Red Ales

NEW LAUNCH: Mad River Brewing!

It seems like California brewers are taking Georgia by storm.   21st Amendment just arrived from San Francisco, and now Mad River Brewing from Blue Lake, California.

Mad River Brewing started the same way that a lot of craft breweries begin Continue Reading →

SEASONAL RETURN: Lagunitas Lucky 13

Lagunitas Brewing’s 13th anniversary was a big hit when it was first brewed.  Now it is brewed once a year in June.  Lucky 13 is a red ale, with a big hop palette.

Ingredients –

Hops – Amarillo

Malts – Dark malts, Marris Continue Reading →

Posted in Mad River Brewing, New Launches

NEW LAUNCH: Mad River Brewing!

It seems like California brewers are taking Georgia by storm.   21st Amendment just arrived from San Francisco, and now Mad River Brewing from Blue Lake, California.

Mad River Brewing started the same way that a lot of craft breweries begin – with a dream.  Granted you hear that a good bit these days but it takes someone actually making that dream a reality that brings us new beers.  Brew master Bob Smith took that dream and ran with it.  It was 1977 when Bob joined the “Humbrewers Guild” a home brewing group in California.  Trips to a home brew shop in Chico, California found Bob Smith crossing paths with owner Ken Grossman who later founded Sierra Nevada Brewing Company.  After seeing Ken’s success, Bob was determined to follow suit.

Knowing Ken Grossman proved to be most important in founding Mad River.   By 1989, Sierra Nevada had outgrown it’s current facility and equipment.  Construction had already commenced on Sierra’s new location, so Ken Grossman sold equipment to Bob Smith.  Mad River was born.  By December 1990 the first kegs of  Steelhead Pale ale were shipping.

A quick rundown of the offerings by Mad River:

Steelhead Extra Pale – Pale Ale, 5.6% ABV.  Spicy & floral. Light bitter.

Steelhead Double IPA – DIPA, 8.6% ABV.  Citrus hop flavor.  Dry hopped with Amarillo.

Steelhead Porter – 6.5% ABV.  Complex malt flavor with smoky malt in finish.  Light dryness.

Steelhead Extra Stout – 6.5% ABV.  Lots of roasted malts.  light American hop character.

John Barleycorn Barleywine – 9.5% ABV.  Nutty caramel malts.  Hints of plum, black currant, and maple.

Double Dread Imperial Red – Red Ale, 8.6% ABV.  Big malt foundation on the clear red ale.  Alcohol subtle for an imperial.

Serious Madness Black Ale – 8.6% ABV.  Black brew with silky smooth body & mouthfeel.  Complex malt character.

Mad Belgian Golden Ale – Belgian Pale, 6.5% ABV.  Crisp, dry & effervescent.  Belgian yeast blends well with honey favor.

Estimated Arrival Date: July 8, 2010.  Launch titles to be finalized during launch week.   Mad River is distributed by Savannah Distribution.

WELCOME TO GEORGIA MAD RIVER BREWING!

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Lagunitas, Seasonal Return

SEASONAL RETURN: Lagunitas Lucky 13

Lagunitas Brewing’s 13th anniversary was a big hit when it was first brewed.  Now it is brewed once a year in June.  Lucky 13 is a red ale, with a big hop palette.

Ingredients –

Hops – Amarillo

Malts – Dark malts, Marris Otter, Munich

From the label –

“From the first day of the first mash of the first recipe in the first space to this oasis 13 years on the road; We have worked hard to walk in the footsteps of our hero brewers. The Esteemed brewer of California’s best Pale Ale, the Noble Brewer of the planet’s only legal Steam Beer, and Oregon’s Rebel Brewer from Newport. Thirteen years down the road, we have found our own voice as brewers but our admiration for the Great Ones has not dimmed one bit. If we walked well down the hero’s path ourselves, perhaps we too have been an inspiration for others. Beer is a Bronze Age business and we feel honored to have left our footprints on its path into history, at the same time leaving our flavors on your buds. Thanks for your trust over the years and we hope you enjoy this specially brewed Hi-Gravity Auburn offering. Beer Speaks. People Mumble!”

Taste Expectations – Lots of hops and malts in 13.  You’ll find the malts caramel and sweet, and the hops piney with  hint of citrus.  A little biscuit malt, and alcohol present too.

Availability – 22oz Bombers.  Seasonally in June.

8.3% ABV

by Reid Ramsay