Sierra Nevada Glissade Golden Bock

Sierra Nevada Brewing Company
Chico, California

APPEARANCE: 2/3
Gold color. Big foamy head that just implodes. Clear, steady stream of bubbles.

AROMA: 2.75/4
Very clean, minimal aroma. Slight skunkiness (for lack of a better word) when we poured it that faded quickly (we may have gotten an old bottle). Subtly sweet.

TASTE: 7.25/10
Hop/Malt Balance: 2.75/4: Sweet, malty, very clean. Subtle grassy hop. Some sweet corn.
Aftertaste: 2.25/3: A touch of hop bitterness at the finish, doesn't linger.
Mouth-Feel: 2.5/3: Falls out quickly. Medium-bodied, a session beer for sure.

OVERALL: 2/3: Good example of a Maibock. On par with Boulevard's Boss Tom's; well done for the style.

TOTAL: 14/20–I'll Try A Pint

NOTES:
Matt: I have said many times that I'm not a huge fan of the Maibock, but if I did have a hankering for one, I'd reach for this one. Well done for what it is--it is a Sierra Nevada product, after all.

Ben: Typical Maibock--better than most, because it's Sierra Nevada, but typical for the style. A clean, light, sweet beer.

Boulevard Boss Tom's Golden Bock

Boulevard Brewing Company
Kansas City, MO

APPEARANCE: 2.5/3
Beautiful gold color. Weak head that fades fast. Steady stream of bubbles. Crystal clear.

AROMA: 3/4
Very clean and crisp aroma. Sweet cream with some bubble gum notes. No hop aroma. Pilsner like.

TASTE: 7.5/10
Hop/Malt Balance: 3.25/4: Starts out sweet and malty. Hop bitterness in the middle to end. Apple juice and sweet cream notes. Minimal hop flavors.
Aftertaste: 2.25/3: Subtle hop bitterness starts at middle and crescendos to the finish.
Mouth-Feel: 2/3: Clean and effervescent. Maybe a touch too fizzy.

OVERALL: 2.25/3: A clean crisp maibock. Lots of malt, nicely offset by hop bitterness.

TOTAL: 15.25/20–Pour Me Another

NOTES:
Matt: Well done. A crisp spring beer. Not my favorite style, but a well done maibock nonetheless.
Ben: One of my preferred Boulevard seasonals. A good spring beer and a nice clean bock. Well done.

Rogue Dead Guy Ale

Rogue Ales
Newport, Oregon

APPEARANCE: 2.5/3
Light copper color. Decent head–persistent. Slightly hazy.

AROMA: 3/4
Grapefruit nose, subtle hop aroma.

TASTE: 6/10
Hop/Malt Balance: 2/4: Sufficiently malty, but I'm not a fan of the Perle hop used here.
Aftertaste: 1.75/3: Lingering bitterness. Syrupy, fades to bitter. An almost synthetic aftertaste.
Mouth-Feel: 2.25/3: Decently malty, bright.

OVERALL: 2/3: A drinkable pale, but the strong chemical taste is a turn-off.

TOTAL: 13.5/20–I'll Try A Pint

NOTES:
Matt: I know it's popular, but it doesn't do it for me. Give me a Sierra Nevada over a Dead Guy any day. I will give kudos for the variety of beers they brew and the work they put into their web site, which is awesome. These guys clearly have a passion for beer.
Ben: Hop choice is reminiscent of most of Lagunitas's beers–it dominates all else. Just okay.

Summit Maibock (Seasonal)

Summit Brewing Company
St. Paul, Minnesota

APPEARANCE: 2.5/3
Nice gold color, thin head.

AROMA: 3.5/4
Malty nose, somewhat fruity. Subtle bubblegum notes.

TASTE: 7.5/10
Hop/Malt Balance: 3/4: Minimal hop up front, malty, bright. Some citrusy notes.
Aftertaste: 2/3: Lingering bitterness, slight astringence.
Mouth-Feel: 2.5/3: Very smooth.

OVERALL: 2/3: True to style, a solid spring beer. Not great, but good.

TOTAL: 15.5/20–Pour Me Another

NOTES:
Matt: A solid Maibock. Aftertaste was the only real drawback.
Ben: Its smoothness is its nicest quality. Easy to drink, a good session beer.