Mad River Jamaica Brand Sunset India Pale Ale
Jamaica, man…Mad River Brewing Company, out of California, has a few brands under its brewing umbrella. I’ve only had the opportunity to enjoy a few beers in their Steelhead line of products, most notably the Extra Stout.
This Sunset India Pale Ale is my first from the company’s Jamaica Brand of beers. Compared to the Steelhead Double IPA and Extra Pale Ale that I’ve had in the past, this particular brew is much fruitier on the nose and carries a definitive West Coast hop profile from beginning to end while the other two, from what I can remember, lean more on the earthy pine that hops can bring to the table. When all is said and done, it’s still a damn tasty brew.
Appearance
Sunset IPA pours a hazy orangish amber in color with a rocky white head that fell slowly, resulting in excellent lacing.
Aroma
Wafts of succulent, tropical fruits fill the nose with hints of pine resin and grass. This beer smells amazing.
Taste
The fruity citrus character of the nose is still present in the flavor profile, but not nearly as fresh cut as more pine and grass come forward over the moderate malt sweetness. The hops bring a decent level of bitterness, but not in levels that would cause a distraction or dominate the palate. The beer glides fairly smoothly across the tongue with an initial crispness that fades quickly in the lasting finish.
Overall
I really wish I had purchased more than just the single bottle that I did. Immediately upon finishing this brew, I wanted another — just to stick my nose deep into the glass and inhale. This beer smells darn good and tastes just as good. If the flavor profile mirrored the nose more closely this beer would have been otherworldly.
Rating: 4/5