Church Brew Mad Brewer Maibock

Aroma: 3 | Appearance: 4 | Mouthfeel: 4 | Flavor: 5 | Overall: 5

On tap at the Works. Smell is a little beery typical, but not bready yeasty...just plain beery if that makes any sense. Color is a little lighter than reddish orange but certainly darker than a pale yellow american lager. Very little carbonation. A little bitterness like most hellers. The flavor is not out of place for a maibock. Has a slight bitterness on the back of the throat. Finish is non-offensive and happy. Good overall maibock, would not hesitate to purchase again. Better than Erie Fleece Maibock. Not as good as Victory St. Boisterous Hellerbock.

Aroma: 8 | Appearance: 7 | Mouthfeel: 6 | Flavor: 8 | Overall: 8

Copper color with a small off white head and some nice lacing. Earthy and malty aroma. Nice toasted malts, some caramel, lightly hopped. Could not taste the 7% here. Decent bock.

Aroma: 10 | Appearance: 8 | Mouthfeel: 10 | Flavor: 10 | Overall: 10

The Church Brew Works is one of my favorite places to go in Pittsburgh. I will be making an effort to review their wonderful beers, including their seasonal beers such as this Maibock. The pour from the bottle delivers a thick white foamy head that settles quickly and leaves a significant halo of bubbly lace. The coppery orange to amber hue is reminiscent of an Oktoberfest style lager. The aroma is light and citrusy, fresh and clean with a nice malt/yeast balance detected. A semi-bitter roasty malt/hop bite greets the palate with a nice peppery, spicy flavor (Corriander??..Cloves???...or just a well balanced hop infusion???). The aftertaste leaves a nice yeasty tang in the end. This beer received kudos in All About Beer Magazine a while ago from beer guru, Michael Jackson. I thought I would do the same. If you are ever in Pittsburgh in the spring time, go to the Church, pray to the sacred vat and beer Gods, and order this. You won't be disappointed.