Mad River Steelhead Double IPA

Brewed by Mad River Brewery
Style: Imperial/Double IPA
Blue Lake, California USA

Poured a copper color with a small, off white head that left light lacing on the glass. Aroma of lemon, floral hops, some tea, with pine, citrus, and a bit of toffee as well. Taste was slightly bitter, grapefruit, citrus fruits, caramel malts. Alcohol was fairly well hidden.

Fairly heady hop aroma is mostly grapefruit, but is not devoid of piney notes. There is also a good dose of sweet malt beneath, but citrus/grapefruit accented hops are the main attraction. The body is a darker bruised orange color and holds a fairly lasting, compact white head. Very citrus/grapefruit and malt accented. The almost sweet citrus notes meld into the malt component very nicely. Goes bitter and stays that way faqr into the aftertaste. I would prefer a little less bitterness, but this is a pretty nice brew on the whole.

bottle- strangely, I loved this beer’s smaller IPA brother, but not this. thin mouthfeel, hop presense not felt as sweet fruity maltyness takes over...not a high abv either for an appearent double. just okay.

Bottle sampled on 12/3/06: Pours a clear copper orange with a thin-lacing wispy white head. Aroma of sweet caramel malt and fresh grapefruity hops. Body starts full, sweet and malty with a good grapefruity hoppy presence and a smoother, slightly warming finish. A well-balanced and enjoyable IIPA.

Bottle from trade with jimbowood. Hazy orange pour with a thin film of white lace. Aroma is sweet malt and some sharp hops. Flavor is sweet with a good bite of hops. Sticky body.

12 oz bottle. $8.49 for a six at Total Wine. I just got slammed with a cold and so I will have to give it the benefit of a doubt, besides a high abv beer is just what the doctor (me!) ordered to treat it with. Typical pleasant IPA aroma from what I could detect with this cold. Flavor is very good with an initial sweet pale maltiness, and then the hops come on crisp and citrusy, heavy grapefruit, and a strong, lasting bitterness. Bold IPA flavors but the brew remains light and drinkable. Very juicy with hops, and fairly balanced for an extreme beer like this. I like it. I’m feeling better already.

Bottle from Padrefan98: Pours a hazy copper/orange color with a modest off-white head. Thick lacing. Nose is citrus and piney hops, some sweet malts and fruitiness. Taste is more hops, both citrus and floral. Hints of pine. A nice, sweet malt balances out the taste into a lingering bitter trailer. Very good.

Bottle. One of the neatest aromas I’ve ever smelled from a beer. The malts has a straw smell and there’s an earthy yeast aroma with dried fruit in the background. The hops smell like , get this, pot pipe resin. No kidding (and no I wasn’t smoking). Color is a hazy red/tan with tiny particles. There was really no head on this pour, maybe my fault. Taste is very complex, though a bit out of balance. Sweet, bitter and acidic to start and a long, dry, bitter finish. Body is medium and oily and the carbonation was soft, almost flat. Not my favorite Double IPA but it’s uniqueness makes me want (crave?) more.