Mad River Brewing Company Steelhead Extra Stout
What the brewers say
Mad River Steelhead Extra Stout is a black opaque sweet stout with a rich creamy roasted chocolate malt character and a very mild hops complement. A smooth and pleasing dessert beer.
What our panel thought
Aroma: “Earthy, with underlying raisin and coffee notes. Nice roasty malt character. Complex chocolate, coffee, roast amalgam has a s’more-like character with some sweet maltiness emerging as it warms.”
Flavor: “Initial sweetness, followed quickly by sharp roast and chocolate flavors that emerge nicely as it warms. Moderate hops bitterness and moderate astringency in the finish. Hops bitterness is mild with hints of citrus but carries through in the finish with a slight sweetness. Some subtle esters and spice as it warms, which works well with the underlying complex roasted malt character.”
Overall: “The bitterness from the roast and coffee goes nicely with the sweetness in the beer, and hops offer nice complexity. A very round and balanced stout that deserves a place by the fire.”
