Beer of the Weekend #227: Einbecker Mai-Ur-Bock

For those who were wondering, Jane Eyre is not a horror movie. (Don’t ask where I got that notion.) It is, however, very powerful and happens to be playing at the Sycamore 12.

The beer of the weekend is my first Maibock: Einbecker Mai-Ur-Bock, brewed by the Einbecker Brauhaus AG of Einbeck, Germany.


Serving type: Six 11.2-ounce (330 ml) bottles. No freshness date on the bottle.

Appearance: Poured into a pilsner glass. The color is a clean and clear copper, which is a touch light. One finger of slightly tanned head developed and dissipated quickly to leave a bubbly lacing and ring around the edge.

Smell: Very aromatic and floral. Exhibits the classic, sweet barnyard scent of helles and is complimented by sweet caramel and honey. It’s very candy-like, and I think I may even smell a little butterscotch.

Taste: The flavor elements mostly mirror those in the smell, but the taste is much hoppier and bitter than I expected. Caramel and honey upfront, then the helles/floral/haymow, and in the end there is a nice bitter bite, which lingers on the cheeks and tongue. Also noticeable is the hint of butterscotch from the smell and a tad bit of alcohol.

Drinkability: Though it was pretty winter-like for April today (it felt more like November), Mai-Ur-Bock cheered me up and gave me a much needed taste of spring. Great stuff.

Fun facts about EM-U-B:

-Style: Maibock/Helles Bock. Here is the BA description:

The Maibock style of beer tends to be lighter in color than other Bock beers and often has a significant hop character with a noticeable alcohol around the same as a traditional Bock. Maibocks are customarily served in the spring and are oftentimes interrelated with spring festivals and celebrations more often in the month of May.

-Price: $12.99/sixer at John’s Grocery in Iowa City.

-Serving temperature: 45-50ºF.

-Alcohol content: 6.5 percent ABV.

-Food pairings: BA recommends Italian cuisine, German cuisine, nutty cheeses (Asiago, Colby, Parmesan), fish, shellfish, and salmon.

-You know you’re drinking authentic German beer when all the text on the carrier is in German:


Prost!


The Quiet Man’s grade: A-.

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