Mad River Jamaica Red Ale

Brewed by Mad River Brewery
Style: Amber Ale
Blue Lake, California USA

Way overpriced, nothing special at all. Rich and malty with some hops in there after a deep copper color with a decent initial head and ok lacing. Lots of brown sugar in the flavor, some citric sourness, and a touch of hops. Not nearly as balanced as I was expecting, could have used some more bitter notes to balance out the relatively sweet caramel malt base. Mouthfeel was somewhat acidic feeling.

From a stubby twist cap brown bottle with no bottled/freshness date. Made a decent appearance, poured a hazy rudy brown garnet with a small foamy head that settled into a thin tiny bubbly lacing, very minimal amount of sticking, moderate carbonation. Had a caramel malty and tropical fruity nose with hints of a earthy breadiness at the edges. A crisp, textured and smooth medium bodied mouth feel, good drinkability. Caramel malty with a little sugar throw in as well, a rind tropical fruity and spicy, herbal hop bitterness follows, and a dryish caramel and bready finish with a little caramel and herbs lingering in the palate. A decent amber/red ale from Mad River, well worth trying.

This beer didn’t suck. Deep copper with a foamy beige head. Sweet, malty, with more hops essence than expected in an amber ale. Notes of caramel and citrus hops. Medium body and some substance in texture. The flavor was slightly sweet at first with some nice hops bitterness kicking in.

Dark red body, small head. Aroma is spicy and fruity hops, lotsa caramel. Flavor is the same, very drinkable. One of the best amber ales I’ve had.

(Draft. 03/2006) Fruity, appley aromas. Hazy, red amber. Almost cidery aromas. Crystal malts leaving an almost harsh caramel taste. Apple flavors. Fresh, hoppy, grassy flavors -- perhaps a little chlorophyl even. Dry finish due to the almost citrus, rindy notes left by the hops althought the maltiness of this beer is definitely noticible by a slight stickiness left on the lips.

Brownish red appearance with a small white head and light lacing. Aroma is caramel malt and spicy hops. Decently carbonated , medium-bodied mouthfeel. Taste was well hopped, a bit spicy and pleasantly bitter. Dry, long lasting finish. One of the better Amber Ales I’ve had recently, partly because the palate was not as sticky.

I’m confused by the style of this beer. The spiced hop aroma had me thinking it was a American Pale Ale. Caramel and biscuit malts then changed my mind that the beer style was a Scottish ale. However, the watery and flat body gave it a bit of ESB style. I guess that’s why its classified an Amber Ale, the intersection of all these beer styles. If this beer did not pour flat I would have rated it higher.

American "Red" or Amber Ale is a style with a pretty broad spectrum. I’ve had some tremdous examples over the years, and my fair share of duds as well. One of my all time favorite examples of this style is Mad River Jamacian Red. This beer delivers on what an American Amber(Red) Ale should really be all about. Lots of vibrant hop aromas, flavors, and bitterness, paired with lots of good sweet and stewed malt character. Jamacian Red pours to a beautiful, deep amber to red color with a thick and creamy white head, and a moderate carbonation. The nose on fantastic on this beer with lots of good citrus and piney hop aromas paired with some good malt sweetness and some estery fruit aroma. The palate is soft and full with lots of good biscuit and caramel malt flavors, paired with nice touches of tangy fruit flavor. Jamacian Red finishes with more good malt and fruit up front, then ends with a tangy, and pleasing citric hop bitterness that lingers. This is a great drinking beer, and a very food friendly dish as well. Jerk chicken or curryed goat anyone? Very well done Mad River!