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[expand]Total Score: 40/50
The toasty/roasty maltiness, the noticeable but clean alcohol and the low hop aroma and flavor are all very nice and appropriate to style. more >
[close]Total Score: 40/50
Aroma: Pils malt with noticeable toasty character is up-front but does not hide appreciable alcohol or the hint of spicy/floral hops. There’s no diacetyl or DMS. Very clean, with no fruity esters. Very inviting, like a big, rich toasty Helles or Dortmunder. (10/12)
Appearance: Fairly deep golden color with bright clarity; thin, with lingering head. Well carbonated. Very pretty beer. (3/3)
Flavor: Pils malt and toasty/roasted malt character up-front. High hop bitterness is a bit over the top. Very light spicy hop flavor. Noticeable alcohol but not hot. No fruity esters. No DMS. No diacetyl. Toastiness in malt, high hop bitterness, alcohol, and full attenuation lead to a very dry but balanced finish. (16/20)
Mouthfeel: Medium bodied, medium-high carbonation. Smooth without astringency. Alcohol warming without being hot. Bitterness lingers in the mouthfeel. (4/5)
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Overall Impression: The toasty/roasty maltiness, the noticeable but clean alcohol and the low hop aroma and flavor are all very nice and appropriate to style. The high hop bitterness and dryness remind me of an imperial Dortmunder rather than a Helles Bock which exhibits the malt character and is supported by hop bitterness. I would like to have had more malt in the finish, a slightly higher final gravity, and lower hop bitterness in order to not be quite as dry and to better represent the Maibock/Helles Bock style. (7/10) -
[expand]Total Score: 40/50
The malt character is quite pleasant, rich and complex, accented with the cinnamon spicy Noble hop flavor. Midway, the hop bitterness seems a little more than the 30 IBUs described for the high end of more >
[close]Total Score: 40/50
Aroma: Toasted bread with graham cracker melanoidin malt aroma, followed by cinnamon spicy hops and notes of lightly fruity alcohol; has a rose and pear quality. Otherwise clean fermentation. No DMS noted. (9/12)
Appearance: Brilliantly golden clear. A light layer of palest yellow foam rises, but does not fully come to a head; nor does it linger beyond a light layer on the surface of the glass. Rouses nicely, but does not persist. More bubbly than moussey. (2/3)
Flavor: Graham cracker bready melanoidin malt richness comes on strong, with moderate spicy hop flavor reminiscent of cinnamon providing complexity and balance. Malt is pleasantly sweet. Malt backbone gives way, taking a back seat to a fairly pronounced hop bitterness that accentuates a moderately dry, crisp finish. Light pear-like esters are present, lightly accentuating a background alcohol note that gets stronger as the sample warms a bit. Hop bitterness lingers at the finish. (17/20)
Mouthfeel: Medium bodied with moderate carbonation. Low alcohol warmth lingers with a light astringency. Somewhat dry finish. (4/5)
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Overall Impression: The malt character is quite pleasant, rich and complex, accented with the cinnamon spicy Noble hop flavor. Midway, the hop bitterness seems a little more than the 30 IBUs described for the high end of the style. This was quite enjoyable for a hophead like myself, though the beer seems to walk a tightrope over Pils and Helles Bock. I think it might take a glass or two, just to make up my mind which it fits better. (8/10) -
[expand]Total Score: 36/50
This is a good example of the Maibock style but the malt character misses the mark in terms of complexity and smoothness. more >
[close]Total Score: 36/50
Aroma: Bready malt up front with some underlying graininess and a low level of DMS. Malt is not as intense as many examples and would be enhanced with more complex toasted melanoidins. The fruity esters are a little elevated for a German lager and contribute pear and tropical fruit notes. I pick up some alcohol in the background but it is appropriately restrained. (9/12)
Appearance: Golden color with brilliant clarity. Carbonation level is appropriate, but head retention falls a little short of expectations. (2/3)
Flavor: The flavor begins with pleasant bready malt, with light toast and cracker notes underneath. The caramel character is a little intense, adding sweetness but not complexity. Fruity esters are low to moderate, with pear notes accented by the sweet malt. The finish dries out quickly and has a moderately high bitterness accented by mineral notes. A softer finish would bring the focus back on the malt. (15/20)
Mouthfeel: The beer has some desirable mouthfeel components that do not quite coalesce. The caramel malt adds sweetness and body, but hangs on the palate until it yields to the grainy astringency that lingers in the finish. (3/5)
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Overall Impression: This is a good example of the Maibock style but the malt character misses the mark in terms of complexity and smoothness. The continental malt character is not as intense as it could be in the aroma and flavor, and the graininess makes the finish a little harsh. It seems like caramel malts were used to boost the sweetness, but it might be worth looking at alternatives such as a more intensive decoction malt or a longer boil. (7/10) -
[expand]Total Score: 38/50
Seems a bit young—could benefit from more conditioning. The alcohol is a little too rough. The hop bitterness and flavor are a touch high, and tend to mask the malt. more >
[close]Total Score: 38/50
Aroma: Moderately intense mix of spicy hops and bready malt. Light hint of sulfur. Malt has a grainy-sweet Pils malt character. Some alcohol adds to the spiciness. Fairly clean, but the alcohol is a bit rough. The spiciness masks some of the malt aroma. Some toasty malt character emerges as it warms. (9/12)
Appearance: Beautiful deep golden color. Crystal clear. Tall, persistent off-white head. (3/3)
Flavor: Strong malt flavor initially, grainy and Pils-like. Moderate to moderately-high spicy hop flavor (alcohol is enhancing the spiciness). Moderately high bitterness, some coming from alcohol. Finish is dry and a bit sharp. Some of the grainy flavors come out more in the finish. Clean fermentation, smooth lager character, very fresh. As it warms, some toasty notes become evident, and the Pils malt gets a slight DMS flavor (at acceptable levels). Malty palate but not sweet; aftertaste is almost all hops and minerals. (15/20)
Mouthfeel: Medium-full body. Moderate carbonation. Alcohol heat is a bit rough, and merges with the grainy malt flavors and minerally gypsum-like water flavor to give a slightly astringent character. Creamy palate but dry, flinty finish. (3/5)
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Overall Impression: Seems a bit young—could benefit from more conditioning. The alcohol is a little too rough. The hop bitterness and flavor are a touch high, and tend to mask the malt. The water profile could be a bit softer; seems like it has a gypsum character, which makes the finish dry and minerally. A little more malt richness and complexity would help, although that may be there if the hops and water salts weren’t getting in the way. I like the flavors; this is clearly a well-crafted beer. (8/10)
