Beer of the Weekend #363: Saphir Hopped Maibock
I nabbed another bottle from the New Pi bargain bin today: Saphir Hopped Maibock, brewed by the Madhouse Brewing Company of Newton, Iowa.
This is apparently maibock for hopheads; it is brewed with German Saphir hops, which, according to the Madhouse press release, are relatively new and known for “bright citrus and tangerine-like flavors.”
Serving type: 650 ml bottle. No freshness date.
Appearance: Poured into a pilsner glass. The color is pale gold and is on the hazy side. Two fingers of thick, buttery, eggshell-colored head dissipated to leave a foamy lacing and ring around the edge.
Smell: My first impression, from the compressed air released when I popped the cap was: this is maibock for hopheads — or least with hopheads in mind. The tangerine from the hops really stands out and is very enticing. However, it has a farmhouse mustiness/yeastiness reminiscent of saison, which is a turn-off for me. Underneath it, though, are some common helles characteristics: grassy hops and that barnyard hay smell. It is way down underneath, though.
Taste: It is an odd little thing. It tastes a lot like saison, though the tangerine citrus throws a wrench in everything. Lots of sour farmhouse (which I suppose is fitting for an Iowa brew), but the Saphir keeps it interesting with a hoppy dryness and tangerine citrus. The malts are in the background offering hints of caramel, hay, and honey; they act like an accent wall.
Drinkability: Like I said, it is an odd little thing. Maibock it is not — at least in the traditional sense. It is, though, an adventurous offering from Madhouse.
Fun facts about SHM:
-Style: Maibock.
-Price: $3.99/bottle (for sale) at the New Pioneer Food Co-op on Van Buren Street in Iowa City.
-Serving temperature: 45-50ºF.
-Alcohol content: 6 percent ABV.
-Food pairings: For the style, BA recommends Italian and German cuisine; nutty cheeses; fish, shellfish, and salmon.
The Quiet Man’s grade: C+/B-.
This is apparently maibock for hopheads; it is brewed with German Saphir hops, which, according to the Madhouse press release, are relatively new and known for “bright citrus and tangerine-like flavors.”
Serving type: 650 ml bottle. No freshness date.
Appearance: Poured into a pilsner glass. The color is pale gold and is on the hazy side. Two fingers of thick, buttery, eggshell-colored head dissipated to leave a foamy lacing and ring around the edge.
Smell: My first impression, from the compressed air released when I popped the cap was: this is maibock for hopheads — or least with hopheads in mind. The tangerine from the hops really stands out and is very enticing. However, it has a farmhouse mustiness/yeastiness reminiscent of saison, which is a turn-off for me. Underneath it, though, are some common helles characteristics: grassy hops and that barnyard hay smell. It is way down underneath, though.
Taste: It is an odd little thing. It tastes a lot like saison, though the tangerine citrus throws a wrench in everything. Lots of sour farmhouse (which I suppose is fitting for an Iowa brew), but the Saphir keeps it interesting with a hoppy dryness and tangerine citrus. The malts are in the background offering hints of caramel, hay, and honey; they act like an accent wall.
Drinkability: Like I said, it is an odd little thing. Maibock it is not — at least in the traditional sense. It is, though, an adventurous offering from Madhouse.
Fun facts about SHM:
-Style: Maibock.
-Price: $3.99/bottle (for sale) at the New Pioneer Food Co-op on Van Buren Street in Iowa City.
-Serving temperature: 45-50ºF.
-Alcohol content: 6 percent ABV.
-Food pairings: For the style, BA recommends Italian and German cuisine; nutty cheeses; fish, shellfish, and salmon.
The Quiet Man’s grade: C+/B-.
