Spring Beers Maibock Gayot

Spring is in the Beer
'Tis the Season for Maibock
by Christina Perozzi

Usually, when someone mentions the word “Maibock,” people think of a luxury car. However, what we’re talking about is a little known (at least in the United States) seasonal beer style released in the early months of spring. Germans, Bavarians in particular, love a good seasonal ale. While most people have heard of Winter and Christmas beers, or maybe even a Summer beer or two, many may not have come across the Maibock, a traditional seasonal spring brew.

Traditionally, spring beers in Germany are strong, very dark lagers called “Bock” beers or “Bockbier.” The origins of the name are debatable. According to the most popular theory, the name refers to the German word for “billy goat,” or Bock. Traditionally, this beer was brewed during the winter months under the astrological sign of Capricorn (December 22 through January 19.) Capricorn’s symbol is the goat. Mai means the month of May in German. Put the two together, and you get the delight that is Maibock.

Maibocks are beers that tend to be lighter in color and have more assertive hop aromatics and bitterness than other Bock beers. They are usually released in April or May and have traditionally accompanied May festivals. Maibocks also have a noticeable maltiness and viscosity, because even though Maibocks are lighter in color, the good ones still retain the higher alcohol content of the original Bock beers. Maibocks are very similar to another strong lager style called Hellesbock, which basically means “pale” or “blond” bocks.

Maibocks are not the easiest beers to find here in the States. Even if you can locate the true German versions, they are usually flash pasteurized (which reduces beer flavor), and are often not available at the full alcohol strength they boast in Germany. Because of these factors, try a local craft Maibock brewed using traditional methods, great ingredients and not requiring pasteurization for shipping.

That being said, here are five favorite Maibocks and Maibock-style beers brewed in the United States. Lift a glass and rejoice in the coming of spring and the wonderful Maibocks that accompany the season!

U.S. Maibock Beers

Heller Hound

Heller Hound Maibock
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Flying Dog Brewery - Denver, CO
5.9% ABV

Heller Hound Maibock was packaged on March 7 and will be hitting shelves in late March. The crisp and malty “Helles Bock,” brewed with a combination of Vienna and Munich malts, is Flying Dog Brewery’s seasonal spring lager. With a rich mouthfeel and a subtle hop finish, Heller Hound Maibock makes the perfect brew for “toasting the sun's return.” The dog is available from late March to mid June.

Abita Bock
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Abita Brewing Company - Covington, LA
6.13% ABV

Abita Brewing Company’s first seasonal brew, Abita Bock is available January through March. Abita uses mild and aromatic Perle hops and British pale and caramel malts to achieve its mild and toasty flavor. Even though the Abita people call this beer a simple Bock, it resembles a German Maibock in its high malt content, full body and slightly higher alcohol content. This beer is very popular in Louisiana, especially during Mardi Gras season.

Dead Guy Ale

Dead Guy Ale
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Rogue Ales - Newport, OR
6.5% ABV

Brewed year-round, Dead Guy Ale was originally created to celebrate the Day of the Dead (November 1, also known as All Souls Day). Even though this beer was brewed to be an ale instead of a lager and celebrates a day in the fall, Rogue calls the Dead Guy Ale a Maibock; and it does imitate the German-style lager perfectly. Made with Rogue's proprietary "PacMan" ale yeast, Dead Guy is copper honey in color with a malty aroma, rich hearty flavor, a well-balanced finish.

Stoudts Blonde Double Maibock
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Stoudts Brewing Co. - Adamstown, PA
7% ABV

Full-bodied and deep golden-blonde, Stoudts’ version of the Maibock shows off Pennsylvania’s proud brewing tradition. Available only March through May and brewed with the finest two-row malt and a subtle amount of noble hops, this Maibock includes a generous amount of honey for added flavor and sweetness.

Stoudts Mai Bock

Sierra Nevada Pale Bock

Sierra Nevada Pale Bock
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Sierra Nevada Brewing Company - Chico, CA
6.5% ABV

Sierra Nevada Brewing Company was at the forefront of the microbrew revolution. With their Pale Bock, they produce another stellar beer. Bready and rich, this assertive “Heller Bock” has nice toasty and grassy notes. The hops bring about a bit of citrus rind in the end. A great session beer.

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Christina Perozzi writes Beer 4 Chx. Her mission is to dispel women's stereotypes about beer and to introduce beer to the modern woman's dining experience.

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(Updated: 03/12/07 SLY)