Style 5A: Maibock/Helles bock
The maibock is the newest member of the bock style, being developed after the advent of light beer in the 19th century. The name simply means "May bock" or "light-colored bock" and it's a spring beer.
The color is generally a clear, golden amber with a white, creamy head. The aroma will be rich with malt and possibly include a slight toasted note and light melanoidins. There may also be a low, spicy and grassy hops aroma and/or fruit esters. Alcohol is appropriate in small amounts given the strength of this beer and DMS may be present from the use of pils malt.
A strong pale European malts flavor will dominate the taste, with, like in the aroma, light toast, esters, DMS, melanoidins (a licorice-like bock flavor), and noble (grassy) hops. Overall, it should be a smooth and clean flavor, on the sweetside, but not cloying. The carbonation and body should both be medium, or on the strong side. And hops will be more evident than in other bocks.
Pilsner malt should make up the base for this beer and have additions of Vienna and Munich malt for character. Noble hops are a must, along with soft water to avoid astringency. And decoction may be used to a small degree (so as to keep the color in check) like with other bocks.
OG: 1.064-1.072
FG: !.011-1.018
IBU: 23-35+
SRM: 6-11
ABV: 6.3-7.4%
Case Study: Pennsylvania Brewing Co. - Penndemonium
I'm struck by two things with this beer: First, the flavor is too subtle for an 8% beer. Second, this beer is incredibly drinkable. I feel more like I'm drinking some weird German bock hybrid of the English bitter. All the flavors, the grassy hops, bready malt, and sharp bock fruit ester are all a touch muted. At the same time, this beer feels exceedingly creamy in a great way and my bottle is empty in no time. While it's a shame this beer isn't richer, it will also sneak up on you.
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