Buyer's Guide for Beer Lovers

Continental Ales

Beer From Saints, for Sinners

Maibock

Maibocks are medium- to full-bodied lagers whose alcohol content can vary widely, though is typically between 5-6 percent ABV. The color of pale bocks can vary from light bronze to deep amber and they are characterized by a sweet malty palate and subtle hop character. As its name would suggest, this is a bock style that traditionally makes a spring appearance as a celebration of a new brewing season. In a Germanic brewer’s portfolio, it is should conventionally have a less assertive character than other bock offerings later in the year.

Interpreting the 100-point Scale

Consumers can translate the point score to the following quality bands:

Point Range Quality Band
96-100 points Platinum
90-95 points Gold
85-90 points Silver
80-84 points Bronze
Less than 80 Not Recommended
Legend
  • = Brewpub
  • ABV = Alcohol by volume
  • Date denotes the date on which the beer was tasted

96 Hofbräu Maibock, Hofbräuhaus München (Germany). 7.2% ABV (6/11)
Bright light copper color with a foamy head. Rich toast and gentle apple, citrus and nut butter aromas with a rich, frothy medium-to-full body and a long, sumptuously balanced finish. A superb maibock; rich yet easy drinking and delicious.

95 Primator Maibock, Pivovar Nachod (Czech Republic). 7.5% ABV (11/09)
Golden amber color. Aromas of honeycomb and toasted raisin and baguette bread follow through on a round, supple entry to a fruity-yet-dry medium body with sweet citrus marmalade and spice notes. Finishes in a long, chewy dried fruit and bold earthy, hay-like fade with great astringency. Excellent style and vigor.

92 LTD 02, Full Sail Brewing Co. (OR). 6.4% ABV (5/10)
Bright amber color. Aromas of toasted buttermilk biscuit, honey and roasted white corn follow through on a supple, finely carbonated entry to a dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body with excellent depth and subtle dried fruit notes. Finishes with a long, honeyed citrus and grassy hop fade with a touch of pepper. Rich and refreshing.

91 Maibock, Capital Brewery (WI). 6.2% ABV (5/10)
Brilliant amber color. Caramel on raisin toast aromas follow through on a chewy entry to a dryish medium-to-full body with great depth, effervescence and vibrancy. Finishes with more dried stone and citrus fruit nuance and gentle earthy hops. A very nice domestic maibock with a fine balance of malt.

91 Rumspringa, Lancaster Brewing Co. (PA). 6.9% ABV (5/11)
Slightly hazy amber color. Bright honeyed dried fruit and pound cake aromas with a supple, dryish medium body and a green pear, rhubarb and golden beet-accented finish.

90 Dead Guy Ale, Rogue Ales (OR). 6.5% ABV (6/11)
New copper penny color. Rich peach and orange marmalades and baguette aromas with a supple, dryish medium-to-full body and a tangy, caramel, melon and grassy hop finish. Very tasty.

89 Mai Bock, Sprecher Brewing Co. (WI). 6% ABV (5/10)
Amber color. Honeyed buttered raisin toast, cracker and praline aromas follow through on a frothy entry to a dryish medium body with very good depth and a rock-solid roasted grain character. Finishes with a cleansing wave of citrusy and earthy hops in fine balance with the malt. Very nice.

89 Coney Island Human Blockhead Lager, Shmaltz Brewing Co. (NY). 10% ABV (5/10)
Deep copper mahogany color. Dense praline, honeyed raisin toast and candied citrus peel aromas follow through on a rich entry to a dryish medium-full body with great intensity and chewy depth. Finishes with a long, crème brûlée, bold kumquat and piney hop flourish. An intensely hoppy West Coast take on the style that is sure to please hopheads, but may be too much for maibock purists seeking extended “sessionability.”

88 Point Einbock, Stevens Point Brewery (WI). 6.2% ABV (4/11)
Copper color. Baked lemon and rye cracker aromas with a round, frothy dryish medium body and a crisp, orange marmalade and peppery hop finish.

81 Spring Bock, Vintage Brewing Co. (WI). 6.9% ABV (5/11)
Bright light amber color. Slightly musty praline, honey Greek yogurt and sourdough raisin bread toast aromas with a dry medium body and a peppery arugula, mustard seed, cabbage and celery root slaw-like finish.

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