magic hat summer 2008 variety show review
Alert Propeller Skies readers will recall I discovered Magic Hat beers at a bar in Pittsburgh about a year ago. Until sometime this summer, Magic Hat’s delicious products were unavailable in Atlanta - Strip City™ and The Republican was too lazy to bring me back any when she drove to New England, so I was thrilled to find a variety pack at Green’s.
While consuming the myriad brews in the variety show, I recorded my impressions to share the joy of Magic Hat with Prizzo Skeezy readers. Unfortunately, I was heavily into my research when I did that and my notes are rather unclear, so some errors or omissions may occur.
#9
Magic Hat #9 is billed as an almost pale ale. That is not inaccurate, as the beer does not explode with hoppy zest like Smoove D reference pale ales Sierra Nevada and Phinn and Matt’s. Nevertheless, this is a fine brew with hints of apple and raspberry. Although Magic Hat #9 is not in my regular pale ale rotation, I do enjoy it and will pick up a six pack every now and again.
circus boy
I hate hefeweizen. When I get some as part of a variety pack, I sample it, confirm I dislike it, and then unload the rest on unsuspecting homeless people, of which my neighborhood has plenty. Much to my surprise, I enjoyed Magic Hat’s Circus Boy. The hefeweizen was savory, with a stinging hint of citrus. I suspect I liked it because it was a fairly minimalist example of the style - Magic Hat did not overdo the beer with an excess of competing flavors.
hocus pocus
Hocus Pocus is a seasonal ale produced by Magic Hat. I found it crisp, with a taste of copper. There is a nice, but not overwhelming, hop bitterness to the beer. Hocus Pocus is nicely balanced and reminds me of unnaturally blue sky and open fields.
notion (summer 2008)
I have no idea what the fuck this beer was, but I liked it. In contrast to the previous three brews, this is a fairly dark beer. The flavor was caramel with plenty of malty goodness and an unexpected finish with hints of lemon.
November 1st, 2008 at 02:04
Magic Hat has also invaded SC bars and grocery stores. I like hefeweizens and really liked the subtle citrus of Circus Boy. #9 is on tap at most places and is a solid go-to beer. Way to go Vermont and Magic Hat!
I’m still jealous of the keg selection at the Ponce de Leon Green’s.
November 5th, 2008 at 15:35
mate, i reckon you oughta do you yourself a favour, get on over to the U of K, and get your reviewing lips round some of the many brilliant real ales over here.
think you’d have a ball. and i sure as shit would, reading your reviews.