Circus Boy - Magic Hat Brewing Company

ConsumerOfBeer

Maryland

3.98/5  rDev +16.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

A- Light golden color. Cloudy.

S- Citrusy, a bit skunky.

T- Large hints of lemon and orange peel. Ever so slightly bitter, which I really like about this. Extremely drinkable.

M- Lightly carbonated, refreshing, and clean. Overall very pleasant.

O- I really enjoyed this Circus Boy brew. Very refreshing on a warm spring day. Very drinkable.

Serving type: bottle

05-17-2013 23:55:12 | More by ConsumerOfBeer

Neorebel

New Jersey

3.14/5  rDev -8.2%
look: 3 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 3

Appearance - Pale yellow-orange, with a very slight haziness. Head dies down rapidly, leaves some traces of lacing on the glass.

Smell - Sweet bread, honey, a little yeast,and unfortunately some oxidation. I am also picking up some citrusy hops in the aroma.

Taste - The first thing that jumps out at me is a white pepper/clove type of crisp spiciness, which may be a little too dominant. The wheat bread heart of the beer is actually quite nice, but it does not linger.

Finish - A dry and watery finish pops up quickly after sipping. A tad lemony and soapy as well.

Overall - Probably my least favorite beer from The Magic Hat brewery, but in all fairness, I am not the biggest fan of American style wheat beers in general. Give me a German style any day!

Serving type: bottle

04-14-2013 02:25:03 | More by Neorebel

DZiegler

Arizona

2.28/5  rDev -33.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 2 | overall: 2.5

Poured from a bottle into a pint glass

A: Typical hefeweizen appearance. Light golden color and hazy. Very thin head formed but dissipated within about 10 seconds leaving no lacing.

S: Definitely can smell the fruitiness of the beer. Hints of citrus and something else sweet, can't quite put a finger on it.

T: Very sweet tasting at first, but the aftertaste is pretty bad, i.e. watery and bland

M: Very light with little carbonation.

O: Overall, I can't say it was a bad beer, but it wasn't a great one either. I expected more from the beer as Magic Hat usually has a great product.

Serving type: bottle

03-12-2013 16:57:22 | More by DZiegler

GeorgiaBrewed

Mississippi

2.54/5  rDev -25.7%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 2 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 2.75

Poured out of a bottle into a hefeweizen glass

A: Light and cloudy. It's about what you would expect from the style. It pours with a small head that disappears quickly

S: Citrusy aroma. I'm getting a little bit of honey as well, but maybe that's just me.

T: It starts sweet and citrusy, but the finish is just flat and bland.

M: Very light. It's almost watery.

O: I can't say that it's not worth a try, but there are better American wheats out there. I normally enjoy what Magic Hat has to offer, so I was a little disappointed with this one.

Serving type: bottle

02-21-2013 03:00:40 | More by GeorgiaBrewed

socon67

New York

3.54/5  rDev +3.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5

A- Orange hazy pour. No lacing and with slight bubbles of carbonation. Foam is active but settles quick.

S - Scents of wheat, lemon and banana come to the nose. Certianly has a strong citrus notes to go along with light grains.

T - Easy drinking wheat beer with a bit of lemon zest and spice. Kinda like those girl scout cookies.

M - Light feel, mild carbonation, and some tastness at the end. Enjoyable beer.

O - Not bad at all. The addition of lemongrass gave this some nice tartness. This would be nice on a hot summer day.

Serving type: bottle

01-27-2013 23:30:05 | More by socon67

Huhzubendah

District of Columbia

2.68/5  rDev -21.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

The beer is hazy and yellow, as is typical of the style. Small white head that leaves a thick trail of lacing on the glass. The aroma offers lemons, malt, cleaning solution. More cleaning solution and artificial lemon in the flavor. Lacking body, character. Tastes gimmicky, cheap. Just not my thing. I would never choose this over any German hefe. Not a repeat.

Serving type: bottle

01-26-2013 07:50:48 | More by Huhzubendah

PC740

1.36/5  rDev -60.2%
look: 3.25 | smell: 2 | taste: 1 | feel: 1.5 | overall: 1

This review has no intent of matching the highly descriptive jargon used on this site by more experienced professionals. It reflects the utter disappointment of picking up a six pack after a 14 hour day only to be let down in the worst way.

A light amber color - like apple cider - it pours with slight effervescence with only a half finger head appearing at the last 2 ounces. Yeast on the bottom clouds the pour. The immediate scent is an odd mix of dirty stagnant water and bleach. On sniffing the bottle, faint spices and fruit are detectable.

A hint of pepper appears on taste; carbonation up front, and a watery back end. The foul scent is confirmed. A cask strength scotch is necessary for proper cleansing.

Serving type: bottle

01-19-2013 04:07:01 | More by PC740

ColdWaffles

Pennsylvania

3.13/5  rDev -8.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Poured from a 12 oz bottle into a Samuel Smith's tulip pint glass.

Appearance: Pours an appropriately hazy dark yellow color with a weak white head that dies pretty quickly.

Smell: Citrusy with wheat and may hints of corn. I'm picking up plenty of it, but it's not really wonderful. It doesn't offend though.

Taste: Much the same. Citrusy, with wheat and a tiny bit of zest... and water. Very watery. Pretty unimpressive and pretty one dimensional.

Mouthfeel: Wheat and water. Light with decent carbonation. Not great.

If this were the only example I had for the style, I'd be bummed.

Serving type: bottle

01-04-2013 22:16:28 | More by ColdWaffles

DannyHartman

3.23/5  rDev -5.6%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

As I pour a 12 oz. bottle into a pint glass, a 1-2" thick head appears atop a hazy yellowish/gold brew.... The head dissolves quickly.... There's decent retention and minimal lacing.... There's also a few noticeable bubbles rising throughout the drink.

I take a whiff, and I get mostly lemon and bready malt.... That's about it.

The taste is pretty similar.... Lots of lemon and bread.... There's also a bit of spice like pepper.

This is a light to medium-bodied brew that is well carbonated.... Pretty crisp for a "hefeweizen".... Leaves a zesty lemon aftertaste.

Overall, I'm not too impressed with this brew for what it's supposed to be.... It has a decent taste, but it's almost too easy of a drink (if you know what I mean).

Serving type: bottle

12-28-2012 20:21:51 | More by DannyHartman

axeman9182

New Jersey

2.9/5  rDev -15.2%
look: 2 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

12 oz bottle, served into my Bruery tulip.

Circus Boy pours a mostly hazy tangerine, with a decent amount of goldenrod highlights. Only half a finger or so of white foam tops the beer, and both head retention and lacing are basically nonexistent. The nose is entirely too weak. There's a bit of grainy wheat, and a trace of lemon, but that's it. The flavor profile is better, but just barely. The same wheatiness greets me first with each sip, but here it's followed by a light sprinkling of black pepper. A muted lemon zest note provides the finish. The body is a little full, and the carbonation a little lackluster, but still the mouthfeel is probably this beer's best quality. Circus Boy tastes like it's a bit past it's prime (not that there's any bottle dating present), but I don't think even in peak condition it's much more than an alright wheat beer (and for the love of God, don't call it a hefeweizen).

Serving type: bottle

12-16-2012 03:51:29 | More by axeman9182

TMoney2591

Illinois

2.48/5  rDev -27.5%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2

Served in an Ohio State shaker pint glass.

I feel dirty drinking out of this glass, but it's what they have here, so c'est la vie indeed. Anyway, this stuff pours a clear straw topped by a finger of lightly off-white foam. The nose comprises wheat, corn syrup, and very light lettuce. There's a palpable sweetness pervading. The taste holds notes of light funky wheat, old lemon peel, and a pinch of black pepper. The body is a hefty light, with a light moderate carbonation and a surprisingly very dry finish. Overall, a pretty sad hefe. The yeast character is nil, the wheat is funky, and things just seemed generally off.

Serving type: bottle

12-14-2012 10:31:09 | More by TMoney2591

allforbetterbeer

Colorado

3.35/5  rDev -2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Poured into a Pilsner glass.

Pours clear and golden light with a white fluffy head. After mixing in the dregs, it is cloudy and soft looking with plentiful bubbles. rising.

Smells of light citrus zest, light active yeast, white toast, light cracked malt. Smells dry and fresh.

The flavor is slightly yeasty with a tiny citrus note (from yeast and hops) and malt taking center stage. The malty flavors are relegated to the light side of the spectrum, and with crackery dry saltine and white toast notes. No banana or coriander type flavors to be found in this American version. Too bad the label says "hefeweizen"

The mouthfeel is lighter and well carbonated.

Conclusion: Not a bad beer, but really not special either. There isn't much to set this apart from other APWAs, but the malt flavors are clean and textured. I suppose this is meant to be enjoyed with a lemon wedge. I would never turn this down, and if there were not so many fantastic local alternatives, I can't find any reason why I wouldn't want some stocked in my fridge, especially during the summer months.

Serving type: bottle

12-12-2012 19:55:42 | More by allforbetterbeer

CequalsBsharp

3.33/5  rDev -2.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

A- Cloudy golden-yellow color with decent head. Left a fair amount of lacing on the glass.

S- Pretty nice aroma. Definitely had a fresh lemon and wheat smell to it.

T- More of the lemon and wheat maybe a bit a spice. Kinda soapy at times.

M- Pretty crisp and refreshing.

O- Would make a much better summer beer. Not my favorite beer in the genre, but still a nice pour.

Serving type: bottle

12-02-2012 18:53:52 | More by CequalsBsharp

MsJessie

3.68/5  rDev +7.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Circus Boy is my Gateway beer. Despite the fact that it has fallen into the bottom rungs of my most wanted beer list.

When poured properly, it forms a decent head (1.5 to 2 fingers in size), and it golden in color with an ivory/white head.

It has a lemon and floral aroma, and you can absolutely catch the lemongrass on the finishing edge that is almost overwhelming. I feel that for me, it is reminiscent of lemon cleaning products. Other than that it is wonderful.

The body is light and drinks very easily. Perfect for hot days. Very refreshing.

Beer is available (PA) in:

12oz Bottles (cases and six packs)
Draft (16 to 24oz pours, Growlers)

Serving type: bottle

11-20-2012 02:19:18 | More by MsJessie

DavidS88

Massachusetts

3.98/5  rDev +16.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

After drinking pretty much nothing but brewers' versions of Octoberfests, IPAs, and stouts for the past few weeks, it was nice to get back to something crisp, clean, and refreshing with Magic Hat Circus Boy, their hefeweizen-American pale wheat ale hybrid. Poured into a 16oz Samuel Adams glass, it has a nice golden-yellow color and is fairly cloudy since it's unfiltered. It also has a nice white head, maybe about two fingers.

The aroma and taste are very largely wheat and yeast with a good hint of lemon. None of the scents or tastes are really overpowering and they blend nicely to form a delectably citrusy and malty combo that is sure to delight someone looking for a beer that is relatively light and refreshing. Probably more appropriate for a hot summer day than the middle of October, but hey, I needed a break and this looked really appetizing.

Overall, I was really pleased with this. Circus Boy is a great session beer that you can down quickly if you're going out or sit back and enjoy the distinct flavor. Yes, there are beers similar to this that a lot of people might like better, but that certainly doesn't mean you should ignore Circus Boy. Cheers!

Serving type: bottle

10-21-2012 18:38:00 | More by DavidS88

biegaman

Ontario (Canada)

3.4/5  rDev -0.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Leaving the beer unfiltered may make it appear less polished, but no less attractive. This clouded, yellow offering retains a good amount of shine even despite its lack of clarity and looks pretty darn enticing, if you ask me. Few bubbles are noted and, correspondingly, little head is amassed but there's enough to give it a proper wheat beer image.

Instantly noticed in the aroma is the zest, which, on first thought, I had penciled in as either lemon or orange but upon giving a closer look to the label is actually lemongrass. A good hefeweizen yeast is zesty and aromatic enough and shouldn't need any help, but I suppose it doesn't hurt (and this beer definitely could have used it).

Circus Boy definitely doesn't drink like the hefeweizen it's advertised as. There's little fullness in the mouthfeel and, the bouquet aside, little zest or spice neither. Nothing remotely resembling clove or banana (the flavours most often associated with the style) is noticed and, though well bubbled and a tad creamy, there's little quenching about it.

All that being said, I hesitate to paint too bad a picture of Circus Boy. It is an agreeable ale and sure to appeal greatly to those still unfamiliar with anything other than commercial lagers; the zest and yeast here is too faint for my palate, but might be like hitting jackpot for less experienced drinkers. There are, however, much better offerings at similar price.

Magic Hat is pretty successful by the standards of an economically oriented world. And while they provide a decent variety of styles and a couple of outstanding offerings, I don't know they deserve all the attention that's come their way, not when there are so many better microbreweries still wrestling for a share of the pie. Consider looking elsewhere.

Serving type: bottle

08-20-2012 17:21:32 | More by biegaman

HopAlongG

New Hampshire

2.3/5  rDev -32.7%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

The fact that it says hefeweizen on the label probably skewed my review from the first sip. Even compared to other APWA it's lousy. Maybe because I've been swilling Ayinger, Kellerweis, Weihenstephaner, etc. all summer added to the fact that I dumped it halfway through the first bottle.

I may give it another try but I highly doubt it. It tasted like some bug spray was added for flavor. Perhaps it's just me, but I haven't found a Magic Hat offering that I can tolerate more than a few sips of yet.

If you like this style try A Little Sumpin' Sumpin' Ale by Lags....the standard IMNSHO and truly outstanding.

Serving type: bottle

08-18-2012 17:32:31 | More by HopAlongG

enoerew

3.28/5  rDev -4.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A - Readily foams, leaving about 1/2" of foam fading to a thin ring in 1-2 minutes, hazy golden yellow, no lacing.

S - Lemon, bready, copper.

T - Bright, citrus, slightly acidic.

M - Light, slight carbonation, aftertaste on sides of tongue.

O - Decent hefeweizen, could be more complex tastewise.

Serving type: bottle

08-17-2012 01:11:59 | More by enoerew

zeff80

Missouri

3.53/5  rDev +3.2%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A - Poured out a hazy, golden yellow color with a one-finger, white head of bubbly foam. It left little to no lacing.

S - It smelled of lemon and cracked wheat. Nice aroma.

T - It tasted of wheat, spices (corriander), lemon and some yeastiness.

M - It was crisp, sharp and smooth. A light bodied ale with a dry, clean finish.

O - This is a nice wheat beer. Glad I finally got to try it.

Serving type: bottle

07-13-2012 12:31:29 | More by zeff80

tobelerone

New Jersey

2.75/5  rDev -19.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2.5

On tap at the brewery. Very pale, hazy yellow, with a sizeable white head and patchy lacing. Lemony aroma with lots of grainy wheat and moderate honey sweetness in the nose.

Flavor is blander than anticipated; wheat is the predominant taste, with a grainy and slightly off, catty character. More malty/honey sweetness than I’d like in this style; with lesser citrus/lemon and floral notes. Not particularly appealing. Not a ton of lemongrass coming through.

Light body with fairly crisp carbonation, decent crispness. Still fails to clean up as much as it could. Watery. Not outstanding or particularly tasty in any way and not something I’d return to in the future.

Serving type: on-tap

07-10-2012 14:11:30 | More by tobelerone

rundocrun

Iowa

2.75/5  rDev -19.6%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

A - Body is a cloudy straw yellow. A half finger of white head with decent retention forms. No lacing.

S - Aromas of brown bread and just a touch of spicy funk. Mild herbal hops. Overall, not too aromatic though.

T - Dry and bready up front. A touch of fruity tang comes in toward the middle with hints of spices - black pepper and saffron. Also a touch of lemongrass and orange. Finish is a bit metallic and watery.

M - Thin body. Good carbonation. Finish is fairly clean.

Serving type: bottle

07-08-2012 21:46:29 | More by rundocrun

KajII

North Carolina

3.33/5  rDev -2.6%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

[Best served in a Weizen glass]

The pour was a hazy pale yellow with a large white frothy head that dissipated quickly down to a thick film with a medium collar and had some fair spotty lacing.

The aroma was pretty basic for a Hefeweizen, with a mild grain malt and a soapy yeast and having notes of citrus (lemon), banana and a bit of coriander.

The taste was light and mildly sweet with a slight banana wheat presence early on, then became rather yeasty with a hint of lemon, a moderate dose of spice and a slight bitter citrus peel finish. The flavor was very short lived with the slight spicy yeast taste fading quickly after the swallow.

Mouthfeel was light in body and watery in texture with a unusually mild carbonation.

Overall a pretty basic Hefeweizen with a nice taste, a refreshing feel and a great drinkability. This is a brew that is light in alcohol and refreshing in taste, making it a great addition to any summer outing...

Serving type: bottle

07-04-2012 14:17:11 | More by KajII

thecheapies

Pennsylvania

3.58/5  rDev +4.7%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

Hazy tangerine/gold brew. Some minor stick on the glass. The head is a foamy whisp. Looks like beer.

Crackery wheat malts, dusty yeast cake, and faint lemon/orange. Nothing to write home about.

Soapy flavors with a lemon juice punch. Very chalky yeast, dry malts, subtle spicing, and herbal notes are probably not hops.

Super-easy drinking. Sudsy, which is a plus for this one, and it masks the thinner-than-medium body.

Very mild pale wheat that isn't too bad... now, when Magic Hat calls it a hefeweizen, that's when we have a problem.

Serving type: bottle

07-04-2012 03:38:35 | More by thecheapies

LXIXME

New Mexico

2.78/5  rDev -18.7%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

Poured from about an inch or so above the glass give this pale golden colored beer a smallish white head.

A very faint sweet malt and grain aroma on this medium to light bodied beer.

A light sweetness to light grain malt tasting beer.

A light dry aftertaste with just a touch of sweetness to it.

Not much to this beer, it would be good for beginners and beer pong, and that's about it I would guess.

Serving type: bottle

06-24-2012 22:48:15 | More by LXIXME

RoamingGnome

Wisconsin

3.55/5  rDev +3.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

12 oz bottle into a pilsner style glass. Served chilled...

A) Golden with pretty good clarity for a wheat brew. A finger of head settled to a collar. No lacing...

S) Really quite grassy. Just a little wheat on the nose. Very light spice.

T) Nice wheat flavor... Good balance... Grassy hops and citrus zest. Very clean finish.

M) Solid medium body. Nicely carbonated, which keeps this lively, crisp and refreshing. Nice summer brew.

O) Enjoyed this beer... Really one of Magic Hats better offerings. Give this one a shot.

Serving type: bottle

06-24-2012 20:33:20 | More by RoamingGnome