Hofbrau Maibock

Photo Credit: D.J. Yannessa

The Brewers:
Company: Staatliches Hofbrauhaus
Location: Hofbrau-Festzelt, Innere Weiner Str. 19, D-81667 Munich, Germany
Website: http://www.hb-festzelt.de/en.html

The Beer:
Style: Maibock
ABV: 7.20%
Served: On draft at Mountain Brauhaus of Gardiner (http://www.mountainbrauhaus.com/)

The Drink:
Drank out of a 22oz. tall German beer mug

Beer poured clear, coppery-brown with a white, one-finger head that dissipated quickly, leaving some lace.

Aromas of heavy German malt and some subtle fruitiness.  Some subtle hop comes through, mostly spicey and fruity. 

Beer starts with a good buzz and an upfront malt, with a strong hop bitter.  Body is moderate and smooth, with good mouthfeel.  Bitterness fades as malty sweet character builds with a smooth, fruity and floury finish.  

Overall:
This is a very simple beer, but the flavors are full and complex.  Beers like this are made with a good deal of German caramel malts and traditional German Noble hops and with a good focus on the flavors of the basic ingredients.  Because of the Reinheitsgebot, Germans don't go crazy with funky additions to their beers.  Basically, this is a stronger version of a traditional Oktoberfest beer; malty, hoppy and smooth but with almost double the ABV.  Not overwhelming in body and flavor, and very drinkable considering its ~7% ABV, it's hard to go wrong with this beer, especially considering the warm turn the weather has taken.