Pollyanna Nose Over Tail 4Pk

Pollyanna Nose Over Tail 4Pk is a German-style Helles Bock (Maibock) lager brewed by Pollyanna Brewing Company in Illinois, sold in a 4-pack at 7.0% ABV. This malt-forward seasonal earned a Silver Medal at the 2023 World Beer Cup in the German-Style Bock or Maibock category, placing it among the best examples of the style produced anywhere in the world.

Quick Facts: ABV: 7.0%  |  IBU: 28  |  Origin: Lemont, Illinois  |  Style: Helles Bock / Maibock Lager  |  Brewery: Pollyanna Brewing Company

Production & Heritage

Pollyanna Brewing Company is headquartered in Lemont, Illinois, with additional locations in Roselle and St. Charles. Nose Over Tail is their take on the traditional Maibock — a strong German springtime lager historically brewed to celebrate the arrival of warmer weather and beer garden season. The beer is malt-forward and relies on a generous backbone of caramel and bread-like malts, balanced by noble hops that provide restrained herbal and grassy bitterness rather than aggressive hop character. At 28 IBU, the hopping rate stays deliberately low, allowing the rich malt profile to lead.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Biscuity pale malt and fresh bread dough dominate the nose, joined by light honey sweetness. Subtle earthy, herbal noble hop notes sit underneath, adding complexity without competing with the grain character.

Taste: The entry is smooth and malt-driven, with caramel and bready flavors arriving immediately. Mid-palate, a gentle sweetness reminiscent of honey and toasted bread crust develops, while faint spicy and grassy hop notes provide structure. Despite 7.0% ABV, the beer drinks clean and avoids any harsh booziness — the alcohol is well-integrated into the lager's silky body.

Finish: Medium in length with a creamy, effervescent texture that lifts the residual malt sweetness off the palate. A faint charcoal-like dryness and lingering biscuit character close out each sip.

How to Drink Nose Over Tail

Serve chilled in a traditional Pokal glass or tall pilsner glass between 42–48°F to let the malt aromatics open up without excessive warmth amplifying the alcohol. Nose Over Tail is purpose-built for straightforward drinking — pour it and enjoy it. For food-oriented occasions, treat it the way you would in a German beer garden: alongside pretzels, grilled sausages, or roasted chicken. Its malt sweetness and moderate bitterness also make it a strong candidate for a beer cheese dip base or a braising liquid for pork shoulder.

Best For

• Spring and early summer beer garden gatherings
• Introducing craft lager drinkers to the Bock family of styles
• Pairing with hearty grilled foods at a backyard cookout
• Gifting to a beer enthusiast who values award-winning German-style lagers

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Nose Over Tail taste like? Nose Over Tail is a malt-forward Maibock lager with prominent caramel, biscuit, and bread crust flavors, balanced by light herbal and grassy noble hops. It drinks smooth and clean at 7.0% ABV with no harsh alcohol presence.

How does Nose Over Tail compare to Rogue Dead Guy? Both are American-brewed interpretations of the Maibock style, but Dead Guy is technically brewed as an ale, while Nose Over Tail is a true cold-fermented lager. Nose Over Tail tends to present a creamier, more restrained malt profile at 7.0% ABV, whereas Dead Guy (6.8% ABV) leans slightly hoppier and is more widely distributed as a year-round offering.

Is Nose Over Tail good for craft beer beginners? Yes — its smooth, malt-driven character and absence of aggressive bitterness or intense hop flavor make it an accessible entry point into stronger German-style lagers. The 7.0% ABV is present but well-hidden by the beer's balanced body.

Where is Nose Over Tail made? Nose Over Tail is brewed by Pollyanna Brewing Company, headquartered in Lemont, Illinois. Pollyanna also operates brewing locations in Roselle and St. Charles, Illinois.

What foods pair well with Nose Over Tail? Grilled bratwurst or kielbasa complements the caramel malt sweetness. Soft pretzels with mustard mirror the bready, biscuity flavors. Roasted pork loin works well against the beer's silky body. Aged Gruyère or Emmental cheese highlights the subtle honey notes. Herb-roasted chicken matches the herbal noble hop undertones.

What sizes does Nose Over Tail come in? Nose Over Tail is available in a 4-pack of cans, which is the standard retail format for this release.

Is Nose Over Tail worth the price? Nose Over Tail positions as a craft Maibock with serious credentials, including a 2023 World Beer Cup Silver Medal. Within the landscape of American-brewed Bocks, it represents strong value for a style that demands precise lager technique and high-quality malt, and it delivers on both.

Why Nose Over Tail?

Maibock is one of the most technically demanding lager styles to execute well — it requires clean fermentation, restrained hopping, and a malt bill that delivers richness without cloying sweetness. Pollyanna's Nose Over Tail nailed that balance convincingly enough to earn Silver at the 2023 World Beer Cup, competing against entries from breweries worldwide. The 7.0% ABV sits at the style's traditional strength without ever announcing itself, a sign of careful brewing rather than brute force. For anyone seeking a legitimate, award-recognized American Maibock that respects its German roots, Nose Over Tail is one of the strongest options currently available from an Illinois brewery.