Mad River Steelhead Extra Stout

The pour yields a rich black body and a densely topped tan head. Subtle, stale maltiness elevating aromatics of peanut butter, roast and a slight hint of chocolate, but overall it mostly resembles rich mocha in the nose. Flavor is ofcourse malt accented, but it leans toward a mild astringency in the finish, and this is a very fresh bottle. I don’t like the finishing hop either. As it begins to warm though, a rich and creamy roasted chocolate malt character does indeed start to shine through. Overall, an above average stout, although I do prefer the Brewer’s Scotch Porter, which I think is an excellent beer.

Very dark with a big beige head. Rich aromas of coffee and roasted malts. Dense flavors are rich but not overwhelming. Full, smooth finish. Lots of depth and body make this one really good.

Pours an inky BLACK (no light shines through) with a quickly fading light brown head. Complex aroma of roasted malt, cherries, vanilla, rum/raisin and some sourness. Taste has notes of roasted malt, chocolate, cherries, dark fruits and wine plus some tartness and lactic sourness which I don’t normally like but it works here. Moderately sweet, roasty finish. Medium body with creamy texture and moderate carbonation. Solid stuff.

Black oily pour with very little head. Chocolaty and roasty with a dry finish. Oily silky mouthfeel. Veryeasy to drink. Nice.

Black body with a small head. Nice aroma of raisins, cherries and vanilla. Has hints of oxidation. Very open, chocolate malt flavor. Little hop character. This sample likely spent considerable time on the shelf, but aged suprisingly well. Thanks Craig!

a very roasted stout. Somewhat like a small imperial. Huge jet black malt body. Almost burnt cocoa and espresso flavors, with some extreme bittersweet chocolate. Overripe berries and toffee come in at the back. Almost bordering on malt astringent, extremely attenuated. Very lingering chalky roasted finish.

looks like a stout, but it starts with a sourness in the aroma. There is roastness, even a tad burnt, some chocolate, but oh the sourness. Stiff upper lip to finish this one. It was a bit better at room temperature, and I am a lenient rater on stouts, it even refreshed, but the..sourness.

Black color with a thin head. Bitter coffee aroma. Oddly enough, the taste fits the name: it tastes a little like steel. Not much malt or anything else.