Every year, there are time tested signs that let us know Spring is here. Plants begin to grow and flower, while allergies begin to rage. The sun starts to set a little bit later each and every day and the NBA playoffs are in full swing. Most importantly breweries begin to brew Maibocks, a lighter colored bock strength lager usually debuting in May, that signify the arrival of Spring. A few weeks ago, Gordon Biersch released their Maibock at their tapping party. Firehouse Brewery in Sunnyvale has since followed suit.
Meaghan’s Maibock, Firehouse Brewery, 7.5% ABV
The Firehouse Maibock pours out a brilliantly clear deep gold/pale amber in color with an off-white head. The flavor is primarily malty with light toasted malt character and a hint of caramel. The hop flavor is low; hop bitterness is low/medium-low. The aroma echos the flavor. This is a medium-high bodied beer with medium/medium-high level of carbonation. Despite the 7.5% ABV, I don’t particularly notice the alcohol in either the aroma, flavor or mouthfeel.
I found the Meaghan’s Maibock to be a very good drinking beer. It is malty without being cloyingly sweet but has enough alcohol to keep you warm during our unseasonable cool early Spring nights. I complimented Firehouse brewmaster Steve Donohue on the clarity of his beer and he admitted that he filtered his beer. While filtering is unnecessary in the brewing process, it is probably the quickest way to get your beer bright if you didn’t want to lager it for an extended amount of time to allow the yeast and other sediment to settle naturally. Donohue also said that this may be his strongest Maibock to date. “The great thing about seaonal beers,” Donohue says, “is that they don’t have to be consistent because you only brew them once a year.”
The Maibock was recently tapped last Thursday so get some at its freshest. While there, also look for the other Firehouse seasonals: Cluster Fuggle (English Mild) and Brendan’s Irish Stout.
Related posts:
- Gordon Biersch Maibock Tapping Fairly short post. Gordon Biersch is tapping their Maibock on...
- Gordon Biersch Maibock Tapping 2010 This past Tuesday Gordon Biersch had one of their tapping...
- Gordon Biersch Maibock Tapping Recap I was supposed to have this post written last night....
- SF Beer Week Kick Off Event at Anchor Steam plus Beers in Review: Firehouse OTIS and Petrus Oud Bruin SF Beer Week officially started yesterday with a kick-off event...
- Beers in Review: Faultline Brewing Company American Craft Beer Week is slowly coming to a close....
