AleDude (16), USA
Apr 13, 2008 April 11, 2008
Strong hop flavor and a clear amber colored pour, with a creamy head. The hops are strong, but it has a smooth and long-lasting finish.
cmconrad99 (4), Lorain, Ohio, USA
does not count  Apr 11, 2008 By far my favorite Beer by the Mad Brewer.
Like most craft beers some batches are better than others, and this last batch reminded me of my first Hop Fusion which was excellent. The batch before this one lacked something.
Anyways, great Hoppy flavor, well rounded citrus. Not too bitter. Yet flavorful.
Look forward to the next batch.
 Ughsmash (2600), Waukesha, Wisconsin, USA
Jan 30, 2008 Bottle thanks to Nathan! Poured clear medium orange with a healthy cap of sticky off-white head. The aroma was enjoyable at a distance, but sour and unbalanced up close.. light fruit skins took over and pushed juicy grapefruit and caramel into the background. Sour apple skins and lactic notes give the first and most prominent impression on the palate, with sweet grapefruit and buttered toffee at the base.. bitter pine and grapefruit fight with the sourness on the edges.. good elements in there, but it doesn’t appear to have held up very well. Medium-bodied and too sour on the palate.. nice higher level of bitterness. OK, but I’d love to try a fresh bottle.
kujo9 (1037), North Ridgeville, Ohio, USA
Jan 9, 2008 On tap @ the Brew Keeper: Medium brownish amber body w/a lasting off white head. Aromas of citrusy and piney hops at first, then toasted malt and caramel to balance, though decidedly hoppy! A touch of diacetyl, but not overwhelming. No fruitiness other than the hops, and also a touch grassy/resiny. The taste is hop dominant, but not one dimensional. Nicely balanced by toasty and caramel malt while keeping it’s hop presence. Again, slight diacetyl in the flavor, and clean of esters. Piney and citrusy hops flavors throughout w/ a medium dry finish and hop flavored pleasantly bitter aftertaste. Medium carbonation, lighter medium body; creamy. Nicely made beer, with the exception of the diacetyl, but admittedly, I’m hyper sensitive to it, so it could just be me! Nice malt/hop balance and overall flavors. Goes very well with their spicy chicken wings!
Brigadier (786), Chagrin Falls, Ohio, USA
Jan 5, 2008 12 oz bottle
I finally finished up my last bottle of this. It seems to have improved; I was more impressed with this final one than the two preceding. This is a case where increased exposure meant more enjoyment. If you run across this buy two or three to give it a fair chance.
Aroma / Appearance - A huge billowing head surged to the top of my pint glass. Underneath was a mahagony hued body with moderate carbonation. It was a very appealing looking IPA. Pine, resin and freshly cut Christmas trees form an aggressive nose for an IPA from between the coasts.
Flavor / Palate - The first sip clings to the tongue coating it in a balance of malts and hops. The aftertaste reminds me of licking a freshly varnished baseball bat. The bitterness is strong but not overwhelming with a nice creamy finish. Of the three releases I have tried from Mad Brewer this is the best.
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