Mad Fox’s ‘Rock Star’ Moving up the Popularity Chart

Bill Madden has been in the beer brewing business for 17-years but never has he joined with a “Rock Star” to produce a big hit with his patrons.

The Rock Star Red debuted on St. Patrick’s Day at and has been a big hit ever since. The local rock star realtor Tori McKinney won the opportunity to have a beer named after her during last year’s Gala auction.

“In the beer you can taste caramel with a malt accent, lightly hopped, medium bodied,” said Madden, owner of Mad Fox. “There’s a bit of Tori in every glass. She’s the new St. Patty’s Girl.”

There were 30 kegs of the popular ale brewed and by Thursday there were only nine kegs left. Rock Star Red debuted at a large party at Mad Fox that included samples of the ale and food. McKinney said she didn’t have anything to do with the brewing process but was there to see it produced.

McKinney sat at the bar at Mad Fox Thursday giving her own interpretation of the ale. She said it’s rich in flavor, not heavy with a slight sweetness. The majestic, smooth color of the ale is what McKinney bragged about.

“It’s all about the pretty,” she said. “This was a fun opportunity and we made the most of it.”

There are only plans to release the ale every St. Patrick’s Day, Madden said but it’s possible the beer could make it into the regular beer rotation on tap.

“Rock Star anytime of year is a good idea,” Madden said.

- Patch employee Nancy Anderson contributed to this story.