Sprecher Mai Bock

Brewed by Sprecher Brewing Company
Style: Heller Bock
Glendale, Wisconsin USA

Serve in Lager glass, Shaker, Stein

I think Sprecher’s Bavarian Black is exceptional, but I’m frequently disappointed by other beers of theirs that I try, and unfortunately this is one of those disappointments. This beer has a great appearance, but a metallic aroma and flavor that mars an otherwise pleasing sweat caramel maltiness. Appearance of this beer is quite good; it is a sparkling and clear copper color with good head formation and retention. Aroma is distinctly coppery, more metallic than it is malty. And flavor is the same - I get maltiness up front, but I get a distingly disturbing copper taste at the finish that lingers in my mouth a long, long while. Not so good. Mouthfeel is OK, but I can’t say I recommend this beer.

Pours a mostly-clear, deep copper body with slow carbonation beneath a thick, off-white head. Mild vegetal notes burn off to reveal a thick, sweet graininess in the aroma. Additional notes of grapes and trail mix interspersed with wafts of alcohol. Plenty of fruit in the flavor as I find pineapple and apricot alongside bready malts before alcohol jumps in to thin the flavors and dry the mouth. I rather liked it, but it wasn’t my favorite Maibock this spring.

<font size=-4>4 pack from <a href=http://www.ratebeer.com/Places/ShowPlace.asp? Liquors, Oak Lawn, IL 60453</font>

16 oz. bottle. Appetizing, malty, fruity, floral, barley-wine-esque aroma of golden raisins and red wine. Cranberry and cherry scents as well. Pours a remarkably bubbly, sparkling copper with a moderate amout of yellow-tinted cream-colored head. Fruit and dunkel-lager-like flavors dominate. Tastes like a stronger and darker beer than it is. Lemon, light chocolate, and fortified wine tastes. Alcohol noticeable but by no means overpowering. Bitter hoppy aftertaste that contrasts satisfyingly with the malt-dominated flavors. Medium body. Smooth and oily in the palate. Sprecher Mai Bock is a surprisingly good beer across the board and nearly the equal of its much more highly regarded sibling, Sprecher Black Bavarian. Underrated and well worth trying.

Light malts, candy sugar, pretty sweet. Light bodied, a bit bubbly, ends with a tang of bittering hops. The hops I’m getting at the end taste fresh. This beer is good. Sprecher usually doesn’t dissapoint, this is no exception.

Bottle from the brewery. A fresh batch no less. Pours a medium pale amber with a white head of small bubbles that quickly dissolves. Aroma is very sweet. Hints of custard, oranges and candy sugar. Taste of sweet toffee and bitter spiced hops. Finish is a bit tingly but very palatable. Maibock? No, it’s my bock!

Good looking, a clear orange body with a creamy white head. The aroma is sweet and worty with wild flowers and freshly clipped grasses. The hops fade in the flavor, it having mainly sweet malts, toasted white bread, and a twist of lemon. Drinkable, but not one of Sprecher’s best.

Please note the picture on the beer’s page. The RateBeer logo imposed on the bottle gives this site the anal retentive look one would expect from another beer rating site.

<font size=-4><a href=http://www.ratebeer.com/Places/ShowPlace.asp? Wine and Spirits, Whitefish Bay, WI<font size=-1>

The aroma is flowery as advertised, along with plenty of malt and what seems to be cola. The appearance is nice with it’s near permanent three finger head. The flavor is watery and much like the aroma. There is a discernible amount of malt and hops but it just doesn’t come across as special or interesting. The palate is OK but the aftertaste is metallic. I would have to say this beer is just OK also.

On tap at the Happy Gnome. Golden orange color. Lager characteristics are generally swallowed up in pale malts and light citrusy hops. Some woody flavor. Easy as you could possibly ask for.