Mad Tom IPA - Muskoka Brewery

I wanted to get my review for Mad Tom IPA up as soon as possible considering how much I was looking forward to having a legit Ontario brewed IPA readily available.  Muskoka has made some really stellar products in the past.  I've always enjoyed their seasonals and recommend their lager to every macro drinker I meet.  In short, I think this brewery has accomplished a ton already and if it keeps heading in the same direction will become a star of the Ontario and Canadian beer scene.

So last weekend I tried their Cabin Fever cask IPA and was super impressed with the flavour.  Lots of citrus and pit fruits.  I wasn't sure what to expect from the Mad Tom given that some of their previously released hoppy beers (think Harvest Ale) tended to be more akin to a strong British IPA as opposed to the American / West Coast style that everyone loves so much.

I can safely say that this beer pulls off the American style with flying colors.  The box lists three hop varieties (Chinook, Centennial and Sorachi Ace) and a standard pale ale malt base (2-row pale and crystal).  I was really surprised to see the Sorachi Ace in the mix given that I have yet to see many Canadian brewers wandering into that territory; although it seems to be a popular hop elsewhere this year.  

The nose isn't quite as strong as I expected given the dry-hopping but it does present some very nice fruity and citrus hop aromas along with a clean but complex pine resin note.  The body is a bright and clear, light golden colour.  The head is bright white and sticks around and also to the sides of the glass nicely.   

The flavour of this beer is AWESOME.  I think this is exactly what the Ontario market needed. Plenty of upfront grapefruit, tangerine and pine flavour with a subtle but present herbally undertone.  Finishes bitter but clean.  Mad Tom IPA is a real success for this brewery.  Hopefully there is a DIPA coming down the road in the future.

The packaging of this beer is slightly more edgy and unique compared to other Muskoka products.  I personally like the six-pack format.  The price is equally stellar given what you are getting.

I personally recommend that every Ontario beer geek and cottager give this one a try.  Kudos to Muskoka for raising the bar.

ZG