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Mad River Brewing

(Microbrewery)

Last updated: June 27, 1997

195 Taylor Way
PO Box 767
Blue Lake CA 95525

Phone: +1 707-668-4151
Fax: +1 707-668-4297

Opened December 14, 1990.
Brewer: Bryan Bonnahan.
15,000 bbl annual capacity.

Jamaica Red is this microbrewery's flagship brand...lots of people rave about it, but it's not one of my favorites.

My Opinion Of The Beers That I've Tried:
13.0 points overall

• Jamaica Red (bottled)
  Style 6 - American-style Pale Ale
  • 11 points - Beer #18-1407, Kamuela Liquor Store, Kamuela HI, April 29, 1996
    WAY too much head. Red-opaque. Caramel and sharp hop aroma. Thick, bitter. Very low carbonation...maybe it all came out in the head. At least it's not sour like it used to be. "CA CASH RFEUND"...gesundheit!

• Jamaica Red
  Style 6 - American-style Pale Ale
  • 12 points - Beer #11-750, The HopYard, Pleasanton CA, February 2, 1995
    Looks like red mud. No head. Caramel and chocolate aromas. Bitter. Herbal. OK body, but unbalanced. Fairly flat.

  • 15 points - Beer #10-714, Pacific Coast Brewing, Oakland CA, January 15, 1995
    Red opaque. Red head. Hop aroma, some caramel. Thick. Chewy with fair bitterness...but not quite balanced. This is almost a Real Good Beer.

  • 12.5 points - Beer #6-314, Pacific Coast Brewing, Oakland CA, April 25, 1994
    Dark red. Opaque. Thick off-white head. Very spicy nose. Thick, malty, but flavors are understated. Spicy bitterness really comes on in finish. Somewhat cloying.

• John Barleycorn Barleywine
  Style 1 - Barley Wine
  • 13.5 points - Beer #9-657, Pacific Coast Brewing, Oakland CA, December 18, 1994
    Nice amber. No head, as expected. Caramel nose, some alcohol late. Bitter and strong...but not very interesting.

• Steelhead Extra Pale Ale (bottled)
  Style 6 - American-style Pale Ale
  • 12 points - Beer #18-1402, Kamuela Liquor Store, Kamuela HI, April 28, 1996
    Golden, moderate carbonation, enormous head. Slightly fruity aroma. Good body. Tastes kinda rubbery...or something. Could be a Real Good Beer.

• Steelhead Extra Stout (bottled)
  Style 11 - Stout
  • 14.5 points - Beer #22-1894, Kamuela Liquor Store, Kamuela HI, November 30, 1996
    Very black, short-lived brown head. Black, hoppy aroma. Black, burnt, bitter. Pretty good body. Bitter roasty finish.

• Steelhead Extra Stout
  Style 11 - Stout
  • 12.5 points - Beer #1-69, St.Mary's College Beer Festival, Moraga CA, June 13, 1993
    Very black, brown head. Burnt aroma, slightly sour. Very sharp taste. Very astringent...puckers you right up. Very astringent.

• Steelhead Pale Ale
  Style 6 - American-style Pale Ale
  • 14 points - Beer #11-781, The HopYard, Pleasanton CA, February 18, 1995
    Yellow, some haze, good head. Some hop aroma, not assertive. Nice body and flavors. Balanced a little sweet. Finishes clean.

  • 11 points - Beer #1-68, St.Mary's College Beer Festival, Moraga CA, June 13, 1993
    Very cloudy yellow. Oregon dry-hopped. Flavorless, mostly. A little sweetness to start and a very quick bitter finish. "Unremarkable" describes it best.

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