Drink of the Week: Serious Madness Black Ale

We can’t think of a better way to commemorate March Madness than with a killer beer, and today’s Drink of the Week is the perfect option. Serious Madness is Mad River Brewing Company’s first seasonal offering, released in honor of the Californian brewery’s 20th anniversary. This dark, powerful black ale (8.6 percent ABV) offers rich bursts of sweet brown bread and roasted coffee on the nose. In the glass, the coffee character holds its own, mellowed by dark toasty and chocolaty notes and a hint of fruity acidity. It goes down perilously easy, and paired with a sauerkraut-laden Reuben or grilled bratwurst, you’ve got yourself a slam dunk.