Maibock Recipe (All-Grain): 5 to 30 Gallons
An all-grain Maibock recipe you can brew at 5 to 30 gallons: 6.8% ABV and 23 IBU, with the grain bill, hop schedule, yeast and step-by-step process.
In this post
Maibock at a glance: 6.8% ABV, 23 IBU, OG 1.068. A strong, golden spring lager: rich, bready Pilsner and Munich malt, a firm but clean bitterness and a dry finish, at about 6.8%. Stronger and hoppier than a helles, and paler than a traditional bock.
Bräu Supply recipe · All-grain
Maibock
Grain · for 5 gal into the fermenter
| 10.5 lb (4.76 kg) | Pilsner malt | 74% |
| 3.5 lb (1.59 kg) | Munich malt | 25% |
| 0.25 lb (0.11 kg) | Carapils | 2% |
Hops
| 0.5 oz (14 g) | Magnum · 13% AA | 60 min |
| 1 oz (28 g) | Hallertau Mittelfrüh · 4% AA | 15 min |
Yeast and water
| 2 pkg | German lager yeast (W-34/70, WLP830 or Wyeast 2124), 2 packets or a large starter | |
| Water | Soft water. | |
Process
- Mash: 150°F (66°C) for 60 minutes, then mash out at 168°F (76°C)
- Boil: 90 minutes
- Ferment: 50°F (10°C) for about 2 weeks, then a diacetyl rest at 60 to 62°F (16°C)
- Condition: Lager near 34°F (1°C) for 6 to 8 weeks
- Carbonate: 2.5 volumes of CO₂
Brew it on
Based on 72% brewhouse efficiency and about 5.5 gal after the boil for a 5 gal batch. Adjust the base malt if your system runs higher or lower. Hops scale in a straight line; larger kettles extract a little more bitterness.
How to brew it
- Mash at 150°F (66°C) for 60 minutes, then mash out.
- Boil with the lid off, adding the hops on schedule.
- Chill to 48°F (9°C), oxygenate well and pitch plenty of healthy lager yeast.
- Ferment at 50°F (10°C). When the gravity is about three quarters of the way down, let it rise to 60 to 62°F (16°C) for a 2 to 3 day diacetyl rest.
- Cool it a few degrees a day, lager near 34°F (1°C) for 6 to 8 weeks, then package at about 2.5 volumes of CO₂.
Tips
- Pitch plenty of healthy lager yeast. Strong lagers need about twice as much as ales; see how to make a yeast starter.
- Brew it in winter so it’s ready for spring.
Frequently asked questions
Is Maibock the same as helles bock?
Yes. Maibock means “May bock”, a pale bock brewed for spring.
How long does it take?
About 2 weeks to ferment and 6 to 8 weeks to lager.
Related guides
lagering guide, how to make a yeast starter, Munich helles recipe.