Mad River Serious Madness Black Ale

Aroma: 9 | Appearance: 6 | Mouthfeel: 9 | Flavor: 8 | Overall: 8

Jet blackness in color. Bif tan frothy head rises above. There's excellant hang time on this one. Settles eventually into thick ringlet and splotches of film. The nose is a singular dimension of roasted malt. More complex in the tasting is a nice dance of roasted malt and earthy hops. Thick bodied and creamy. It is what I enjoy.

Aroma: 8 | Appearance: 6 | Mouthfeel: 5 | Flavor: 6 | Overall: 6

12oz bottle. Pours a dark brown black with a thick creamy tan head that foes to a thin film and leaves some lacing.

The aroma is subdued - roasted chocolate malts with some dark fruits.

The flavor is a lot of roast - some chocolate and coffee, with a big acidic bitter roast finish. The mouthfeel is medium bodied and slightly watery.

Overall, it's an OK, very roasty black ale.

Aroma: 8 | Appearance: 7 | Mouthfeel: 8 | Flavor: 8 | Overall: 8

I never had any beef with Mad River. Actually only sampled a few times....so when I saw this on clearance for $1 figured it was a "no lose" proposition....especialy for 8.6%. It probably is a little past the best buy date. Tastes decent though. Good malty flavors with some bitterness at the end. The balance isn't the greatest...good enough though to get an 8 rating on flavor. Not as thick as a stout or porter. I've been getting into black ales lately, and this is one that I would try again.

Aroma: 8 | Appearance: 7 | Mouthfeel: 5 | Flavor: 3 | Overall: 3

Bought two 4 packs around New Year up in Oregon. I like the brewery, and had some high hopes. Looked fine, smelled right,went down hill on the mouth feel. Black, nasty, and loaded for a bad next day. All who drank this black barf said never again. I agree.

Aroma: 8 | Appearance: 6 | Mouthfeel: 6 | Flavor: 7 | Overall: 7

Dark brown body with a creamy tan cap. Aroma is roasted malts, black walnuts, and creamed coffee. Light coffee/cocoa on the palate with a earthy hop finish. Dark fruits and some Red Ropes come out as well. Hops defnitely takes a back seat to the malts and alcohol.

Aroma: 7 | Appearance: 7 | Mouthfeel: 7 | Flavor: 8 | Overall: 7

leaves an impression like an imperial black lager. pours lighter than a stout, like a black ale should. aroma is lots of roasted malt and hops. feel is medium-full...fuller than i thought it would be, but a little too much carbonation. goes down warm. the flavor is pretty stinkin good. loads of roasted choclate malt, coffee, hops...dry bittersweet finish. nice beer.

Aroma: 8 | Appearance: 7 | Mouthfeel: 8 | Flavor: 7 | Overall: 7

Tasted during the Nor Cal Beer Geek Tasting on 3/11/2009. This ASA pours a deep black color from a 12oz bottle. Small to medium sized white foamy head. The aroma is roasted malt, a touch of chocolate and some hops. A medium bodied Strong Ale. The malts are roasty and dark. The hops are spicy and floral. Nice carbonation. Nice chocolate flavors. It reminds me of a schwartzbier on steroids. Hides the alcohol very well. Mouthfeel is full and round. Finish is clean and smooth. Aftertaste is slightly bitter.