Maibock

What is Maibock?

Maibock is a brighter, hoppier version of bock, named after the month of May. It is often brewed for spring festivals. Due to its light colour, it is also known as heller or helles bock.

Maibock is less malty but drier and hoppier than traditional bock. The flavour may have a faintly spicy, peppery note.  

Typically, maibock is brewed using a pilsner malt base enriched with ample amounts of Vienna malt, Munich malt, and/or other lightly caramelized malts.

Origin Story

Various legends circulate about the origin of maibock. The most famous maibock origin story dates to 17th century Germany. According to the legend, German royal families had become dissatisfied with existing German beers and yearned for something stronger.

Thus, a brewery called Hofbräu brewed a beer inspired by Einbeck beer but with its own small nuances. The result was a beer they called maibock, traditionally brewed at the end of April to be ready for spring celebrations in May.

Today, maibock is more of a niche beer produced and consumed primarily in Germany, but some craft brewers in the USA also brew this style.