Mad River Steelhead Scotch Porter

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

Bottle: Nice and dark midnight crimson color with a thin but volcanic tan head. My first impression of the aroma was almost hoppy; the more I smell, I get more roasty java, but that floral hoppieness remains. Interesting. What a nice blend of flavors here ... lightly smoky and roasted malt to be sure, but there’s also additional aspects of lightly citric hoppiness, bitter nuttiness and even a little bitter chocolate. Outstanding porter. (#2753, 3/16/2007)

black body, thin brown head, dry finish, dark chocolate, hint of scotch/bourbon flavor, not particularly ’scotchy’ but a nice well balanced porter just the same

Not black as night. Pours a thin brown, but when it’s all contained in the drinking vessel of choice it takes on a deeper tone. Fizzy head looks nice while it lasts, which wasn’t long. Subtle roasty aroma with some extinguished fire smokiness. At first, I felt a little underwhelmed. But as I sip away, I grow a little more fond. Definitely quaffable and probably sessionable.

bottle. dark pour with thin tan head. rich aroma of roasted malts, sugar, chocolate and smoke. very tasty. rich and creamy. slight sour finish. smoke is moderate and steady. pretty solid.

Pours a very dark brown with a very light tan head. Nose is pretty light, caramel, dark malts, a little coffee. taste is pretty sweet, caramel and coffee notes dominate it. get alot of dark fruit in the finish. i thought it was a pretty decent combo and quite interesting. Rather smooth. Not awesome but I’d drink again.

Roasted coffee/chocolate aroma, a hint of smoke in the aroma. Pours dark dark brown almost black, with a huge tan head. Its a lot lighter than i expected. Smooth coffee, chocolate, roasted barley, a little sweetness in there, hints of caramel. Some hops in the finish with a little smoke. Smooth but it needs a little kick! but very drinkable, good session stuff.

Just about black in color, light brown head with good lacing, nose full of chocolate, dark roasted coffee & caramel, medium body, very smooth & drinkable, deep & dark flavors with notes of cocoa, toffee, candy apple & a little bit of smokiness, fairly bitter finish with lots of hops present along with a touch of dark chocolate, a very good porter

Bottle sampled at Issac Newton’s. Pours a deep brown with a compact small tan head. Aroma of roast, smoke, caramel, and hops. The flavor is coffee-like, roasted caramel malts, some smokiness, and a bitter hoppy finish. Good brew.