Schell Maifest

Brewed by August Schell Brewing Company
Style: Heller Bock
New Ulm, Minnesota USA

This is the beer which I judge all others by. Each spring I watch the local stores for this to hit the shelves and then buy them out. The only thing I would improve on this beer is a bit more aroma, but thats a very minor thing. I have tried several other maibocks as it is my favorite style, and this beer stands alone.

Whatever your preference, respect this beer as quite representative of its style. Intense, fresh malty aroma. Well-blended fruity malts - and some bitter hops there as well - are blended with the end result approaching a French artisan beer and even something like a Belgian seasonal. Alcohol quite noticeable, especially on the finish; however it may _complement_ this style, because in a heavy-malt beer alcohol can perform the bittering function generally performed by extreme hopping.

Golden in color.Neraly no head at all.Sweet malty aroma with a hint of hops.sweet malt flavor some citrus hints in there along with a slight bitter hop presence.Quite a bit of carbonation and there is a alcohol taste that is present through out the taste,not strong but but light and pleasant with the mix of other flavor's.IMO this is a pretty decent brew and well worth having again just for the high drinkability of it.

This was a very tasty beer. It poured an orange color with a thin white head. Very malty and smooth throughout with a nice finish.

Good malty flavor, pours a nice tannish head, goes down real good until it warms. Gets you screwed up quick

Orange copper color. A bit darker than in previous years? Certainly darker than the picture. Nice, rich, sweet malty aroma. Decent carbonation, but head fades fast. Full bodied, big malty flavor. Sweet, candy-ish tones. This beer is full of malt and very little hops, as it should be. Alcohol is noticeable, but is not overpowering by any means. This is a fine, well crafted beer. Better than in years past, I believe.

Super crystal clear agate amber color with a puffy finger high head of off-white foam that fizzes away fairly quickly to a thin all-over skim, lacing drips back in quick leaving very minimal spots. Aroma is highly sweet of fresh bagel dough and lighter caramelness with vanilla, dulled grasses, and slight banana esters underneath. Taste is more of the same, with a very sweet and malty charge from front to back thats dulled of fruity-candyish waffer cookie things with small hints of grassy herbal spices peaking around the edges of the palate. Some grainy-sweet corn like sweetness mixes in there at a non-threatning level. Always keeps a decent balance of malty sweetner. Slightly crisp and drying in the finish, medium body feel, but overall slightly chewy and buttery slick, but in a light way not heavy. This was surprising to say the least, quite tasty and refreshing, one I’l have again....and again...

Pours a clear deep amber, topped by a good inch of creamy sudsy foam. Minimal head retention and lacing. Mild sweet fruity malt in the aroma. I like the flavor of the beer - light caramel malt, a little candied fruit, then a bit drier in the finish. Ample hops are noticeable, a little bit citrusy, however the beer remains on the sweet side. Hop bitterness and a trace of alcohol come through in the aftertaste. Medium body, moderate carbonation (I think a lot disapates with the pour). Tasty, clean, and drinkable.