Josephs Brau Prost (Spring Prost)

This is a seasonal release from the Josephsbrau Brewing Company of San Jose, California (it is my understanding they are contract brewed by Gordon Biersch). It is a store brand of Trader Joe's. This is a 7.3% ABV Maibock style. "Prost" is a Germanic toast, like "cheers."

The beer pours a deep amber and copper in color. There is over an inch of thick and foamy head, off-white to very light brown. The aroma is malty, bready, rich, sweet potato. The taste follows the aromas, very malty, roasted and toasted, caramel, dark toffee, sweet potato, bready. There are enough hops that all that malt and relatively higher alcohol don't veer off into sweetness. It actually ends fairly dry. This is a pretty darn good Maibock, especially for its store brand price point.

2016: Well, they have changed the name to Spring Prost and changed the label art dramatically, but the beer is still very good for its price point.

The beer pours a dark copper and amber in color. There is nearly an inch of light tan foam. The aroma is malty, sweet potato, caramel, dark fruits. The taste follows the aromas note for note. There is sweetness from the malt, but enough hops to come to a mostly dry and moderately bitter finish. The beer drinks with a full body and fine, yet strong, carbonation.