Extremely rich dry-bodied mahogany stout serenades penetrative grains, sugared oats, burnt caramel, and maple sap with lingered coffee roast to subtly bitter smoked finish, hiding heavy alcohol content for less restrictive novices.
MAD RIVER JOHN BARLEYCORN BARLEYWINE ALE
Serpentine-like turbid magenta barleywine changes course like vintage wine. Haughtily acrid molasses-draped charred wood, black tar, and tobacco chaw bittering, alongside hefty 9.5% alcohol burn, may disappoint softer palates, but escalating lactic robustness sweetens endless peculiarities efficiently. Chewy brown-sugared chocolate-vanilla upsurge informs pureed raisin creaminess, orange-bruised cherry puree compaction, and illustrious medicinal finish. Dry bourbon, burgundy, and brandy wining stumbles across hard-candied coriander-spiced anise stickiness. Not for the weak-hearted. Compares favorably to highly efficient double bocks.
MAD RIVER JAMAICA SUNSET INDIA PALE ALE
West Coast IPA given bright Jamaican reggae-styled label, lingering tongue-coating citrus fruitiness, and pleasing berry-enhanced barley-oats finish. Zesty citric hop spicing counters earthy grains and herbal hemp twist. Sort of a cross between a bitter IPA and sweet red ale.
MAD RIVER JAMAICA RED ALE
Burgundy-hued bitter with mocha malt pungency, bittersweet spiced-hop refuge, and tart red-fruited simmer. Oxidized chocolate undermines unconvincingly dry roasted barley finish.
MADONNA WHEAT ALE
Made from Belgian recipe, dry Scotch entry adorns alcohol-doused, hop-tingled mandarin orange tang and crisp seltzer fizz of moderate-bodied Romanian wit. Phenol finish disrupts wafting grapefruit-lemon esters.
(MADISON) WILLOUGHBY’S SCOTTISH ALE
Heavily carbolic billowy-headed rust-hued full-bodied ale with creamy facade, white wine fragrance, and candied Scotch influence. Sinewy yeast absorbs fizzy orange peel mist. Chewy and rich but lacking assertive malt finish. Compares favorably to Mac Andrews Scotch Ale.
MADISON OLD 76 ALE
Sweet barleywine persistence and musty alcohol-fueled berry fruitiness frame full-bodied roasted grain thickness. Sweet n’ sour candy finish rounds out extremely busy ale.
MAD ANTHONY OL WOODY PALE ALE
Copper penny-hazed yellow-fruited ale gains terrific perfumed hop surge. Caramel malt sweetening complements loud citric finish. Crisp water lilt refreshes. On tap, woody-hopped cereal-grained fruit spicing increases lemony grapefruit bittering and buttery peach-apple-pear illusions.
MAC TARNAHAN’S UNCLE OTTO’S WEISS BEER
Fizzy Munich-styled wheat beer lacks assertion as sour yeast and unripe banana counter sweet butterscotch beneath disturbing phenol enzymes.
MAC TARNAHAN’S THUNDERHEAD STOUT
Middling dry medium body lacks charisma, determination, and froth of robust category. Bittersweet cola nut, dank chocolate, and raw molasses lose potency by drab roasted coffee finish. Orange peel stint falters.
MAC TARNAHAN’S OREGON HONEY LAGER
Bland, acidic, straw-hued brew lacks head, body, and proper hop fizz. Stank-y malt aroma leads to stale bread mouthfeel, soured honey tone, and husked grain-fresh hay moderation.
MAC TARNAHAN’S HIGHLANDER PALE ALE
Soft water texture, bland seltzer fizz, muted quince-red grape seduction, and pleated orange peel bitterness inform busy, yet light-bodied, spice-hopped Belgian knockoff. Sweet cracked wheat finish accessible to sporty pilsner fans.