welcome to the beer blog
Something new for 2026— we are introducing a beer blog! Get a sneak peek at what is in the works for tap room exclusive offerings, and learn about the creativity and science that goes on behind-the-scenes at Paskenta Mad River Brewery.
Brew Blog – 5/28/2026
Hello beer lovers and blog readers,
The brewery has been busy ramping up for summertime, and the whole crew has been
hustling to make sure we’re stocked up for the warm-weather rush. Longer days usually
mean more folks, more weekend hangs, and most importantly more river days so we’ve been dialing in schedules, keeping the cellar moving, and making sure the tanks stay full.
On the pilot system I’ve been working on a Cascadian Dark Ale. The idea is simple: keep the
hop character bright and expressive like an IPA, but layer in just enough dark malt to bring color and a light roast note without turning the beer into a porter or stout. Pitch & Pine is built to do exactly that, coming in at 6.4% ABV and 55 IBU. I dry hopped it with Mosaic, Citra, and Dr. Rudi, so the first impression is all aroma. Mosaic brings a mix of berry and resin, Citra leans hard into grapefruit and lime, and Dr. Rudi adds a punchy, slightly herbal bitterness.
In the glass we have a dark brown beer with a fluffy tan head. Flavor-wise, it starts with
citrus peel then shifts quickly into fir needles, sticky pine sap, and that classic dank hop
note. The malt is mostly a supportive roast flavor that really drives home the dankness of this beer. Bitterness is firm but not harsh, and it comes across as piney. Body lands in the
medium range with smooth carbonation, so it drinks like an IPA but still has that darker,
woodsy depth. You should be seeing Pine & Pitch on tap soon!
Cheers,
Julien 🍻
Brew Blog – 4/13/2026
Hello beer lovers and blog readers,
April has arrived, and spring is settling in Blue Lake. We’re welcoming longer days, fresh pours, and plenty of reasons to gather in the tap room. This month is all about easy-drinking beers, laidback vibes, and enjoying the changing season with good friends.
Thanks to the great response to Luminaire Lager, we’re keeping the taps flowing with a fresh batch hitting the tap room soon. And for our dark beer fans, a seasonal favorite is making its return! Summertime Stout will be back on tap shortly. This is one even our brewers are asking for with regularity! Crafted to be approachable and refreshing, it delivers classic, roasty stout flavors without the heaviness. At 6.2% ABV with a surprisingly light body, it’s an all-around sessionable stout.
As always, thank you for supporting local beer. Keep an eye here for any updates and behind the scenes view of what we’re cooking at Mad River. We’ll see you at the brewery.
Cheers,
Julien 🍻
Brew Blog – 3/20/2026
Hello beer lovers, and blog readers,
Welcome back! We have a lot of irons in the fire at the brewery, with some exciting things on the horizon for everyone to enjoy. Thank you to all who gave us feedback for the Luminaire Lager. We are thrilled to see people really loving this crisp, light, and refreshing take on Mad River beer.
Most recently, I’ve been working on an American Wheat brewed with lemon peel and grains of paradise that I’m thrilled to get on tap for our taproom guests. We’re calling it Another Day in Paradise. This wheat beer will come in at 4.7% ABV and 21 IBU. In the glass, it pours a hazy pale yellow with a fluffy white head. Expect a soft, pillowy mouthfeel with flavors reminiscent of lemon curd and shortbread finishing with a subtle, warming spice character derived from the grains of paradise. It’s the perfect companion for a lovely day in sunny ol’ Blue Lake. We should be seeing this on tap in the coming weeks with more exciting things coming soon.
Cheers,
Julien 🍻
Brew Blog – 1/29/2026
Hello beer lovers and blog readers,
I’m Julien. For those that don’t know me, I am one of the brewers here at PMRB. I have been working here for a few years now. We wanted to get together a regular blurb of what’s going on behind the scenes at Mad River! This month on the pilot system I have been excited to get a fresh new lager out for the taproom, the Lumin Aire Lager. This recipe has been crafted with a special ingredient, Orange Blossoms. We expect this to impart a delicate herbal orange note to what is already a delightful beverage. A pale lager made with rice, leaving plenty of room for bright and delicate flavors like the orange blossom. This beer will keep you wanting more! We should expect this to hit the tap room in early spring, pairing perfectly with those fresh buds all around us.
Cheers,
Julien 🍻
