Mad Bishop
DuClaw Brewing Company
Beer Geek Stats
| Print Shelf Talker
- Style:
- Lager - Märzen / Oktoberfest
Ranked #537 - ABV:
- 6%
- Score:
- 79
Ranked #47,387 - Avg:
- 3.48 | pDev: 14.37%
- Reviews:
- 77
- Ratings:
- From:
- DuClaw Brewing Company
- Maryland, United States
- Avail:
- Rotating/Seasonal
- Wants
- 6
- Gots
- 60
SCORE
79
Okay
79
Okay
Notes:
Mad Bishop, one of our most popular and enduring seasonal brews, has been haunting the congregation with its distinct copper color, and rich toasted malt flavor and aroma since it was first brewed in 1996. This true 6% ABV German-style Oktoberfest combines complex aromas and flavors of sweet and toasted malt, a smooth mouthfeel created by an 8 week lagering process, and a clean, crisp finish.
Reviews: 77
| Ratings: 295
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Reviews by jjamadorphd:
jjamadorphd from Florida
3.82/5 rDev +9.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Another great offering from DuClaw...
One of those brewers that I know rarely, if ever, disappoints, and wit this Oktoberfest offering they do not. Beautifully dark copper colored beer with frothy head and a tad bit of lacing, the smell was about the only thing I really didn't like. It's smell was very much subdued but I did note some cinnamon and a tad of sweetness. Anyway, this didn't necessarily translate to the taste, but it was a joy to drink. A full-bodied beer, though well carbonated, made for a very good experience and for an Oktoberfest I will keep an eye on moving forward.
Nov 12, 2020
3.82/5 rDev +9.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Another great offering from DuClaw...
One of those brewers that I know rarely, if ever, disappoints, and wit this Oktoberfest offering they do not. Beautifully dark copper colored beer with frothy head and a tad bit of lacing, the smell was about the only thing I really didn't like. It's smell was very much subdued but I did note some cinnamon and a tad of sweetness. Anyway, this didn't necessarily translate to the taste, but it was a joy to drink. A full-bodied beer, though well carbonated, made for a very good experience and for an Oktoberfest I will keep an eye on moving forward.
Nov 12, 2020
More User Reviews:
TopherBreski from New Jersey
4.06/5 rDev +16.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
I absolutely do not understand the ratings on this beer. I buy every Oktoberfest/Marzen I can every year; I bought three different ones today and this is one of the best Anerican Marzen's I've had. Looks great, smells great, my only critique may be that it's a little too carbonated. Wow is this a good beer.
Aug 21, 2015
4.06/5 rDev +16.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
I absolutely do not understand the ratings on this beer. I buy every Oktoberfest/Marzen I can every year; I bought three different ones today and this is one of the best Anerican Marzen's I've had. Looks great, smells great, my only critique may be that it's a little too carbonated. Wow is this a good beer.
Aug 21, 2015
PretzelCity from California
3.65/5 rDev +4.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Jan 24, 2015
3.65/5 rDev +4.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Jan 24, 2015
hdofu from Maryland
4.05/5 rDev +16.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
A reddish orange, with a thin white head. Sweet and spicy, taste and malt. This ones not too complicated which is not a bad thing all the time. This one simply tastes good has a medium body and fairly good drinkability. It goes excellent with a ultimate grilled cheese sandwich.
Oct 21, 2008
4.05/5 rDev +16.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
A reddish orange, with a thin white head. Sweet and spicy, taste and malt. This ones not too complicated which is not a bad thing all the time. This one simply tastes good has a medium body and fairly good drinkability. It goes excellent with a ultimate grilled cheese sandwich.
Oct 21, 2008
crazyspicychef from Pennsylvania
3.41/5 rDev -2%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
Poured from can into Selins Grove Tulip.
Overall, not bad.
A bit of a metallic taste in the early finish, as with most DuClaw.
Head disappears immediately. A touch too dry finishing for the style.
Nothing in the end leaving me wanting more.
The metal and hops throw it off.
Not horrible, but there are many better American Märzen styles out there.
Will not seek out next year.
Oct 11, 2019
3.41/5 rDev -2%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
Poured from can into Selins Grove Tulip.
Overall, not bad.
A bit of a metallic taste in the early finish, as with most DuClaw.
Head disappears immediately. A touch too dry finishing for the style.
Nothing in the end leaving me wanting more.
The metal and hops throw it off.
Not horrible, but there are many better American Märzen styles out there.
Will not seek out next year.
Oct 11, 2019
chinchill from South Carolina
3.61/5 rDev +3.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
12 oz bottle into a lager glass. ABV listed as 6%.
Clear deep copper-colored body with a good tan head that leaves a coat of lacing on the glass with each tip.
This is a bitter-sweet, malt dominated . Very tasty with well hidden alcohol. Enough hops to equalize the bitter/sweet balance and impact some spicy hop notes. Mildly bitter finish. A bit bock-like.
Medium body with medium carbonation.
Sep 13, 2016
3.61/5 rDev +3.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
12 oz bottle into a lager glass. ABV listed as 6%.
Clear deep copper-colored body with a good tan head that leaves a coat of lacing on the glass with each tip.
This is a bitter-sweet, malt dominated . Very tasty with well hidden alcohol. Enough hops to equalize the bitter/sweet balance and impact some spicy hop notes. Mildly bitter finish. A bit bock-like.
Medium body with medium carbonation.
Sep 13, 2016
Smakawhat from Maryland
3.08/5 rDev -11.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3
Poured from the bottle into a pilsner style glass.
Pale bronze body, quite clear with lots of orange color and hues to it. Very little rising carbonation, and hardly a finger of light tan is made off the pour. Manages to leave a ring like thin collar while drinking.
Faint light sticky like toffee malts, but a very wet grainy smell. A bit muted and closed.
Palate comes with a bit of prickly carbonation. Bock like malts but a little more thin and coffee sensing finish a little. Grainy sticky quality and an almost chalky finish with lots of dry character almost nutty tannic in a sense. Mild caramel and slightly wet.
Overall a passable marzen but one that I am probably not going to be in the mood to want to have again given other choices.
Oct 13, 2013
3.08/5 rDev -11.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3
Poured from the bottle into a pilsner style glass.
Pale bronze body, quite clear with lots of orange color and hues to it. Very little rising carbonation, and hardly a finger of light tan is made off the pour. Manages to leave a ring like thin collar while drinking.
Faint light sticky like toffee malts, but a very wet grainy smell. A bit muted and closed.
Palate comes with a bit of prickly carbonation. Bock like malts but a little more thin and coffee sensing finish a little. Grainy sticky quality and an almost chalky finish with lots of dry character almost nutty tannic in a sense. Mild caramel and slightly wet.
Overall a passable marzen but one that I am probably not going to be in the mood to want to have again given other choices.
Oct 13, 2013
generallee from Virginia
4.44/5 rDev +27.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
Dec 29, 2016
4.44/5 rDev +27.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
Dec 29, 2016
billab914 from Virginia
3.68/5 rDev +5.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
12oz bottle into my Dogfish glass. it poured a crystal clear dark amber color that turned almost red in the light. It had a thin and fizzy head to it. I loved the color.
The aroma shows a lot of toasty and grainy malts to it. A decent amount of malty, caramel sweetness comes out in it as well. It's a lot like freshly mashed or spent grains.
The taste also has a mix of toasted, grainy malts and sweeter, caramel notes to it. In the finish I get some balancing bitterness coming through. The grainy, toasted malts are a little strong and overpowering in it, but I kind of like it.
The mouthfeel is medium bodied with carbonation being moderate. Overall I enjoyed it a lot. It had a huge grainy, toasty profile that smelled and tasted like freshly mashed grains. It wasn't outstanding in the style, but it was pretty good and had some uniqueness to it as well that I really liked.
Nov 11, 2011
3.68/5 rDev +5.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
12oz bottle into my Dogfish glass. it poured a crystal clear dark amber color that turned almost red in the light. It had a thin and fizzy head to it. I loved the color.
The aroma shows a lot of toasty and grainy malts to it. A decent amount of malty, caramel sweetness comes out in it as well. It's a lot like freshly mashed or spent grains.
The taste also has a mix of toasted, grainy malts and sweeter, caramel notes to it. In the finish I get some balancing bitterness coming through. The grainy, toasted malts are a little strong and overpowering in it, but I kind of like it.
The mouthfeel is medium bodied with carbonation being moderate. Overall I enjoyed it a lot. It had a huge grainy, toasty profile that smelled and tasted like freshly mashed grains. It wasn't outstanding in the style, but it was pretty good and had some uniqueness to it as well that I really liked.
Nov 11, 2011
tigg924 from Massachusetts
3.75/5 rDev +7.8%
Rich toasted malt and caramel tasting. Very smooth beer that hits all of the right notes and is way above average. I could do several if I was in a marzen type of mood.
Oct 20, 2014
3.75/5 rDev +7.8%
Rich toasted malt and caramel tasting. Very smooth beer that hits all of the right notes and is way above average. I could do several if I was in a marzen type of mood.
Oct 20, 2014
brokensail from California
2.61/5 rDev -25%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 2 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2.5
Thanks for sharing this, Bobby.
A: The beer pours a clear light amber color with a finger of off-white head.
S: Slightly metallic on the aroma and overall very bland. A light nuttiness as well as a bit of stale bread and toffee. Really not very pleasant.
T: The flavor has sort of a spoiled nut flavor to it. A little bit of garbage in there too. Some toffee and bready malt flavor, a little bit of yeast, and some apple esters.
M: Medium bodied with low to medium carbonation.
O: Not what I was expecting from an Oktoberfest.
Oct 08, 2011
2.61/5 rDev -25%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 2 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2.5
Thanks for sharing this, Bobby.
A: The beer pours a clear light amber color with a finger of off-white head.
S: Slightly metallic on the aroma and overall very bland. A light nuttiness as well as a bit of stale bread and toffee. Really not very pleasant.
T: The flavor has sort of a spoiled nut flavor to it. A little bit of garbage in there too. Some toffee and bready malt flavor, a little bit of yeast, and some apple esters.
M: Medium bodied with low to medium carbonation.
O: Not what I was expecting from an Oktoberfest.
Oct 08, 2011
Thesoundandthefury from Washington
2.84/5 rDev -18.4%
look: 3 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 2.75
Meh, Nothing to write home about. Usually a fan of most duclaw beers, but this one misses the mark.
Poured from a bottle into a SN glass. It has a copper caramel color with almost no head which dissipates very quickly.
Smells of sweet grain, almost reminds me of a BMC with a slight corn smell.
Unfortunately, the flavor follows the nose. There is a sweet corn adjunct flavor that carries all the way through the beer. There is a hint of sweet caramel on the back end, but overall that cheap adjunct flavor really dominates the beer.
Mouthfeel was a bit overcarbonated.
Overall, not impressed.
Sep 13, 2013
2.84/5 rDev -18.4%
look: 3 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 2.75
Meh, Nothing to write home about. Usually a fan of most duclaw beers, but this one misses the mark.
Poured from a bottle into a SN glass. It has a copper caramel color with almost no head which dissipates very quickly.
Smells of sweet grain, almost reminds me of a BMC with a slight corn smell.
Unfortunately, the flavor follows the nose. There is a sweet corn adjunct flavor that carries all the way through the beer. There is a hint of sweet caramel on the back end, but overall that cheap adjunct flavor really dominates the beer.
Mouthfeel was a bit overcarbonated.
Overall, not impressed.
Sep 13, 2013
ckollias from Maryland
2.8/5 rDev -19.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
Enjoyed this 12oz bottle out of a large snifter glass.
A: Pours a deep orange-mahogany color with a very thin white head that dissipates almost immediately.
S: Musty malty aroma that is a little sweet on the nose.
T: A mild sweet brew with musty malt flavor similar to the aroma. Finished slightly on the dry side.
M: Medium body and medium carbonation.
O: Just an ok brew. Nothing special.
Sep 02, 2012
2.8/5 rDev -19.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
Enjoyed this 12oz bottle out of a large snifter glass.
A: Pours a deep orange-mahogany color with a very thin white head that dissipates almost immediately.
S: Musty malty aroma that is a little sweet on the nose.
T: A mild sweet brew with musty malt flavor similar to the aroma. Finished slightly on the dry side.
M: Medium body and medium carbonation.
O: Just an ok brew. Nothing special.
Sep 02, 2012
cyclonece09 from Wisconsin
3.35/5 rDev -3.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Poured into a pint glass. Pours reddish orange with a large fluffy white head. Smells of caramel and dark grain, very slight candy sweetness. Tastes blander than the smell, with watery dark roasted grain. Beer is light bodied, good carbonation, easy drinking. Overall, a slightly above average beer.
Nov 18, 2015
3.35/5 rDev -3.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Poured into a pint glass. Pours reddish orange with a large fluffy white head. Smells of caramel and dark grain, very slight candy sweetness. Tastes blander than the smell, with watery dark roasted grain. Beer is light bodied, good carbonation, easy drinking. Overall, a slightly above average beer.
Nov 18, 2015
nicholas2121 from Ohio
4.37/5 rDev +25.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Mad Bishop brewed by DuClaw Brewing Company, with an ABV of 5.80% This brew pours out a nice light brown color with a nice off white head. I really like the copper look to this brew. The smell of Mad Bishop is rich with roasted grians and malts. You also pick up on some nice mild hops in the smell of this brew. Between the the look and the smell of this brew it is really inviting. Now for the taste , it is bold with roasted flavors. You pick up on some nice earthly notes in the taste as well. There is a nice amount of roasted grians and malts in the taste of this brew. There is a nice hoppy smoothness to the taste of this brew. Mad Bishop, has a lot going on in it. I can't get over how smooth this brew is, according to the bottle this brew has an ABV of 6.00% It is really hard to pick up on the higher ABV in this brew. The mouth feel of Mad Bishop, Bold Roasted, Clean, Smooth, and Refreshing. Mad Bishop has a super nice balance it it, there is nothing overpowering about this brew. If you are looking for flavor, and smoothness this is it. This is a fine drinking brew. Overall I am giving Mad Bishop a 4.5 out of 5. I would buy this brew again. DuClaw Brewing Company, did a real nice job with this brew.
Sep 20, 2016
4.37/5 rDev +25.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Mad Bishop brewed by DuClaw Brewing Company, with an ABV of 5.80% This brew pours out a nice light brown color with a nice off white head. I really like the copper look to this brew. The smell of Mad Bishop is rich with roasted grians and malts. You also pick up on some nice mild hops in the smell of this brew. Between the the look and the smell of this brew it is really inviting. Now for the taste , it is bold with roasted flavors. You pick up on some nice earthly notes in the taste as well. There is a nice amount of roasted grians and malts in the taste of this brew. There is a nice hoppy smoothness to the taste of this brew. Mad Bishop, has a lot going on in it. I can't get over how smooth this brew is, according to the bottle this brew has an ABV of 6.00% It is really hard to pick up on the higher ABV in this brew. The mouth feel of Mad Bishop, Bold Roasted, Clean, Smooth, and Refreshing. Mad Bishop has a super nice balance it it, there is nothing overpowering about this brew. If you are looking for flavor, and smoothness this is it. This is a fine drinking brew. Overall I am giving Mad Bishop a 4.5 out of 5. I would buy this brew again. DuClaw Brewing Company, did a real nice job with this brew.
Sep 20, 2016
portia99 from Massachusetts
3.7/5 rDev +6.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
12oz bottle poured into a Brooklyn snifter.
A - Pours a very clear, bright amber color. Three thick fingers of foamy head rests on top of the beer...decent staying power, falls over a minute or two to the surface leaving behind wisps of soapy lacing on the glass.
S - Quite fruity, almost fruit punch-like. Light grassy hops, sugary sweetness, touch of grain, low level bready aromas and light caramel.
T - Malty sweet with some biscuity aspects, quite bready, a bit of toasted malts, clean hop bitterness.
M - Rather high carbonation for the sytle...gives a foamy feel. Body is medium. Nicely balanced between malt and hops...malt just winning out by a little bit.
O - A very bready oktoberfest...well developed malt profile with decent complexity - bread, toasted malts, maltose sweet, biscuity - quite nice. Pretty good American example of the style.
Nov 19, 2011
3.7/5 rDev +6.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
12oz bottle poured into a Brooklyn snifter.
A - Pours a very clear, bright amber color. Three thick fingers of foamy head rests on top of the beer...decent staying power, falls over a minute or two to the surface leaving behind wisps of soapy lacing on the glass.
S - Quite fruity, almost fruit punch-like. Light grassy hops, sugary sweetness, touch of grain, low level bready aromas and light caramel.
T - Malty sweet with some biscuity aspects, quite bready, a bit of toasted malts, clean hop bitterness.
M - Rather high carbonation for the sytle...gives a foamy feel. Body is medium. Nicely balanced between malt and hops...malt just winning out by a little bit.
O - A very bready oktoberfest...well developed malt profile with decent complexity - bread, toasted malts, maltose sweet, biscuity - quite nice. Pretty good American example of the style.
Nov 19, 2011
Billolick from New York
4.01/5 rDev +15.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
12 oz can....canned "8/6/19"
Pours near clear dark honey amber, and supports a lasting light khaki cap. Leaves a thick low and ringed collar and some low sheeting.
Honey and some sweet malts on the nose.
Flavorful Oktoberfest with notes of honey, vanilla, sweet malts, smooth maple goodness....quality O'Fest,,,,go get some
Nov 12, 2019
4.01/5 rDev +15.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
12 oz can....canned "8/6/19"
Pours near clear dark honey amber, and supports a lasting light khaki cap. Leaves a thick low and ringed collar and some low sheeting.
Honey and some sweet malts on the nose.
Flavorful Oktoberfest with notes of honey, vanilla, sweet malts, smooth maple goodness....quality O'Fest,,,,go get some
Nov 12, 2019
Mad Bishop from DuClaw Brewing Company
Beer rating:
79 out of
100 with
295 ratings
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