Tasting Notes: Mad River Serious Madness Black Ale
By Noah Davis • Mar 16th, 2009 • Category: Tasting notes
Though its label looks a little like a Magic: The Gathering card, this black beer (actually a schwarzbier) is anything but freakish (sorry, Magic kids). It’s a wonderfully noisy beer — you can hear the tan head’s froth. The shiny, dark sienna color is clear when tipped. There’s coffee and chocolate and a hint of caramel in the aroma, which is lusciously roasted, but as the style dictates, never burnt. Bitter hops, a bit of chocolate, and lots of roasty goodness fill the super-rich flavor, and an appropriately thick mouthfeel makes the whole thing luxe rather than thick and overwhelming — you certainly wouldn’t guess the 8.6% ABV. Its just-strong-enough aftertaste locks you into loving this seriously true-to-style beer.
