Steelhead Double India Pale Ale - Mad River Brewing Company

UCLABrewN84

California

3.53/5  rDev -7.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

On tap at Tony's Darts Away in Burbank, CA.

Pours a hazy honey orange with a foamy orange-beige head that settles to a thin cap on top of the beer. Foamy swaths of lace form around the glass on the drink down. Smell is of malt, honey, citrus zest, and slight perfume-like aroma. Taste is much the same with a medium hop bitterness on the palate with each sip. This beer has a lower level of carbonation with a slightly crisp and medium bodied mouthfeel. Overall, this is a pretty good beer but nothing too exciting for the style.

Serving type: on-tap

11-22-2012 06:49:41 | More by UCLABrewN84

srandycarter

California

3.53/5  rDev -7.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A - Slightly murky apricot/honey, good near white head.

S - Hops and mildew - malty secondary smell.

T - Very dry -light malt, tons of hops, very ripe grapefruit.

M - Med body, good carb, nice balance.

D - A very easy drinker. Not an exceptional beer, but great for a summer picnic!

Serving type: on-tap

03-24-2012 02:39:48 | More by srandycarter

Scotchboy

Idaho

3.78/5  rDev -1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On-tap @ Bier:Thirty, Boise ID. Served in a tulip.

A: Appears orange with amber hues, relatively turbid, with a light amount of off-white head and some decent lace.

S: Heavy dose of malt and hops, a good balanced DIPA...some tropical fruitiness, herbal & piney notes, bready malts, toasted caramel, spices, and faint alcohol.

T: Follows the nose, pine emerges more prominently on the palette and blends with the juicy fruit notes. Good dose of bitterness...again, pretty balanced. Hoppy, with a hefty bready malt bill. As it warms, the flavors get a little watery.

MF: Denser medium mouthfeel, decent dryness and bitterness.

O: I'd have it again. Pretty decent malt bill & hop presence...the alcohol is faint...pretty drinkable.

Serving type: on-tap

02-01-2012 20:50:29 | More by Scotchboy

Gehrig

Illinois

3.9/5  rDev +1.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Enjoyed on tap at The Independent in Seminole Heights, FL.

One finger of off-white foam tops a clear brown-amber body. Good duration and rings of snowy lacing on the pint glass start things well. The smell is at least as malty as hopped, with biscuit malt, almond, and hints of dark chocolate the most prominent aromas. Some (potentially C-hop) citrus smell comes through, but not much.

Good, very balanced taste, hop-forward but with a sturdy malt backbone. Grapefruit, orange peel, and some tangerine with ample biscuit malt tying things together nicely. Steelhead is tasty and smooth, an easy-going. It certainly isn't the most complex DIPA I have ever had, and the smell really should be much better for the style, but the taste and texture are quite satisfying.

I do not say this as if I mind the presence of the malt as such in Steelhead--anything but. In general, I like a good malt presence as a complement to heavy hops in DIPA. However, I do think Steelhead would be well served by extra helpings of hops. I find myself wanting more--more grit, more citrus especially.

Overall, a good beer, a nice way to end a good evening of drinking with friends.

Serving type: on-tap

12-02-2011 13:57:53 | More by Gehrig

kylehay2004

Florida

4.2/5  rDev +9.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Golden orange and murky. Quarter finger head.

S: Lots of grapefruit in the aroma.

T: the taste is complex similar to that of the 90 minute Dogfish head, but not quite as good. The pine notes are just enough and the hops are there, but i would like more.

M: Moderate carbonation and medium bodied.

Overall: I was pleasantly surprised by this one and plan on keeping an eye out for it in bottles so I may stock up.

Serving type: on-tap

09-14-2011 02:08:46 | More by kylehay2004

shleepy

California

4.2/5  rDev +9.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Had on tap at The Hop Yard in Pleasanton (Mad River brewery night this week, so there are several of their brews on tap).

A: golden (notably darker than Pliny), somewhat hazy and effervescent; medium white head with small bubbles and medium head retention

S: strong "green" hop smell, similar to West Coast IPA; I'm not a big fan of that flavor, but I know some people love it

T: none of that green hop flavor comes through; instead, it's a balanced and very fruity beer; lots of sweet citrus - more like tangerine than grapefruit; clean (maybe even a little sweet) finish with no hint of bitterness anywhere in there; for a strong beer, I'm actually not detecting a lot of maltiness or booziness

M: a creamy, smooth mouthfeel that's one of my favorite aspects of this beer; unusual for its style; medium body and carbonation

O: DIPA purists may not like the fact that this feels like a lighter, less bitter beer than others in the style; I love fruity, balanced IPA's, though, and this is about as fruity and balanced as they come without being Belgian; good stuff

Serving type: on-tap

07-18-2011 20:16:01 | More by shleepy

UpToMeBeer

Colorado

3.55/5  rDev -7.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Had this at Choice City Butcher in Fort Collins, CO.

A--Semi-cloudy, a nice golden-orange look with steady carbonation and a thin head. Moderate lacing.

S-- Citrusy, floral..slight pine,... array of bitter notes.

T-- Nice, but not as bitter as what I've come to like and expect from double-IPA's. More on the sweet side, with a hoppy edge. A pretty long finish with the lingering sense of carbonation. The carbonation curtails the fruitiness on the finish.

M-- Feels medium-bodied, not as heavy as the Double IPA's I prefer. Understated on the Alcohol which is nice and plays well with the sweetness (...also a nice departure from what seems to be the heavier alcohol feel of double-IPAs)

Overall, it's good. Not mind-blowing, but solid.

Serving type: on-tap

06-20-2011 22:29:59 | More by UpToMeBeer

alenonbeeradv

California

3.03/5  rDev -20.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

a - golden and yellow hues. minimal head no collar. little carbonation meets the eye.

s - mild fruit. citrus and bitter hops. slight sweet malts.

t - sweet and fruity then malty and bitter. pretty nice but not a very full flavor. pretty tame.

m - medium carbonation. clean finish. medium body.

o - its alright.

Serving type: on-tap

06-15-2011 06:30:21 | More by alenonbeeradv

velmalikevelvet

California

2.58/5  rDev -32.6%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

On tap in a legally-limited 12oz glass.

A: Straw is not the color I expect in a DIPA, but that's all you get here. Lack of head & lacing contributes to the less-than-average appearance of this brew.
S: What smell?
T: Bland & tart simultaneously; how did they do that? Absence of hop overtones was disappointing, & malty predominance was not my favorite either.
M: Somewhat clingy in the mouth, with a not-entirely pleasant aftertaste.
O: I did not care for this beer at all. Too bad, since it is made in my neighborhood & I'd like to be able to recommend it.

Serving type: on-tap

06-08-2011 23:25:34 | More by velmalikevelvet

Mebuzzard

Colorado

3.78/5  rDev -1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I had this at Vine Street Pub in Denver, next to a Hop Vivant. Given that I loooove Hop Vivant, this review tries to be impartial. here it goes...

Somewhat bright gold and tangerine. A bit of a haze, served very cold. Small head, a bit creamy. Looks nice

Aroma is sharp fruitiness--citrus, blood orange, maybe some casaba. A strong malt back bone. Sweet biscuit

yeah, it's sweeter than Hop Vivant. Malty; sweet bread biscuit, lightly toasted. Almost takes away from the citrus and very ripe melon. Mostly a clean taste, with the sweetness always around.
Fairly easy drinking, the 'zip' cannot quite get away from the malt.

Serving type: on-tap

05-01-2011 23:57:11 | More by Mebuzzard

emmasdad

Colorado

3.25/5  rDev -15.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

Tried this one last night on tap at the Rackhouse, while deciding which beer to drink. Poured a slightly hazy medium golden color with a decent white head. Nice aromas of fresh grapefruit, citrus and apricot. Medium bodied and drinkable, with flavors of caramel and grapefruit, with a lingering bitterness.

Serving type: on-tap

02-24-2011 03:29:57 | More by emmasdad

beersensei305

Florida

3.55/5  rDev -7.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

I had this brew on tap over at Old Chicago in Brandon, FL. The apperance of this IPA is among the best I've seen deep orange hazy body with a think creamy white head that lasted the enitre way to the bottom, awesome sticky lacing. There is not a huge defining scent just malt hops and some sweetness from honey or citrus. Creamy with bitter hops some grapefruit a litte piney. Overall, a good DBL IPA.

Serving type: on-tap

10-31-2010 04:35:47 | More by beersensei305

feloniousmonk

Minnesota

4.35/5  rDev +13.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Only a few kegs of this arrived in our market, and I'm doing my best to help deplete one of them.

Murky, hazy deep amber brew, almost orange, good, sizable, staying white head. Looks great.

Grapefruit, orange, and lemon in the aroma, with a mix of other fruit, as well...mango, tangerine...some prickly pine, below, ...great bitter notes throughout.

Taste: Ah! Bright, bitter hoppy fruit flavor, bursting all over the palate, pairing with vibrant piney notes, citrus tones. Pithy, and potent. Full feeling in the mouth, long finish, very comfortable. Nice, sweet, fruity/caramel malt feel.

Alcohol hardly felt until...hmmm, just a little. Not too much, and not too little. This is a well-done Double IPA, in that it delivers so much hoppy flavor, but keeps it all in line, all resting on a full mattress of malt. And the hops bounce off with terrific aplomb. Mmmm, mmm.

Sure to please any hop-head, this is one under the radar. If the brewery were more famous and respected, it'd be a bigger sensation, that's for sure.

It's a great big, wonderful hoppy brew that's bringing a smile to this hop-head's face. Mmmm, can't be beat!

Serving type: on-tap

09-14-2010 08:34:21 | More by feloniousmonk

djbreezy

Washington

3.98/5  rDev +3.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On-tap at Breakside Brewery in Portland, OR. Pint glass.

appearance - opaque amber body, drawn but sparse lacing, low head

smell - hops, pine, resin, malt

taste - strong malt backbone, bitter hops, citrus, pine, resin

mouthfeel - well carbonated, medium full body

drinkability - fairly tasty, the hop bite is nice

Serving type: on-tap

06-24-2010 21:47:22 | More by djbreezy

Beerandraiderfan

Nevada

3.98/5  rDev +3.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Not the biggest head or best lacing retention, but the color is to die for (orange)! Decent aroma, a little on the woody side, but still the hops play top billing. A little sweet aroma too.

Taste, big, big ol malt backbone. This is one of the rare instances where a CA DIPA actually does approach balance. Hops are there, but tempered with the aforementioned maltiness. Creates an easier, smoother beer. Burps become rewarding. Price used to be very reasonable, but the last couple of years, they approached the typical price range you see for a beer like this. Props for keepin it in a 6er and not raping us with 22oz prices!

Serving type: on-tap

05-25-2010 16:55:22 | More by Beerandraiderfan

bjoyce12

Massachusetts

3.45/5  rDev -9.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Bartender at Bukowski's in Boston recommended. One of their most popular IPA's. I can see why; full of hoppy flavor. Almost too much, with an over the top hoppiness. If you're in the mood for a pwerful double IPA this is a good pick. If you're not feeling like a hammer of hops and the ABV that backs it up, then I'd steer clear.

Serving type: on-tap

05-01-2009 21:03:20 | More by bjoyce12

GJ40

North Carolina

4.03/5  rDev +5.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Sampled on tap at Mill Town in Carrboro, NC.

A - Golden with good clarity and a thick creamy off white head.

S - Rich floral and fruity hops.

T - A rich, complex flavor with significant contributions of sweet malt, fruity hops and alcohol. Very nice balance.

M - Thick consistency with moderate carbonation.

D - Smooth and easy to drink for a stronger beer.

Serving type: on-tap

11-09-2008 20:52:37 | More by GJ40

Chinon01

Pennsylvania

4.13/5  rDev +7.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Appearance - Tea color with a thin head. Noticeable lacing.

Smell - Malt, namely fig, mango and some hop aroma.

Taste - Similar to smell with molassas, raisin along with a nice hop crunch in the finish. Finish is long but leaves no after-taste.

Mouthfeel and Drinkability - Again, both are very good due to long finish and virtually no after-taste.

Note: I found the malt seemed to go just a bit to far, but that's just me.

Serving type: on-tap

09-12-2008 21:03:46 | More by Chinon01

NEBeerWench

Massachusetts

4.47/5  rDev +16.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

I had this beer last night while sitting out on a deck, eating a piece of what has consistently been my favorite pizza since I was about 10 (the Chesapeake from Bottoms Up Pizza, of Richmond, VA). Call me stereotypical, but I honestly can't think of a better combination than a great IPA and pizza. Anyway, the Mad River Double IPA is one of the best: Unlike most double IPAs, which may have a tendency to be overwhelmingly hoppy or alcoholic in taste, the Mad River Double IPA was smooth and refreshing. Unlike many doubles, it seemed to focus on the overall, well-rounded taste of the beer, versus the hops factor or alcohol content. At first it was a bit bitter, but this soon gave way to a rich, warm taste that covered my tongue. It had a moderately clear appearance, a little on the dark side, with a small head that disappeared almost immediately.

Overall, I'd say that this is one of the better double IPAs that I've had. I'd definitely recommend it. I'd be interested to taste this from a bottle, to see if it holds up to its quality on-tap.

Serving type: on-tap

06-16-2008 03:40:54 | More by NEBeerWench

DefenCorps

Oregon

3.95/5  rDev +3.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Had on tap at The Big Hunt in DC

A: Hazy copper orange with an off white head.

S: Pine and citrus, leaning heavily on the orange side of things. Sweet.

T: Orange up front followed by pine. Hint of sweet malt. Dry finish with a bitter-sweet aftertaste - kind of like a good orange

M: A tad undercarbonated otherwise good. Pleasant finish

D: I'd drink more.

Serving type: on-tap

04-23-2008 02:27:57 | More by DefenCorps

soupyman10

District of Columbia

4.1/5  rDev +7%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Pours a nice amber-brown color with an incredibly thick, Guinness-esque head that leaves amazing lacing the whole way down. Looks, basically, perfect. Nose is surprisingly sweet, with lots of different caramel and toffee. Taste is similar: a nice mix of toffee, cookies, some light chocolate, and then nice citrusy hops that mix in there. Surprisingly well-balanced and mild for a DIPA. Definitely a nice taste, although maybe not as out-of-control as a lot of DIPAs. Feel is thick and creamy; not syrupy like some DIPAs. Overall, a very nice beer, although not "extreme" like some DIPAs.

Serving type: on-tap

04-20-2008 04:50:36 | More by soupyman10

dill

California

3.98/5  rDev +3.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

served on draught in a pint glass.

A - looks great in a cloudy golden color with a one finger white head.

S - lots of citrus, grapefruit including the peel.

T - earthy tones before the hops kick in and linger. lots of bitterness hangs around the mouth.

M - medium carbonation. a bit of a bite to it. not bad.

D - the bitterness may become overwhelming for a session, but this is a nice beer to drink. i enjoyed it.

Serving type: on-tap

04-15-2008 20:23:04 | More by dill

BoitSansSoif

France

4.03/5  rDev +5.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A-Poured a cloudy red-honey amber. Decent head and nice lacing.
S-Hops w/light spice, honey, grapefruit, floral notes.
T-Grapefruit and nectarine, hops, spice, and honey on freshly-toasted country bread. The finish is full of citrus, light spice, tasty hops, and something that makes me think of rye, but I'm not for sure.
M-Very good. Slightly sweet w/great body and perfectly moderated carbonation.
D-Very nice dry-sweet harmony. I really enjoyed this one.

Serving type: on-tap

03-19-2008 05:43:22 | More by BoitSansSoif

jwolfie70

California

3.75/5  rDev -2.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Tasted at the Bistro DIPA fest. Poured a standard reddish copper color, with a thick white head. The head stuck around in the glass even after the sample was gone. Aroma was muted for the style, but was still heavy on the hops. The taste was standard for a DIPA, and was not out of whack in either direction (i.e. too much hops, or too sweet). A good DIPA, but not necessary worth searching for.

Serving type: on-tap

02-12-2008 19:18:06 | More by jwolfie70

tonistruth

Nevada

3.25/5  rDev -15.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

on tap @ Stone Brewing Company Bistro in Escondido, CA

A- auburn with orange hues, 1 finger of silky foam, good retention, filmy lace

S- citric and floral hops, malt sweetness

T- citrus, pine, and leafy hops, toasted caramel malts, somewhat balanced

M- coarse and sticky medium body

D- pretty solid double IPA until it warms up a bit, then its not very inviting to drink

Serving type: on-tap

01-28-2008 02:21:57 | More by tonistruth