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Hofbräuhaus Maibock

Staatliches Hofbräuhaus München
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🌍 Germany · Maibock · One of 13 Maibocks in hopIQ

Munich's oldest bock beer, first brewed in the Einbeck manner by master brewer Elias Pichler in 1614. This pale, bottom-fermented strong beer is made by decoction from Munich malt and pale barley malt at 16.6 °P, hopped with Herkules, Perle and Select to 31 IBU, and released between mid-February and the end of April. It glows copper in the glass. Forest honey, a cognac-like note and light caramel lead the nose; the palate follows with sweet biscuit, rum-soaked fruit, toasted bread and marzipan, closing velvety and full on a delicate grapefruit bitterness and noticeable warmth.

ABV
7.2%
Bitterness
Noticeably bitter31 IBU
Citrus hop bitterness
SRM
golden8
How it drinks· Its pace, balance and relationship to the style.
Pace
sessionsipper
Balance
malt-ledhop-led
Where this beer sits· Four axes, the same for every beer in hopIQ.
Body
Full body.
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
Gently sweet notes.
drysweet
Bitterness
Soft bitterness.
mildbitter
Texture
Somewhat creamy mouthfeel.
crispcreamy

The weight carries the beer on its own, leaving the aromatics free to lead.

Character· What makes this beer itself — not just another Maibock.
Hop character
citrusy
Malt character
honey
toasty
bready
caramel
Fermentation & yeast
fruity

FEATURED IN

Featured inThe Best German Strong Beers

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Hofbräuhaus Maibock

Appearance

The beer presents a bright copper hue in the glass, with excellent clarity and a dense, persistent white head that clings to the sides with fine lacing. The carbonation is moderate and well-integrated, lending visual liveliness without aggression. The overall presentation speaks to careful brewing and conditioning.

copper-goldclearfine lacingmoderate carbonation

Aroma

The nose leads with forest honey and candied sweetness, followed by a subtle cognac-like warmth that hints at the beer's elevated alcohol. Notes of light caramel and toasted bread provide a grounding foundation, while a delicate marzipan character adds complexity. The overall impression is malty and dignified, without aggressive hop character.

forest honeycognac-like warmthtoasted breadmarzipan

Taste

The palate opens with sweet biscuit and develops into rum-soaked stone fruit, toasted bread, and subtle almond notes reminiscent of marzipan. Underlying caramel sweetness and a full, velvety mouthfeel persist through the mid-palate, while a noticeable alcohol warmth builds gradually. The finish transitions to a delicate grapefruit bitterness that brings balance without harshness.

sweet biscuitrum-soaked fruitmarzipanvelvety body

Finish

The finish is medium-long, with the grapefruit bitterness lingering alongside a gentle alcohol warmth that never becomes hot or unpleasant. A faint toasted grain dryness emerges as the beer fades, leaving the palate clean yet satisfied.

grapefruit bitternesswarm aftertastetoasted dryness
82
hopIQ score
Aroma
84
Taste
85
Appearance
80
Finish
78
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Serve & Enjoy

How to get the most out of Hofbräuhaus Maibock

Serve at 12–16°C
Refrigerate, then rest 2 min

Serve at 12–16°C for the best flavour balance and aroma expression.

Pint glass
Recommended for this style

The classic — versatile, comfortable to hold and keeps the beer cool. No frills, no distractions: just the beer.

Store in a cool, dark place. Check the best-before date on the label for guidance.

Food Pairing

What to eat with Hofbräuhaus Maibock

About Maibock

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a Maibock?

Bocks are strong German lagers with 6.5–7.5% ABV. Rich malt sweetness — toast, chocolate, caramel — with low bitterness and a warming finish.

Finding a similar Maibock

hopIQ matches by flavor profile — not just style label. A beer with the same honey, sweet, full-bodied character as Hofbräuhaus Maibock will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

Other Maibocks in hopIQ

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