Hofbrau Maibock
Review Date 7/6/2000
Try?
Re-buy?
The label advertises this as "Münchens Ältestes Bockbier" (Munich's oldest
bock beer). That may be true, but it is not Germany's oldest bock beer.
Bocks most likely originated further north in Einbeck, Germany. It is
generally accepted that the name bock is a corruption of the "beck" portion
of Einbeck.
The Hofbräuhaus is further south in Munich, and in the early 1600s it managed to lure away one of Einbeck's renowned brewers, who brewed up Munich's first bock in 1614. Recently I found a bottle of this hard-to-find brew in a Connecticut liquor store, tonight I'm sipping one as I type.
Munchner Hofbrauhaus Mai-Bock comes in a brown half-liter bottle and pours to a golden-brown color. A large head of form is produced from a gentle pour, and the beer has a slightly sweet malty nose. The palate is malty and slightly toasty, rich and chewy with a caramel-nutty, fresh malty character and a slightly hoppy, warming alcohol finish. Bocks will have a higher alcohol kick to them; another theory has it that this is the origin of the name since bock is German for goat, and goats kick.
This is a spring seasonal beer and goes well with lamb for that occasion, but also pairs nicely with beef roast and other meats.
The Hofbräuhaus is further south in Munich, and in the early 1600s it managed to lure away one of Einbeck's renowned brewers, who brewed up Munich's first bock in 1614. Recently I found a bottle of this hard-to-find brew in a Connecticut liquor store, tonight I'm sipping one as I type.
Munchner Hofbrauhaus Mai-Bock comes in a brown half-liter bottle and pours to a golden-brown color. A large head of form is produced from a gentle pour, and the beer has a slightly sweet malty nose. The palate is malty and slightly toasty, rich and chewy with a caramel-nutty, fresh malty character and a slightly hoppy, warming alcohol finish. Bocks will have a higher alcohol kick to them; another theory has it that this is the origin of the name since bock is German for goat, and goats kick.
This is a spring seasonal beer and goes well with lamb for that occasion, but also pairs nicely with beef roast and other meats.
And remember, try a new beer today, and drink outside the box.
*Pricing data accurate at time of review or latest update. For reference only, based on actual price paid by reviewer.
(B)=Bottled
(D)=Draft
