Millstream Maifest - Millstream Brewing Company

mhewes

Colorado

2.73/5  rDev -27%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 2

A : Pours a copper color with a small white head.

S : Very weak smell. Can barely make out some malt and orange aromas

T : There's a caramel malt flavor and not much else. Maybe a tiny hint of bitterness on the finish

M : Crisp but thin and watery

D : It was easy to drink but there wasn't much to it flavorwise. Not one I'd go back for.

Serving type: bottle

08-11-2008 23:17:03 | More by mhewes

uturn

Florida

3.75/5  rDev +0.3%

01-16-2013 04:08:17 | More by uturn

PirateUlf73

Illinois

3.78/5  rDev +1.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Bottle had a nice label with a picture depicting two young maidens dancing 'round a maypole (of all things). Poured into a cylindrical Spaten glass.

A: Light amber in color and clear. Head went down slightly but never completely dissipated.

S: Sweet malts and yeast on the nose for the most part. Slight breadiness as well as a smidgen of hops, but not much.

T: Again, sweet, bready malt, yeast and a smattering of hops. Slight fruitiness and ester notes as well. I must confess that I'm not intimately familiar with this style, but the flavor DOES seem appropriate for a springtime beer.

M: Good carbonation, light to medium body.

D: Silky smooth and balanced nicely, leaning toward the malt, but containing enough of a hop presence to clean things up.

As I said, I've not much experience with Maibocks, but left to its own devices this was a very solid beer. Interesting that it comes from Iowa. I'd like to try some more of this style. I would definitely recommend this one to anyone trying to branch out and try new styles.

P.S. - I noticed that the label in the picture on the website and the one on my bottle are completely different. I wonder if mine was a limited release(?). I picked this up as part of a mix-a-six pack and there were only two bottles of this kind left. Guess I'll have to do some more research...

Serving type: bottle

01-07-2009 08:07:26 | More by PirateUlf73

tayner

Arizona

3.18/5  rDev -15%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 4

12 oz stubby bottle, says maifest lager on the bottle, notched march, courtesy of BuckeyeNation

Poured a copper color with a frothy white and small head, light lacing.

light smell of spices, pepper and almost like rosemary.. strange.

taste was of slight sweetness from caramel malt, but really tasted quite watery and thin. There was only slightly hopped finish, barely noticable at the end.

Mouthfeel was light and watery, thin and not all that carbonated.

This is a mild tasting, lightly carbonated lager you could throw back a sixer of and think nothing of it, literally and figuratively. I would not choose to drink this one, but i could see why people would suck it down in the hot summer at a bbq.

Serving type: bottle

06-03-2008 03:41:53 | More by tayner

deltatauhobbit

Maine

3.1/5  rDev -17.1%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Thanks to pepsican for this LIF return extra (say that three times fast)

Pours a golden/honey color with a small head that fades fast and leaves no lacing.

Smell is rather weak, I can barely make out any aroma, slight malty sweetness and orange but I had to strain my nose to find it.

Taste is crisp, decent slickness of the mouth, much drier than I expected though, caramel and malt the most present with a slight citrus/bitterness to balance it.

Serving type: bottle

05-29-2008 21:53:46 | More by deltatauhobbit

orangemoustache

Illinois

4.1/5  rDev +9.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

This pours a slightly hazy burnt orannge with a creamy looking head that leaves very little lace as it recedes.The nose is all banana bread as far as I'm concerned,it smells great.This thing is malty and sweet with a nice hint of almond in the aftertaste.A medium body and tame carbonation makes this super drinkable stuff somthing that could be enjoyed any time of the year!Damn fine Lager.

Serving type: bottle

05-16-2008 04:28:38 | More by orangemoustache

pmcadamis

Illinois

4.33/5  rDev +15.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

A - A nice finger of tan/orange head rises above a cloudy deep brown/orange brew. The beer looks dirty and gritty....that's a goog thing with me! The head disappears after a few minutes, but it leaves a lot of really pretty lace on the glass.

S - Super malty! Biscuits and sweet molasses with some orange-rind-flecked chocolate candy too. Lots of toffee and maple syrup along with some really fruity hops.

T - Pancakes drizzled in maple syrup with a big glass of fresh orange juice. This is a malt bomb for sure, but the fruity flavors keep it interesting and lively. Big hops come out with warmth. This is nicely balanced.

M - Medium bodied with mellow carbonation and a very firm and solid mouthfeel. Alcohol is slightly apparent, but that only adds to the tight and firm feeling.

D - Interesting and highly drinkable stuff! I'm quite impressed with Millstream's lagers!

Serving type: bottle

11-08-2007 01:03:17 | More by pmcadamis

BigBry

Alberta (Canada)

3.73/5  rDev -0.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

One final bottle left from the parents trip to the Amana Brewery. 12 oz. stubby brown bottle, bottling date notch along the right side of label.
Color is quite orange, slightly hazy an off white head, not a lot of retention, shrinking to a thin cap and even thinner lacing. Smells like toasted grain, and some slightly fruity or flowery hops. Flavor of grain, bready and caramel malts. Sharp hops finish, but no lingering bitterness. Good carbonation, smooth taste, dry finish. Another good tasting, easy to drink beer, in a unique style.

Serving type: bottle

11-03-2007 01:42:59 | More by BigBry

jhammerly

Nebraska

3.4/5  rDev -9.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Being that I can't handle too much Bock beer, this was a pleasant surprise for me. I just don't care too much for the sweetness that most Bocks offer. This one may be a bit weak for most lovers of this style, but for me, it is very drinkable.

It pours a light copper with a decent head. A hint of caramel that isn't overwhelming touches the nose. The taste and mouthfeel are light to medium. This is a good beer for the Spring time.

Serving type: bottle

07-22-2006 22:58:35 | More by jhammerly

MABZ

Nebraska

4.13/5  rDev +10.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

This is a pretty solid Maibock from my local brewers. Probably my favorite from Millstream so far. The beer pours to a nice golden amber with a nice carbonation and a decent fluffy white head. Lacing is decent.

The smell is somewhat lacking, however. A feint little bit of sweet with some caramel malty notes, but only when huffing the glass like a shoe polish addict.

The taste is good. Sweet with a very slightly roasted caramel malt flavor. Fairly crisp. Fairly clean for a Millstream beer as well. Very soft palatable flavors. This is an easy spring drinker.

Serving type: bottle

05-12-2006 07:13:05 | More by MABZ

hero27

Iowa

3.58/5  rDev -4.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

12 oz bottle.

I almost added this as a new beer...the label is different from the picture.. a painting of two women, and it says it's a "Maifest Lager". However, from reading a few of the reviews, it sounds like the same beer.

Light bronze color with a thin white head of froth. The aroma is toasted malts and some hints of caramel. Light malt sweetness, honey, and some orange peel round out the flavor. Surprisingly refreshing. I may have a few more of these throughout the summer.

Serving type: bottle

05-01-2006 03:04:05 | More by hero27

maxpower

Missouri

3.5/5  rDev -6.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

12 oz bottle pours a clear bright amber-copper color with a nice foamy lasting off white head that leaves some lacing in my glass. Has a sweet fruity apple aroma. Sweet, malty caramel, honey and apple flavors, medium body with a slick and smooth mouthfeel, finishes sweet.

Serving type: bottle

04-28-2006 22:47:21 | More by maxpower

Beertracker

Oklahoma

3.4/5  rDev -9.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Millstream Brewing Company's self-titled Maifest was on tap during my last visited. The Maifest poured up creamy & smooth into a red logo house pounder (pint) glass. The Maifest had a gorgeous deep golden-orangish amber color with a dense, rocky top that faded all to quickly. The clarity suffered some from the cold serving temps as well. The aroma had a nice toasted cracker/soda bread nose with just a touch of honey & spicy Noble hops. The flavor starts off rather toasty with some definite Munich derived malt character, but the bitterness just never seems to catch-up causing the finish to be syrupy (caramel) & sweet with just a touch of yeastiness. There's some rich creaminess in this medium-full bodied lager, but IMO it could use a touch more alcohol, bitterness & carbonation to livin' things up a bit. I found Millstream's Maifest to not be as generous as a traditional German-style Maibock, but still well worth the visit. This one would pair nicely with honey braised short ribs and a golden baked sweet potato smothered in cinnamon butter, marshmallow cream & raisins.

CHEERS! Beertracker

Serving type: on-tap

09-15-2005 19:48:28 | More by Beertracker

PatYoda

Colorado

4.05/5  rDev +8.3%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 5

Appearance is pretty weak. Nice golden color but hardly any head or lacing. The smell is nice. Sweet bready malts along with some alcohol and grassy/herbal hops. Taste is more of the same. The sweet malts and sweet herbal hops really blend together well, with just a little bit of bitterness to keep things in check. Mouthfeel could stand to be a bit crisper with carbonation, but maybe this bottle is old. Very drinkable and refreshing. I would definitely keep this around if it were local to me. Thanks for the bottle mentor!

Serving type: bottle

07-11-2005 00:34:03 | More by PatYoda

CRJMellor

Arkansas

3.48/5  rDev -7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Pours deep red and orange and a light white head with minimal sticky lace.
Aroma of light caramel malt and some grainy wheat bread. Just a hint of ethyl alcohol and some flowery hops.
Flavor is a solid mixture of toasted bread and malt with some sweet molasses or honey.
Mouthfeel has some sticky sweet malt and some mild bittering on the finish. Just a hint of toasted dryness on the finish.
Drinkability is pretty solid. Lighter side of style but pleasant tasting and thirst quenching.

Serving type: bottle

07-09-2005 02:10:58 | More by CRJMellor

woodychandler

Pennsylvania

3.95/5  rDev +5.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Thanks to Mentor for sending me this one as part of the BIF16 jumpstart.

Thank goodness for BA! The bottle reads, "Maifest Lager", so I'm thinking lager with its attendant characteristics, but it's listed as a maibock on BA, so I go to Millstream BC's website and sure enough, maibock. No harm, no foul, but something to bear in mind.

It poured with a nice white head that almost immediately began to dissipate away to nothing. Still, there were lots of CO2 bubbles in evidence even after the head was gone, so that was a hopeful sign. The nose was quite malty with an underlying smell of alcohol. The color was a very clear deep amber. It had a semi-hot (tingly, but not burning) mouthfeel with the malt a big presence. The malt was also huge on the finish. I found it to be an entirely quaffable drink and had it with my lunch of a sub sammich. I'd be interested to know ABV, however.

Serving type: bottle

07-06-2005 19:42:33 | More by woodychandler

HappyHourHero

Indiana

3.7/5  rDev -1.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Earthy malt aroma with a pinch of cocoa. Medium sized foamy head held for a minute then faded to a film. Hazy light brown colored beer with an orange hue. Solid, malty flavor is barely sweet up front that mixes with some hop tea flavor. There is just a pinch of bitterness on the end of the soft, easy drinking beer. A tasty session beer that would be great on a cool afternoon. Thanks to BuckeyNation for the chance to try this one!

Serving type: bottle

06-23-2005 17:10:50 | More by HappyHourHero

Higravity

Michigan

4/5  rDev +7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A nice tight Mai-Lager. Good golden color and white head that sit on top of the beer leaving a light lacing. Nice lager sweet smell with a yeast background and gentle hops. Taste is very good strong malt flavor of caramel that mixes well with the alcohol flavor and finishes with a good noble hop presence. Perfect carbonation and infinitely drinkable.

Serving type: bottle

06-03-2005 15:30:14 | More by Higravity

mynie

Indiana

4.2/5  rDev +12.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

In a tall pilsner glass this looks like a very nice Maibock--dark amber on top, lighter amber at the bottom. Very nice, retentive head and good lacing.

Smells of deep, malty fruits. Lots and lots of malt, very sweet.

Bready tasting right up front, moving quickly into a buttery malt. Not the icky kind of diactyl buttery--good caramel buttery. Ends with a bitter node of malt. Complex and wonderful, a hint of alcohol all throughout.

This is a grand and highly quaffable beer.

Serving type: bottle

05-18-2005 02:41:29 | More by mynie

mentor

Colorado

3.95/5  rDev +5.6%
look: 5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Freshness notch was May, purchased from John’s Grocery (Iowa City) and consumed that same evening). ½ finger white head over a crystal clear light amber liquid. Goodness they must have started filtering their beers at Millstream. Yup, no sediment in the bottle. Smells Munich malty. Thought I got some Tettnanger hops while pouring the bottle, but now all I get is Saaz. Tastes gritty sweet malty. Perhaps it’s Tettnanger hops after all, because I get a rough earthy hop bitter. A nice set of flavors interact. Caramel sweet, some rough earthiness, carbonation on the tongue with a floral aromatic rising in the aftertaste. Perhaps a bit too much carbonation for my taste, as the acrid rises up my throat burning my tongue progressively as it rises. Well balanced and highly drinkable. If Millstream has started filtering all their beers, I may need to re-review their selections. The flavors may well have changed. Md to md-light body, but thick in some way such that it feels like some of the beer is clinging to parts of my cheeks. Nice lacing on the inside of the glass.

Serving type: bottle

04-29-2005 01:34:50 | More by mentor

RBorsato

Virginia

4/5  rDev +7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Dark gold to copper color with a decent beige head. Spicy (Munich malt) malt aroma and flavor. Nicely balanced but maybe more like an Oktoberfest due to the Munich malt. Light-medium bodied.

A very nice Spring seasonal from Millstream that I would gladly drink again but not really true to style in my book.

Per MBCo website: 50% Munich malt.

Serving type: bottle

09-20-2004 20:20:23 | More by RBorsato

Jason

Massachusetts

3.9/5  rDev +4.3%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Presentation: 12 oz brown twist off bottle with bottling date on the label.

Appearance: The head has similarities to the froth on a latte and sticks to the glass quite well. Deep reddish orange with a slight haze, lots of tiny bubble struggle to the top.

Smell: Thick stodgy malt aroma, not overly sweet yet you could nearly cut it with a knife. Faint aromas of alcohol (blueberry skin) and herbal hop are noticeable as well.

Taste & Mouth Feel: Maltiness plays from a hulking bread flavor to some raw honey to toasted biscuit. Hops are mild and balance well, quick shade of alcohol in the back. Finishes semi-dry with a long lingering toasted malt character.

Drinkability & Notes: This is one of the few styles I really admire yet so few breweries even attempt it. This one get the thumbs up in my book.

Serving type: bottle

08-29-2004 22:21:06 | More by Jason

sweethome

Illinois

3.55/5  rDev -5.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Pours copper with a bright white head. Rather rich malty nose.
A medium mouthfeel, sweet malts prevail. Carmel malt flabors. Slight hop on finish, less hoppy than the classics of this style.
A little watery in the midmouth and finish. Lacks complexity and depth, but a very drinkable and pleasurable beer - just fails to live up to what I want in this style. Maibock is near the top of my favorite styles so I admit I am quite demanding on rating them. This one is drinkable and...just OK.

Serving type: bottle

08-27-2004 03:48:28 | More by sweethome

Morris729

Texas

3.93/5  rDev +5.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Pours a hazy burnt amber color with about two-fingers worth of a white head. Nose is sweet caramel malts with a bit of floral perfume in the background. Moderate in body with a rather soft and smooth texture. Taste picks up right where the aroma left off with sweet malts and buttery caramel followed by a lightly roasted nuttiness and drying hops. Definitely worth a try. Thanks to bditty187 for the sample!

Serving type: bottle

08-22-2004 23:40:34 | More by Morris729

Dogbrick

Ohio

3.73/5  rDev -0.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Thanks to BuckeyeNation for the trade. This beer pours a bright amber/orange color with a thin light beige head that dissipated over the course of a couple minutes. Thin lacing. The aroma is vaguely malty with some bread as well. Medium-bodied and a very clean and crisp mouthfeel. Light malt, caramel and hops flavors. Not abundantly flavorful overall but it is very drinkable. The finish is lightly sweet malt with a touch of spice and hops. All in all a pleasing beer to drink despite (because of?) the simple approach.

Serving type: bottle

08-11-2004 17:27:50 | More by Dogbrick