FORT COLLINS, CO — The Fort Collins Brewery’s Maibock —rated 99 on ratebeer.com — returns for its yearly appearance after a customary aging time of 6+ months. FCB’s rendition of this traditional style, brewed for centuries in Germany for consumption at spring festivals, features a smooth malty flavor attained from rich malts that finishes with gentle warming sweetness. Toffee notes and understated hop bitterness round out the flavor experience.
Just as this style of beer is a tradition in its native southern Germany, Maibock has become a traditional fixture in FCB’s seasonal lineup, and its well-honed profile won’t be changing anytime soon.
“We have some beers that we periodically tweak for improvement,” says FCB’s operations manager Doug Smith, “but we don’t touch Maibock’s recipe. We have this beer exactly where we want it.”
Maibock will be tapped in the FCB Tasting Room for Tap Club members on Tuesday, March 5th, and it will be generally available in the Tasting Room beginning Wednesday, March 6th. You can also find it in 22oz bottles in liquor stores and on draught in bars and restaurants.
Unlike ales, which can be brewed quickly on demand, Maibock’s long aging time means that once this first batch is gone, FCB’s brewers won’t have time to make more for this season. It will be 2014 before the goat returns again.
Beer Stats:
- Alcohol by Volume (ABV): 6.4%
- Hop Bitterness (IBUs): 34
- Color (SRM): 22
Maibock isn’t the only beer coming out of FCB’s tanks in March. The latest brew in FCB’s limited release and draught only Tap Club series, For Whom the Belg Tolls, a Belgian ESB, will be tapped for Tap Club members on Tuesdsay, March 5th and available to everyone beginning March 6th. For Whom the Belg Tolls will only be available in the FCB Tasting Room, Gravity 1020, and a few select bars and restaurants in Colorado.
This sesionable Belgian beer features tons of carmel and malt character, and hints of spice from the yeast are balanced with citrus notes from the hops.
Beer Stats:
- Alcohol by Volume (ABV): 5.6%
- Hop Bitterness (IBUs): 34
- Color (SRM): 12