Feast Of Fools - Magic Hat Brewing Company

Feast Of FoolsFeast Of Fools

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BA SCORE
88
good
-
105 Ratings
THE BROS
94
exceptional
-
read more »
rAvg: 3.95
pDev: 14.43%
Reviews: 73
Hads: 32

Ratings Help


Brewed by:
Magic Hat Brewing Company visit their website
Vermont, United States

Style | ABV
Fruit / Vegetable Beer |  5.30% ABV

Availability: Rotating. bottle (59), growler (11), on-tap (3)

Notes:
In pre-Christian times, the celebration of darkness and light was marked with great halls filled with smoke & mirrors. Guilded goblets brimming with seasonal brews were lifted to lips, speaking a language no longer known. The winter wind finds its way through heavy wood doors. The present connects the past through the brewer's art and a new beer is born: Feast of Fools... A perfect dessert beer brewed exclusively for the holiday season.

28 IBU
View:  Beers  (30) |  Events  (0)

Reviews

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Photo of mikesgroove
mikesgroove

South Carolina

4.22/5  rDev +6.8%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Much thanks to meatbeagle for gettisto me!

Poured a thick deep black with a huge brown head and a huge amount of lace. Looks pretty much as good as a stout can look, awesome, can't wait! Smell is a strong licorice with hints of caramel and rasberry. The taste is very very sweet. Deep flavors of licorice and candy, is that dark cherry I taste..yummy to say the least! Nice as thick as I would have liked, but it goes down very easily and could be an easy all night drink.

Serving type: growler

01-13-2007 01:11:35 | More by mikesgroove
Photo of feloniousmonk
feloniousmonk

Minnesota

3.95/5  rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

growler provided by meatbeagle. yeah, meatbeagle...just like to say "meatbeagle."

Fully, impenetrably dark, with a thick, rich cocoa head...gotta love it!

Aroma hits with raspberries first, then chocolate, and slight coffee, but berries are on top and remain dominant. Sweet, fruity, bitter, ...very nice.

Taste: not quite as mellifluous as we'd like...but, there's nice roast and nice grit, and the fruit plays above...smooth and silky, chocolate meets dark fruit, very nice. Rich, and delicious. Medium to full body, long, sweet finish...good stuff.

mmmn, very likable, very smooth and yummmy...yup,that one fits.

Serving type: growler

01-18-2007 09:36:02 | More by feloniousmonk
Photo of Knapp85
Knapp85

Pennsylvania

4.23/5  rDev +7.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

A massive thanks to my friend Rob for grabbing me a Humdinger of this at the brewery. The beer poured out as a deep black looking liquid with a nice light brown head on top. The head settles quickly not really leaving a lacing or anything on the glass. The smell of the beer is rather impressive. The aromas of Chocolate and raspberry mix really well together here with a the roasted malts. The taste of the beer is sweet with the fruit flavors bursting out upfront fading into the bitter dark chocolate notes in the finish. The mouthfeel isn't as heavy as I was hoping for, I thought this beer could be much thicker and oily feeling. Overall I found it to be a good brew, I would drink it again if given the opportunity too.

Serving type: growler

06-02-2012 04:08:29 | More by Knapp85
Photo of akorsak
akorsak

Pennsylvania

3.75/5  rDev -5.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 2.5

I received this as a gift from my brother and his girlfriend, recent initiates into the New Hampshire way of life. I am drinking it from my Chimay chalice.

Appearance: For once, I will talk about the bottle. Very nice looking 25 oz bottle. Red and white illustration on black bakground. As for the beer, it is black with no discernible colors eminating when held up to light. It pours with little carbonation and holds no head.

Smell: Rich, decadent chocolate, almost a solid milk chocolate like Hersheys. The smell might be a little top over the top, but it is unusual (think Young's Double Chocolate Stout).

Taste: Slightly sweet raspberry makes itself known upfront, followed by smooth chocolate flavors. There is little carbonation to cleanse the mouth on each sip, prolonging the pleasant flavor.

Mouthfeel: This beer is milk chocolate in the mouth, enough said. The raspberry can be a little too much, but the chocolate can overpower that sweetness.

Drinkability: I think that this is a very drinkable ale. The biggest problem is that one can not drink more than one. The damned cork is too small and wedged to tightly in there. I ended up using a corkscrew to open it up, just a little ri-goddamn-diculous. Magic Hat, go easy on the cork, please!

Serving type: bottle

12-28-2005 02:40:28 | More by akorsak
Photo of Jason
Jason

Massachusetts

4.22/5  rDev +6.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

The 750ml corked champagne bottle is a nice touch. If you don't know this beer it a stout brewed with raspberries. A couple of shades away from pitch black. The head forms and dissipates quickly though there is still a healthy pasty tan lace that hangs around. Both tartness and a little sweetness from the raspberries bring a faint cordial aroma with hints of roasted grain in the back. Medium sized body with a silky smoothness. Nice tartness upfront from the raspberries then some stout like characteristics come through ... mild roasted grain and faded charcoal. Hop bitterness just helps to balance and the palate is quite clean from start to finish.

Very drinkable and the fruit is always a good nudge to introduce new beer drinkers into the world of beer. I guess putting this beer is six-packs would take away from the charm a little bit but I would not mind.

Serving type: bottle

04-05-2008 13:55:07 | More by Jason
Photo of jlindros
jlindros

Massachusetts

4.05/5  rDev +2.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Thanks a ton to Matt C. for this one.

Semi decent head fades fairly quickly over dark pitch black.

Nose is loaded with raspberries, frozen candied raspberries, light chocolate and dark malts, semi raspberry seeds, light musty aromas, light woody ethers,

Taste is musty woody ethers to start, then nice light raspberry syrup and fresh raspberry including seed flavor, then light roasty malts, dark malts, bit of roast, dark chocolate, lighter overall than I expected, bit of vanilla, creamy demeanor, drier and crisp, very drinkable. Finishes dry with lingering raspberry and darker malts, very tasty.

Mouth is a bit lighter than expected but for 5% that's about right, lower but decent enough carbonation.

Overall great, tasty, drinkable, lots of great flavors blended well.

Serving type: bottle

03-26-2011 18:42:58 | More by jlindros
Photo of ppoitras
ppoitras

Massachusetts

4.08/5  rDev +3.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

Half growler (32oz) filled at the brewery.

Poured into an imperial pint glass, formed a 3/4" brown head above the opaque dark brown/black brew. Head falls ever so slowly, with plentiful delicate lace. Aroma is raspberry puree, with undercurrents of dark sweet grains. Tastes goes along the same lines, with the berry retreating a tad to let the dark malts shine. Mouthfeel is creamy smooth, and drinkability is reasonably good, although the fruit does get a bit tiresome after a spell. A seasonal I enjoy each time it comes about.

Serving type: growler

12-31-2006 02:10:01 | More by ppoitras
Photo of weeare138
weeare138

Pennsylvania

3.78/5  rDev -4.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Appears a dark brown with a red edged hue. A nice, 2 finger tan head slowly fades out to a fizzy little head and collar.
Smell is of raspberry with chocolate syrup and nuts.
Taste is of raspberries, cocoa powder, roasted nuts, and maybe mild white grape flavors as well.
Mouthfeel is resonating cocoa, brown sugar, and creamy whipped raspberries.

Serving type: bottle

08-25-2006 17:16:08 | More by weeare138
Photo of Kegatron
Kegatron

Pennsylvania

4.03/5  rDev +2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Specially branded 32 oz brewery filled growler into a tulip glass.

Pours black in the glass, with roughly a ½ finger of smooth mocha colored head. This stays foamy around the edges and throws up a moderately rich cascade of spotty froth which slowly creeps down the sides of the glass. The aroma has a pretty lush smelling raspberry nose on this, with a flavorful berry tartness that mingles with the sugary sweetness of cocoa and vanilla, while notes of green citrus and dark roast sit along the back. This is mostly all about the raspberries though, putting them front and center where they belong here in the nose.

The raspberries are more subtle here and take a bit more of a back seat, with fresh berry flavors that meld with a dark and sugary blend of chocolate, toffee, and roasted malt. Some hop character imparts a current of green citrus that runs through the profile and offers up some earthy balancing bitterness. The finish is dry and bitter with some lightly lingering notes of cocoa and roast. The mouthfeel is fuller bodied with a bit of a sharper feel up front that then gets progressively creamier and creamier until it achieves a satisfyingly smooth and silky feel towards the swallow. That 5% ABV suits the body and flavors here perfectly, giving this some presence but without any alcohol flavors whatsoever.

I was very happy to find that this kept the Stout character at the forefront in the taste, allowing the raspberry flavor to merely compliment that and not overdo it with the fruitiness. That combined with a very easy and smooth feel really helped make this much more drinkable than I initially thought that it was going to end up. It figures that this is probably the best Magic Hat beer that I've had in a long time and you can only get it there at the brewery. It's a bit pricier than their other growler offerings there but it's definitely worth checking out.

Serving type: growler

03-02-2011 18:15:48 | More by Kegatron
Photo of HopHead84
HopHead84

California

3.78/5  rDev -4.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a beautiful bottle, the beer is black with a ruby tint. The one finger head recedes quickly and leaves little lacing. Aromas of cranberries, raspberries, chocolate, and blackberry are present. The aroma is slightly tart. The taste is rich chocolate, roasted malt, and light fruits. Cranberry is the most noticeable fruit, but raspberry and blackberry are present. Feast of Fools is sweet with a low level of bitterness. Medium bodied with low carbonation.

Serving type: bottle

01-14-2009 17:39:46 | More by HopHead84
Photo of Brad007
Brad007

Vermont

3.83/5  rDev -3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Pours a dark black color with a brown head that starts out ample and fades.
Aroma is raspberry with a nice hint of roasted chocolate. Smooth and roasty. Smells very drinkable. Taste is smooth and roasty upfront with raspberry and chocolate flavors in the middle. Fades to a nice raspberry hint at the back of the tongue. Rich in the middle. One thing I don't like is how the raspberry starts out strong in the nose but fades in the taste. The chocolate flavors come out very well though. It's very drinkable despite the mentioned flaw about the raspberry (in my opinion anyway).

Serving type: bottle

12-10-2007 01:21:41 | More by Brad007
Photo of OWSLEY069
OWSLEY069

Pennsylvania

3.9/5  rDev -1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours jet black, with a tannish-brown head. In the aroma, a sweet maltiness and a small hint of chocolate, and cherries and/ or raspberries. In the taste, a roasty malt, and a dark cherry/ raspberry end. A smooth and malty mouthfeel, with a dry fruity and roasty malt aftertaste. Nice stout, interesting with the fruit presence, very drinkable.

Serving type: bottle

12-13-2007 12:04:50 | More by OWSLEY069
Photo of francisweizen
francisweizen

Australia

4.63/5  rDev +17.2%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

2003 Vintage/750ml Humdinger Bottle: Holiday Stout. This stuff pours out as black as a siberian night. This stuff is completely opaque and has a lovely tan/beige head of foam. The aromas are perfect and consist of cherries, raspberries, deep roasted malts, chocolate, caramel, toffee, and more! The taste is wonderfully roasted and consists of berries galore, and chocolate and caramel. The mouthfeel is super creamy and great and the drinkability is excellent as well. One hell of a "Humdinger"!

Serving type: bottle

12-29-2003 08:10:57 | More by francisweizen
Photo of Jwale73
Jwale73

Rhode Island

3.08/5  rDev -22%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

Thanks to edbeer and njdhopgrower for sharing. 750ml bottle served in my Old Stock snifter. As mentioned by a previous reviewer, this bottle was a bitch to open. Poured two shades shy of black with some ruby highlights around the edges. No head on this one. Lots of raspberry in the nose, almost syrupy. Raspberries are all in the nose - this beer is actually fairly watery with much less raspberry coming out than initially indicated, and a little bit of dark malt to round it all out. Mouthfeel is thin and watery with a lackluster carbonation. I've been wanting to try this beer for a while, but I have to say that it was fairly disappointing - another swing and a miss for Magic Hat.

Serving type: bottle

12-06-2009 17:14:26 | More by Jwale73
Photo of Floydster
Floydster

California

3.25/5  rDev -17.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

25 ounce corked bottled wrapped in black foil received in a trade with johnnnniee, thanks for giving the chance to try this holiday stout, poured into my Russian River pint glass last night

A-Black color with minimal light shining through and some super dark brown highlights, big one inch foamy tan head that left clouds of retention, some nice lacing at the beginning

S-Faint raspberry aroma, roasted malt, some light coffee, dark chocolate aromas, also some vanilla, and weak hoppiness later on

T-Tasted like a Guinness with some raspberry puree, not much of a fruity flavor, dryness dominated the flavor with roasted marley and malt, creamy at first then got flat rather quickly, light bitterness in the finish, smelled like there was more hops than there really was, tasted better cold, could have used more fruity flavors like advertised, like nothing I have had before

M-Lightly sweet and dry mouthfeel, thin to medium body, high levels of carbonation, taste lingered for a minute or so, expected to be more aggressive

D-Could not finish this bottle by myself, barely got through a pint, one dimensional, heavy as well, ABV is average around seven percent, not too smooth

Had to try this after hearing it was a raspberry stout, would be a nice treat once and a while but I do not need to have it again any time soon, cannot wait to try Thumbsucker from Magic Hat, unique but not great, would try another vintage down the road, recommended if curious like I was

Serving type: bottle

02-26-2008 21:21:18 | More by Floydster
Photo of Crosling
Crosling

Colorado

4.05/5  rDev +2.5%
look: 5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 5 | overall: 4

Black with a head that develops like a rising loaf of bread. Huge and thick head of tan foam. An aroma of rich dark grain (chocolate, roast, coffee) and subtle raspberries. Beautiful malt and fruit balance with intertwined notes of chocolate, coffee, roast, raspberries and a touch of grapefruit. A very good fruit beer.

Serving type: bottle

04-13-2006 00:48:45 | More by Crosling
Photo of bditty187
bditty187

Nebraska

4.2/5  rDev +6.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Black in color, there was no hue to it, pure blackness. Even when I held it to a light there was no wavering in its depth. I didn’t notice a hint of highlight. Impressive. The head was brunette in color, attractive, at the apex it was a little over a finger in height. Head retention was fair, it slid to a bubbly but pocked cap, thicker around the edges but not naked in the middle. The subsequent lacing was spotty and it didn’t cling particularly well. Overall this looks wonderful in my goblet. The nose is gourmet raspberry chocolate. It is like New Glarus’ Raspberry Tart in regards to the mouthwatering fruity aromas, granted the strength here doesn’t compare but I get the same “lavish” vibe. To state it simply, it smells good. When mixed with the chocolate it is simply amazing. Sam Adam’s Chocolate Bock couldn’t even dream of being so chocolaty. Rich, dark, mysterious and these are just the overtones. Roasted malts are noticeable, coffee hints. Some trace hints of cookie. Distant hint of grass at the back, airy at the finish, I wish the overall potency were stronger but the invitation is still clear, “Drink Me You Fool!” The palate has plenty of charm. I really like the harmony between the raspberries and chocolate flavors. Lovely. Neither one is too loud nor too quite. I’m enjoying their conversation immensely. The chocolate flavors are dark and semi-sweet; there is a good amount of depth. In the middle I get a hint of roast, some astringency, and a silky fruitiness that is beyond just the raspberries (plums and a grape or two?). Grassy at the back. As is, the palate is tasty. There is a good amount of complexity but everything falls into some general categories. But what really elevates this beer is the aftertaste. The roast really grows on the tongue; it spreads like a plague or something. Coffee does the same thing to me. I like it. More raspberries flavors as well. I must also comment that even though the abv falls above 7% I don’t taste a lick of it. My brain says otherwise. Now the only thing that doesn’t impress me is the mouthfeel. It is too thin and even a bit watery, medium in body. This aspect of the beer is average; I can’t really compare it to another style because this is a hybrid of sorts. Still it feels light in the mouth. Still, that isn’t much to criticize about. This is easy drinking, it just isn’t bulky enough to *have* to sip it but it is so damn tasty you *want* to sip it. Bring on the cheesecake! Thanks UnionMade, this was a surprise inclusion. I’m very grateful for the opportunity to quaff this gem. I owe you one buddy!

Serving type: bottle

07-27-2004 01:21:51 | More by bditty187
Photo of UncleJimbo
UncleJimbo

Massachusetts

4.1/5  rDev +3.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Feast of Fools 2001. Apparently this beer was not meant to be aged this long, but it was interesting how it had held up.

This beer poured black with tall, brown foam that eventually settled. This corked bottle had not lost any carbonation. The smell was a strong raspberry aroma with subtle hints of coffee, chocolate, malt, and a whiff of alcohol. The taste was tart with raspberry dominating, but with some cocoa and alcohol coming through. Most of the maltiness had gone away. The mouthfeel was light and airy and foamy on the tongue. The body was medium. There was a lingering raspberry tartness. The drinkability was good. This was a very interesting beer to sample.

Serving type: bottle

10-14-2003 05:45:18 | More by UncleJimbo
Photo of thekevlarkid
thekevlarkid

Maryland

4.2/5  rDev +6.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Got a chance to finally put my growler to use and had it filled (as a gift!) with this one at the brewery- big shout out to Krissy Leonard! Into my glass this beer was a damn-near-black color with a one-finger tan head. The retention was so-so and the lacing weak. The aroma was very appealing, a deep roasted malt and coffee/chocolate blend of traditional stout smells punctuated by ripe raspberries. Sweet and dark like a fine truffle. The flavors were equally impressive. It started with a sweet note of natural raspberry flavor (no artificial candy-like qualities here) that then became roasted malt, toasted malt and chocolate malt. The chocolate was rich and dark with coffee and wood smoke notes behind it. The finish was long and slightly bitter in a pleasing way that helped reel in the otherwise big flavors. The body was full, the carbonation medium/low and the mouthfeel smooth. A great example of a stout, a great example of a fruit beer done with finesse and the best beer Magic Hat has brewed, period.

Serving type: growler

01-14-2009 14:35:58 | More by thekevlarkid
Photo of donkeyrunner
donkeyrunner

Massachusetts

3.05/5  rDev -22.8%
look: 2 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

"Ship of fools on a cruel sea, ship of fools sail away from me."
- Grateful Dead

Black with dark brown edges. Thin, cocoa colored head dissipates by mid glass regardless of my attempts at a hard pour. Nary a trace of lace in sight.

Smells like a dark chocolate raspberry cordial. Tastes like a dark chocolate raspberry cordial. The raspberry is obvious but not overbearing - would have been served by a better base stout. Hardly any roasted malt, it makes me want more stout with my stout. Too clean.

Serving type: growler

02-02-2011 01:45:00 | More by donkeyrunner
Photo of aerozeppl
aerozeppl

New York

4.1/5  rDev +3.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

We drank the 2009 2007/8? and 2005/6? side by side.

A: The pour on the 09 produced an insane amount of head even with a careful pour. The oldest one had the least amount of head and the middle one was....in the middle. The beer itself was black with only a touch of brown on the edges.

S: The nose on the 09 was the best with the chocolate and raspberries coming together nicely. A little bit of sweetness as well. The middle bottle had a tight nose and had a little bit of oxidization. The oldest had a nice almost port like quality to it.

T: The fresh bottle had more of the fruit than any other with the chocolate giving it a nice compliment. The middle one was just past its prime and did not offer up anything really enjoyable. The oldest bottle had some fruit but the rest of the beer was much more complex.

M: The older it gets the less carbonation and there is quite the drop off. The body was the most enjoyable on the oldest.

D: I was surprised how well they all held up. Reminders of when Magic Hat made good beers.

Serving type: bottle

02-06-2011 19:51:38 | More by aerozeppl
Photo of orbitalr0x
orbitalr0x

Illinois

4.1/5  rDev +3.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

2005 vintage, 750ml bottle with new artwork. Pours into my glass a deep brooding black color with dark ruby highlights and a nice bubbly dark tan head on top. Does look nice in the glass. Aromas of roasty, even slightly smoky cocoa alongside a nice fresh raspberry as well. I'm picking up a touch of oxidation and I might have held onto this for a little too long. Even still, the aroma is inviting.

First sip brings some roasty dark maltiness upfront with a touch of smokiness. Notes of bitter cocoa lead into a rush of wonderful raspberry flavor. The fruit works in really well and brings a light touch of sweetness. Just a really enjoyable fruity stout.

Mouthfeel is medium bodied with a prickly carbonation. Goes down smooth and tasty. I've enjoyed this beer the last time I had the chance to drink it and I'm enjoying this bottle as well. I haven't had much from Magic Hat but the Feast of Fools is surely worth checking out. I hope I cross paths with it again! Thanks to UnionMade for this one.

Serving type: bottle

03-14-2007 01:55:14 | More by orbitalr0x
Photo of far333
far333

Connecticut

4.35/5  rDev +10.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Vintage 2002

Served at cellar temperature in a crystal goblet.

Pours out oily black, and foam rises up to a high mound of chunky brown meringue, but settles down quickly to a half inch lid of fine, tight brown bubbles. Aroma is subtle and understated raspberry, with the slightest hint of cocoa, some plum, and a bit of talc riding beneath.

Mouthfeel is smooth with moderate carbonation, creamy with a fine tingle along for the ride. Flavor is very well-balanced and enjoyable, with the raspberry and cocoa swimming in and out and complementing each other very well. Dark roasted malts ebb and flow. A coffee bitter lingers, and fans out across the back of the tongue morphing into chocolate. The flavor gets more intense with each sip.

As I swirl the glass, a thin sheet of foam rises evenly up the sides and slides slowly back down. This one has aged well, and is very satisfying to sip slowly. Would go well after dinner, perhaps over dessert, or even with a mild cigar.

The other three 2002 bottles in the cellar may have a short lifespan.

Serving type: bottle

04-25-2004 01:42:40 | More by far333
Photo of NEhophead
NEhophead

Massachusetts

3.65/5  rDev -7.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

1pt 9 fl oz.

Huge, rocky-foam that's light brown in color; good durability. Some thin and spotted lacing with good strength. Opaque black in color.

Nice tart, ripe raspberry aroma. Mild coffee and milk chocolate. Faint whiff of alcohol.

Mellow, milk and dark chocolate, roasted malt character. Very distinct peat smoked quality throughout the sip. Underlying metallic raspberry flavor; artificial. Light bitterness with a coffee-raspberry aftertaste.

Drinks a shade lighter than full bodied. A lot of carbonation; spritzy on the palate.

The sweet/tart quality matched with the heaviness of the style makes this version a little tough to have more than one at a time. Unique, but not too appealing for my taste.

Serving type: bottle

05-06-2005 01:57:17 | More by NEhophead
Photo of UnionMade
UnionMade

Colorado

4.78/5  rDev +21%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

The beer pours out of it's fancy teardrop shaped bottle a deep, dark brown, pretty much black. Completely opaque, with no light shining through, even when put right up to a light bulb. A vigorous pour generates a healthy, short beige foam. The head settles into a light coating of mist, with a thick collar bordering. The mist keeps all the way through, leaving tons of lace clinging to the glass.
The aroma is deep and complex. Very much like a gourmet raspberry chocolate, with sweetish roasted malt generating a dominating dark chocolate scent. An underlying raspberry tartness is perfectly placed, not too strong so the malt doesn't come through enough. A bit of sweetish, cookie like yeast. Some burnt quality to the malt, although remaining extremely smooth and blended.
The flavor starts with a sweetish, full roastiness, very heavy on the chocolate. Plenty of dark chocolate, with a mild burnt malt edge. The yeast smooths it all out, adding a creamy, cookie dough quality. The raspberry creeps in, adding a well placed berry sweetness, countering the slight malt bitterness. A touch of prune, red grape and fig into the finish, meeting soft herbal hops that slide under a growing burnt malt bitterness. A bit of astringency, with the chocolate intensifying into a baker's chocolate bitterness. The raspberry takes on a pleasant tartness, mingling with the burnt flavors to create an amazingly complex finish. A lasting dark choholate flavor sticks to the tongue for ages, along with a bit of herbal hops and plenty of raspberry.
Easily one of Magic Hat's best beers, this is probably one of my all time favorites. One of the most well wrought fruit beers, if not the best. My only complaint is that I have to drive 5-6 hours to Burlington to actually get some. I brought home a case this year. It's really that good.

Serving type: bottle

04-20-2004 03:51:15 | More by UnionMade
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Feast Of Fools from Magic Hat Brewing Company
88 out of 100 based on 105 user ratings.