Mad Belgian
Mad River Brewing Company

Mad BelgianMad Belgian
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From:
Mad River Brewing Company
 
California, United States
Style:
Belgian Pale Ale
Ranked #196
ABV:
6.5%
Score:
79
Ranked #37,268
Avg:
3.41 | pDev: 13.2%
Ratings:
65 | reviews: 47
Status:
Active
Rated:
Mar 18, 2023
Added:
Aug 09, 2009
Wants:
  0
Gots:
  0
No description / notes.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
 
Rated: 3.88 by rpmello81 from California

Mar 18, 2023
Photo of pat61
Reviewed by pat61 from Minnesota

3.85/5  rDev +12.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.25
L: Deep amber with a 3 finger off-white head.
S: Citrus, caramel malt, over ripe fruit.
T: Fruit, slightly sweet, light caramel, citrus.
F: Medium body and above average carbonation, creamy.
O: The malt and hops are a little off for a Belgian. It lacks the malt and yeast complexity of a Belgian Style Golden Ale.
Jun 06, 2015
 
Rated: 3.5 by zestar from California

Aug 08, 2014
 
Rated: 3.25 by JoelClark from Idaho

Aug 03, 2014
 
Rated: 3.5 by paulish from New York

Jun 30, 2014
Photo of mhaugo
Reviewed by mhaugo from California

2.74/5  rDev -19.6%
look: 2.25 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2.75
12 ounce bottle decanted into an oversized snifter. 6.6% ABV.
Appearance: Muddy bronze with a thin beige head. There is a significant load of chunks slowly falling to the bottom of the glass (2.25/5).
Aroma: Toasted malt and baked apples. Oxidation. More oxidation as the beer warms up (2.5/5).
Taste: Oxidized here too. This beer was obviously stored in suboptimal conditions. There is no indication on the label how old it is, so I guess I’m left guessing. Behind the oxidation there is a sweet, malty base, a touch of cider, and a hint of orange pith. There is a very mild bitterness too, but I’m not sure it comes from hops. It almost tastes like a byproduct of the yeast (or even the yeast itself) (2.75/5).
Mouthfeel: Medium body, medium carbonation (3.5/5).
Overall: I guess there was a decent beer in here before time sucked away its soul, but sadly that day was well before this one. I’m not sure if I would actively seek out a replacement, but I might pick up a pint if I saw it on draft somewhere (2.75/5).
Nov 28, 2013
 
Rated: 3.5 by Tyrolaspenleaf from Indiana

Oct 07, 2013
 
Rated: 3.5 by ssimpson89 from Illinois

Feb 09, 2013
 
Rated: 3 by RedneckBeerz from Massachusetts

Jan 23, 2013
 
Rated: 2.75 by impending from California

Jan 12, 2013
Photo of DrDemento456
Reviewed by DrDemento456 from Pennsylvania

3.22/5  rDev -5.6%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3
A - Looks more like an old ale than a Belgium pale. Hazy copper in color with an Ok 1/4 inch of head that forms a pretty sticky lace ring.

S - Again musky like an old ale with a kind of oak sweet malt smell. Smells kind of like an old DIPA with aged hops and malts.

T - Well it's far from terrible but the taste is sweet kind of medical herbal hop taste, which is faded next to some Belgium candied sugars and a touch of fruity yeasts.

M - Medium and kind of chewy on par for the style.

Overall I am not sure what is going on with this brew. With no sediment in the glass I am convinced it was suppose to look and taste like a Belgium Old ale. That could be the excuse for such a low score since its suppose to be a Belgium pale ale...
Dec 20, 2012
 
Rated: 4.25 by apf from Utah

Dec 01, 2012
 
Rated: 4 by t0rin0 from California

Oct 23, 2012
 
Rated: 4 by creez from California

Sep 12, 2012
 
Rated: 3.5 by Nage37 from California

Aug 17, 2012
 
Rated: 4.25 by GTB from North Carolina

Jul 30, 2012
 
Rated: 3 by Arherring from Indiana

Mar 21, 2012
 
Rated: 3.25 by shelby415 from Oregon

Feb 26, 2012
Photo of StonedTrippin
Reviewed by StonedTrippin from Colorado

3.4/5  rDev -0.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3
mad river is not getting me stoked so far. this one pours a rich golden color with a reasonable white head. smells like white grapefruit, brown sugar, and belgian yeast. flavors are all mellow, but there is some hops here, which is nice for a "belgian style golden ale". unconventional but just not that good. mouthfeel is alright, good carbonation and tartish finish. cant say its my favorite, but its drinkable. eh
Jan 28, 2012
Photo of elNopalero
Reviewed by elNopalero from Michigan

3.75/5  rDev +10%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
Poured a golden straw color. Nice, estery aroma. Light, fruity flavor comes through. Some sharpness on the palate focuses the flavors into a dry finish. This is a lighter Belgian style beer that opens up more as it warms. Looking forward to another bottle.
Dec 07, 2011