Holsten Maibock - Hanseatische Getränke-Industrie (HGI) Holsten-Brauerei AG

Brianhophead

Alberta (Canada)

3.15/5  rDev +13.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

A- Holsten Maibock is a deeply honey colored lager with minimal carbonation. I mean, there's hardly a bubble to be seen rising through the glass. Head is fluffy and white as s now. Retention is really good, with the head hardly seeming to go anywhere.

S- Maibock's aroma is lager-ish but in a good way. More Stella than Bud. Starts off with malty aromas of caramel. Aromas are very clean and straightforward. Caramel moves into a slightly rounded center. Center gives me some very subtle aromas of fruit with just a hint of sulfur. Finish is only slightly hoppy with some faint notes of grass and hay.

T- On the palate, Holsten Maibock is fairly straightforward. Starts off somewhat sweet, moving directly into a rounded center with flavors fo butterscotch and a little bit of sulfur. Finish is dry and only slightly bitter.

Maibock's really not a bad tasting beer. The problem is, it's also not that great. Flavors are a little too straightforward and linear for my tastes. And I get the impression that brewers decided to simply play it safe with their formulation of this beer.

Serving type: bottle

02-15-2012 19:12:36 | More by Brianhophead

Phyl21ca

Quebec (Canada)

2.4/5  rDev -13.7%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

Can: Poured a golden color beer with below average head. Aroma is quite weak for a bock and only faint malt can be detected. Taste is very disappointing, kind of like a foul lager. Body is bit thin with some alcohol burn. Total lack of complexity in this beer.

Serving type: bottle

04-22-2005 13:19:18 | More by Phyl21ca

proc

Michigan

4.1/5  rDev +47.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours out to a bright, golden, lager-like color in the glass with a slight head. Aroma is that or caramel and bread dough. The taste is excellent and in my opinion, very underrated here. There is a malt sweetness that isn't cloying, yet balanced on the swallow. I would drink this again without hesitation. A bit high ABV for a session beer, but I think I could handle the session... ;-)

Serving type: bottle

03-22-2005 02:26:22 | More by proc

redmosquito

Michigan

3.28/5  rDev +18%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

It's so rare that you come accross a maibock on the shelf, let alone in January. This one poured a golden yellow color with a thin head that left some lacing. Nice yeasty bock aroma with some good malt and little or no hops. The flavor is good, bitter then breadlike maltiness, and then an odd finish, dry and corn bread like. Overall, this is a nice surprise, even if it doesn't pack the maltiness of other maibocks that I've tried.

Serving type: bottle

01-06-2005 17:29:09 | More by redmosquito

stoutman

Michigan

3.25/5  rDev +16.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Strong malt in the nose that almost drowns out any hop. Sweet malt and a chewy finish dominated by the toffee like sweet malt. Gold pour with a white head and a steady stream of carbonation. This is a quite thin and boring Maibock. Rather sweet and bland.

Serving type: bottle

07-05-2004 01:00:44 | More by stoutman

PiratePete

New Brunswick (Canada)

2.25/5  rDev -19.1%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 2

Not the best of Holsten. This is just a bland, nothing special, high alcohol, beer. It pours out a very light amber with no head to speak of. Nose is of some hops, alcohol, and something I didn't quite get nor was I interested enough to do so. Not much of an inviting taste - sweet malt (can malt be sweet?). The other Holstens are better.

Serving type: bottle

10-10-2003 01:06:08 | More by PiratePete

Popsinc

Ontario (Canada)

2.8/5  rDev +0.7%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

Clear golden/orange pour. The head fades fast. Not much is detectable in the nose, maybe some malt and hints of caramel. Malty on the way down with an odd sweetness, again, maybe caramel (?) but not distinct. Also seems very grainy with an obvious alcohol finish. Not a great beer as far as Maibocks go.

Serving type: bottle

06-04-2003 11:05:44 | More by Popsinc

Shiloh

Ontario (Canada)

2.5/5  rDev -10.1%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

Medium golden hue with very limited head and minor glass ring. The body is thinner than anticipated, medium/light at best. The nose is crisp and of apples.
The high ABV is very evident in the taste of this brew which is highly malted and sweet. Nothing to get excited about here, think I will introduce this brew to my sink and avoid tomorrow's headache.

Serving type: bottle

04-04-2003 18:47:18 | More by Shiloh

smcolw

Massachusetts

3.33/5  rDev +19.8%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

Short-lived, diminutive head that settles to rim bubbles. Absolutely no lace whatsoever. The color is dirty gold. Clear.

Smells earthy and sour. No deep malt aromas that I have come to expect from this style of beer.

Starts off neutral, mostly pale malt. There's a creaminess to the flavor. The swallow sours a bit and the aftertaste is brief. I note a brief spice of hop just after the swallow. The body is proper; the carbonation tilts toward the higher side.

Serving type: can

08-23-2012 23:10:54 | More by smcolw

peensteen

Ontario (Canada)

3.08/5  rDev +10.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Now, I have had this on many occasions but every time I have consumed this right out of the can and usually on the subway on the way somewhere. I bought this with the same intentions but the subway was full so instead I will review this.

Pale blonde/orange colour, one finger of white head with some retention and no lace to speak of. Smell is malty and bready, sweet candy like notes, some fruits come across as well, light hint of corn and some alcohol. Taste is malty and fairly sweet, some green apple flavours as well, light alcohol heat, some grassy notes come off as well, lightly bitter, malty-sweet finish. Light carb, med-full body, decent weight. This is a fairly average beer and in all respects isn't very good however, there is something I really enjoy about this beer and I will still buy this as my staple "one for the road" beer.

Serving type: can

01-31-2012 18:31:58 | More by peensteen

korguy123

Ontario (Canada)

2.45/5  rDev -11.9%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 2.5

A- Darker than normal straw yellow pour. Zero head just little wisps. Lacing is zilch.

S- Corn, grass and cereal. There is a strange medicinal aroma along with this I can't put my finger on.

T- I get a slight alcohol taste up front with corn, sugar and grains.

M- Light bodied, minimal carbonation.

O- I'm not appalled by this beer, it is just a hefty adjunct lager in my opinion and not worthy of my glass lol...

Serving type: can

01-08-2012 20:49:05 | More by korguy123

Stocean1

Ontario (Canada)

2.58/5  rDev -7.2%
look: 2 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

A - Golden honey colored body - I aggressively poured a one finger white head that was gone by the time i turned around from disposing of the can. No lacing and pretty clear.

S - cereal and corn bursting out, not great but not bad and about what I expected - some floral hops as well.

T - well here we go....syrupy corn, earthy hops coming through, sweet (too) malt, and some spicy pear (or what I imagine a spicy pear would taste like) - I am not pouring down the sink it has been a long week and I need a warm up - ideal brew for a hot late may day in a park out of a bag.

M - A very robust body it is sweet and syrupy with some lingering bitterness, from the pour I assumed it would be heavily carbonated (a real pop from the can) however the carbonation is really non-existent.

O - I will check this off on my bucket list - no need to "experience" this one again.

Serving type: can

12-16-2011 21:59:12 | More by Stocean1

Otterburn

Quebec (Canada)

3/5  rDev +7.9%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

out of the 500,ml can.

clear golden color, inch of white head

medium carbonation

smell alcool and cereal

the taste is a bit medium. alcool note, cereals,
not so well defined.

mouthfeel is playing with a medium carb and medium body, with a large part of alcool

overall, its not a beer i will remember that much. but for now, it works before lunch time.

Serving type: can

11-16-2011 22:00:59 | More by Otterburn

spinrsx

Ontario (Canada)

3.1/5  rDev +11.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

500ml Can

Appearance – Clear darker yellow colour with an average size fizzy white coloured head. There is an average amount of carbonation showing and there is a fair amount of lacing. The head lasted for around 3 minutes before it was gone.

Smell - Grains, bread, corn, malts, hops

Taste & Mouth - The beer has an average amount of carbonation. I can taste malts and very very light hops mixed with corn. There is also a hint of a caramel sweetness. It finishes with a malty cooked corn aftertaste.

Overall – The taste seemed little bit harsh at times, but for the most part it's a fairly enjoyable above average beer. Not something I'd ever buy again but it wasn't a waste of money.

Serving type: can

11-10-2011 17:55:41 | More by spinrsx

evlu1441

Alberta (Canada)

2.8/5  rDev +0.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

I've had the regular Holsten, and I wasn't too impressed. I'm hoping this Maibock is more than just an extra strong lager.

It has a deeper golden colour than a typical lager, with thin bubble head that is quickly dissipating. There is a lot of carbonation rising up to the top.

The aroma is sweet and malty. There is also a faint alcohol smell.

The flavour is has a richer maltiness than a regular lager. It has a slightly biscuity character. The alcohol is quite noticeable throughout, and though not offensive, not always the best. The body is kind of light, which lends to a watery taste after a while. After a few gulps, the alcohol is almost all there is to the flavour.

Overall, this definitely tastes like a maibock and not just a strong lager, but it isn't the best representation of the style.

Serving type: can

07-30-2011 02:38:21 | More by evlu1441

biegaman

Ontario (Canada)

3.2/5  rDev +15.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

Bocks are great beers for evolutionary geneticists: variation under domestication, natural selection, laws of variation, hybridism - examples abound in this historical German family of brews. This particular example, for instance, is much clearer and lighter than doppelbocks of similar strength, yet its deep orange body is darker than most helles (light) bocks.

The Reinheitsgebot (German Purity Law) - which this beer claims to adhere to - is an assurance that adjuncts weren't added to the beer, but it's no indication of whether the ingredients that were added are any good or added amply. This beer has a fairly flaccid maltiness that is accented by a dry alcohol and slight corny sweetness.

The alcohol and the malts work hand in glove; traces of bready Munich malt absorb some of the booze while it, in turn, beefs up the malt's otherwise pale plainness. There's a good balance struck. It's not what I'd call "rich" - which this style absolutely should be - but it's fairly clean. Still, I'm not satisfied unless I can feel the Munich malt in my gums.

The alcohol, while you can be sure it’s in there, is certainly not flagrant. The beer is, however, quite thin and notes of raw white sugar (probably added to boost the alcohol content) come and go, lingering more as the beer looses its chill. The beer would have certainly benefited from a few more kettle hops - they've really gotta axe that residual sweetness.

Holsten Maibock started off as a Seinfeld episode – a beer about nothing – but became more like a David Lynch film: pretty strange, hard to assess and even harder to tell if I liked it. I'm not sure what to think – I love the style but it is inherently a pale, strong lager which means that, if done poorly, it constitutionally becomes a “malt liquor”. That confusion doesn't happen with the style's best examples. With this one, however, it’s up to interpretation.

Serving type: can

05-31-2011 21:44:51 | More by biegaman

thehyperduck

Ontario (Canada)

3.1/5  rDev +11.5%
look: 2 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

I don't think I've sat down and reviewed any German beer before, or had a maibock before for that matter, so I'll get a few things out of the way with this one. Given the price of this 500 mL can and the higher ABV I am a little wary but every beer deserves a fair shake.

This beer is a pale golden orange colour, and the head was thick and foamy at first but it doesn't last much longer than a minute before fading to a cap of almost nothing. Looks kind of like a slightly darker adjunct beer. The smell is pleasant but not particularly notable - grains and grassiness, with some sweetness, and thankfully no whiff of alcohol.

The smell isn't hiding anything because most of the same notes are in the flavour - the highlights include honeyed malt sweetness, a little bit of hoppy bitterness in the finish. Sweetness lingers on the tongue even after this, and the alcohol doesn't really become noticeable until the beer has been sitting a bit. Medium-bodied, a little light for a bock; mouthfeel is a bit syrupy. Carbonation is fairly light and just tickles the tongue without being overpowering.

Holsten Maibock is alright and considerably better than many of its high-ABV-half-litre competitors, but it's nothing inspiring. If you are looking to get wasted (on beer) and don't want to get malt liquor or Black Ice-type garbage, this is a feasible option, though I have a feeling I'd regret drinking more than one or two of these anyway. You could definitely do worse, but I doubt I'll pick it up again - my only recommendation is that you drink this cold, and do it quickly before the alcohol starts to warm. Next up, the Festbock...

Serving type: can

05-16-2011 19:11:39 | More by thehyperduck

kwjd

Ontario (Canada)

3.08/5  rDev +10.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

500mL can from the LCBO. Pours a golden yellow colour with a finger of thick white head. The head dissipates leaving some patches on top of the beer. Smells quite grainy with a very faint grassy aroma. Almost no bitterness, very sweet though. Flavour is fairly clean and for a cheap high alcohol beer, I can see the appeal in this. I think it tastes better than macro lagers and it certainly punches higher at 7% alcohol.

Serving type: can

03-28-2011 02:54:10 | More by kwjd

liamt07

Ontario (Canada)

3.05/5  rDev +9.7%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Can from the LCBO, poured into a pint glass.

Poured a golden yellow, less than a finger of white head. A collar retains throughout; filtered body. Nose of light sweet malts, light cereals, some sweet pale candy and some grain. Taste follows with a general sweetness, some honey-like sweetness, cracker and some graininess in the finish. Medium-high carbonation, with a decent mouthfeel. Decent drinkability, but overall does the trick if your looking to warm up just a bit (like I was).

Serving type: can

02-27-2011 23:59:47 | More by liamt07

Tackledorange

Alberta (Canada)

3.63/5  rDev +30.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

it poured a clear golden colour with a 2 finger head that left some pretty decent lacing. It smells fairly sweet with a little floral hop smell and some grassy tones. It tastes very similar to what the smell is like more malt forward with a little tangy taste of hops at the end fairly light in flavour and body but for 7% abv it is pretty easy drinking but as it warmed up to room temperature the alcohol became very pronounced but not to overbearing.

Serving type: can

02-27-2011 01:16:43 | More by Tackledorange

biboergosum

Alberta (Canada)

3.4/5  rDev +22.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

500ml can.

This beer pours a perfectly clear medium golden colour, with three fingers of soapy off-white head, which leaves some thin filmy ropes of lace around the glass in its wake. It smells of bready white grain, mild boozy phenols, and grassy, earthy hops. The taste is strong and straightforward with the malt sweetness, soft alcohol edge, and grassy, floral hops. Bubbles are at a premium, as the carbonation is quite soft, the body medium weight, kind of slick, but ultimately smooth. It finishes clean, and drying, the understated warming alcohol and grassy/weedy hops taking hold.

An adequately drinkable Maibock, in the guise of a Euro strong lager. Just the thing to hit the spot as the weather unsurprisingly turns south - and as a suitable pairing to the imminent Rogan Josh...

Serving type: can

11-10-2010 04:25:32 | More by biboergosum

scott451

Ontario (Canada)

3.08/5  rDev +10.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

Poured a clear amberish gold into a glass mug. Two finger bubbly white head which didn't stick around. Good lacing.

Sweet malt smells. Some grassy floral notes. Sweet malts again in the taste. Caramel toffee with a slight bite. Very smooth hop finish. Quite nice. Big flavour.

Medeum body and carbonation. A little sweet for a big session. A 500ml can of 7% is not to be taken lightly. One of my fave winter brews though.

Serving type: can

10-31-2010 04:43:31 | More by scott451

BBP

Ontario (Canada)

2.5/5  rDev -10.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 2.5

A- Clear golden wheat color with little head. Disappeared all together rather quickly.

S- Sweet malt smell. Slight hop aroma.

T- Syrupy. Sweet malts, but lacking a bit in the hop department. Some metallic hints.

M- Hard on the tongue, but goes down easy. A bit more carbonation than average.

D- Pretty good for a getting drunk cheap beer. Not impressive tastewise though. The alcohol isn't too noticable, but it's noticable enough to take away from what could have been good.

Serving type: can

08-25-2010 22:23:47 | More by BBP

joemcgrath27

Alberta (Canada)

3.1/5  rDev +11.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

A - clear golden yellow, good white head that dissipated quickly to a thin film, decent lacing
S - resiny hops, metallic, light grainy malts, slightly perfumy
T - leafy and resiny hop flavours are fairly crisp and clean, mild grainy malts, but the tinny metallic flavours is a bit much
M - full carbonation but relatively thin, dryness is nice but again the feel is even metallic on the finish
D - relatively easy drinking like most of the German offerings you will find in a Canadian liquor store, but the higher ABV and the metallic flavours start to build up to make the experience less enjoyable

Serving type: can

08-09-2010 02:57:33 | More by joemcgrath27

ChrisCage

Alberta (Canada)

2.58/5  rDev -7.2%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2

A- This pours with a creamy thick white head, but it doesn't retain very well, settling fairly quick into a thin film over the beer. The color is golden and is very clear. There is a lot of carbonation, and they are big bubbles. The columns rise slower than many other beers so we'll see what we get....

S- Sweet malt dominates the aroma, but there is some hints of metallic astringency. The alcohol is more noticeable, but could be expected, being 7% and all. The finish is slightly herbal and there is some mild hop bitterness too.

T- Much like the aromas, with lots of malt sweetness that is slightly honeyed. The initial sweetness is quickly subdued though by a bitter metallic flavor and alcohol, which doesn't taste all that good. The lingering sweetness returns in a more mild manner on the palate afterwards.

M- Medium-light bodied and the carbonation is not overwhelming, which helps a bit in getting through the alcohol. However, it's just too alcoholic to really get a feel for the character overall.

D- Once I'm done this can I think I'll keep it at that. This isn't like the Festbock, which is good IMO. There isn't enough of a balance for me to want to drink this more. Might be good for a beer can chicken though, once the booze burns off, as the sweetness could liven up the meat...

Serving type: can

06-24-2010 20:36:51 | More by ChrisCage