brown sugar and some yeastiness. I definitely smell cooked apples. It also has a faint smell of alcohol, this is a BIG BEER and comes in at close to 8%. 

Taste is nice and juicy sweet followed by some spiciness and bitterness. Not sure if the bitterness is hops or alcohol. The label tells me that this is "*a robust seasonal lager".  That is no lie. Score another great beer for Smuttynose. This is a smooth drinking but full-flavored strong seasonal beer. I am so glad we can get the BIG BEERS here in Maine!

BEER FACTS

Name: Maibock 

Style: Maibock

Brewery: Smuttynose Brewing Company

Location: Portsmouth, New Hampshire, USA

Container: 22 oz. bottle

Malts: ?

Hops: ?

ABV: 7.7%

IBUs: ?

The Smuttynose BIG BEER Series is:

Baltic Porter - mid-January 
Imperial Stout - mid-February
Maibock - early April
Big A IPA - early May 
Farmhouse Ale - early June
Wheat Wine mid-August
Barley Wine - early October
S'muttonator Double Bock - mid-November