Heart Of Darkness - Magic Hat Brewing Company

far333

Connecticut

3.33/5  rDev -15.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

After having written the review just below for the bottled version, I went to my favorite beer bar and found the draught version, and immediately asked for a pint. I have to say (and the rest of the draught reviews seem to agree) that the draught version is similar in all respects except the flavor and aroma. The flavor is milder and smoother, and the hop flavor takes over. The hints of chocolate and coffee seem to be lost in both flavor and aroma. The head also seemed to run away too quickly. Still a very drinkable and enjoyable stout, but the bottled version really stands out in the crowd, where the draught version is just another oatmeal stout.

Serving type: on-tap

04-25-2003 03:56:45 | More by far333

superspak

Michigan

4.2/5  rDev +6.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

12 ounce bottle into pint glass, winter 2012 bottling. Pours lightly hazy very dark brown color with a 1-2 finger moderately dense khaki head with great retention, that reduces to a small cap that lingers. Some nice soapy lacing clings down the glass. Aromas of milk chocolate, roasted malt, toast, toffee, caramel, light coffee, and light floral earthiness. Excellent aromas with great balance, strength, and complexity of roasted malt notes with light hops. Taste of milk chocolate, roasted malt, toast, toffee, caramel, coffee, and floral earthiness. Light coffee bitterness on the finish; with lingering notes of milk chocolate, roasted malt, toast, toffee, coffee, and floral earthiness on the finish for a good bit. Very nice balance and complexity of roasted malt flavors; with a good amount of robustness and no cloying flavors after the finish. Medium carbonation and body; with a moderately creamy and smooth mouthfeel that is nice. Alcohol is very well hidden with only a slight warming noticed after the finish. Overall this is a highly excellent stout! Great balance of roasted flavors with good robustness; and very smooth to drink. A highly enjoyable offering.

Serving type: bottle

05-17-2013 04:17:42 | More by superspak

BeastLU

Virginia

4/5  rDev +1.5%

05-17-2013 00:56:42 | More by BeastLU

stckhndlr

Virginia

3.25/5  rDev -17.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

A- A properly named beer as not a bit of light gets through this one. Very dark with a creamy head the thins out and just clings along the edge of the glass.

S- A good roasted nose. Very gentle blend of chocolate and coffee, some toffee notes and a fruitiness that resembles a raisin/fig.

T- Roasted malt and chocolate, with a bitterness of coffee to it.

M- Compared to other stouts that have a more syrupy, thicker feel to them, this one is more of a creamy, dry feel. Almost like a dry hoppy feel.

O- I loved the smell of this one but I am more partial to the smoother stouts that are out there. I was a little put off by the bitters left in the finish. I would prefer a sweeter finish to my stout. Still had a good nose and taste up front.

Serving type: bottle

05-16-2013 22:11:15 | More by stckhndlr

JackMcAwesome

Florida

3.75/5  rDev -4.8%

05-15-2013 18:36:46 | More by JackMcAwesome

Zimm

New Jersey

4.25/5  rDev +7.9%

05-15-2013 17:11:33 | More by Zimm

ajtorres311

Florida

3.25/5  rDev -17.5%

05-15-2013 16:38:51 | More by ajtorres311

Slatetank

Pennsylvania

4.25/5  rDev +7.9%

05-15-2013 16:13:22 | More by Slatetank

twenty5

Pennsylvania

3.75/5  rDev -4.8%

05-15-2013 15:29:47 | More by twenty5

mralbertson

North Carolina

3.75/5  rDev -4.8%

05-15-2013 01:17:48 | More by mralbertson

lucasj82

Indiana

4/5  rDev +1.5%

05-15-2013 01:13:31 | More by lucasj82

mikeburd1128

New Jersey

3.25/5  rDev -17.5%

05-12-2013 17:00:39 | More by mikeburd1128

karengarys

Indiana

4.01/5  rDev +1.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

pours (bottle) rich and dark, leaving a head that dissipates to lacing islands of small caramel colored bubbles. It is cold from the 'fridge, and will be done with my review before it warms up.

the nose of luscious stoutness is there - all malty, not hoppy. rich cocoa, coffee and raisins. This is really dark.

Taste corresponds to the smell, it is dark and rich. There is cocoa, and some sort of dry hoppiness finishing it off. Can't place my finger on it, but it is clean at the end.

Mouthfeel is very rich. I do not like English style beers, I think they are flatish. This is the opposite, so I like it a lot.

Overall, I can recommend this, and I would reach for another. I would look for this if I were in the mood to sip a rich brew on a cool evening.

Serving type: bottle

05-12-2013 04:44:24 | More by karengarys

Bucktron18

Illinois

4.26/5  rDev +8.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.25

A little late for a winter seasonal, but for a dollar a piece you can't go wrong.

Pours black with a good thick head that lasts. Smells of dark roasted malts and slight hints of burnt coffee. No hop aroma to speak of. Hits first with a strong roasted malt and dark roast coffee. Slight bitterness evens out the maltiness in the middle. Finishes dry with some lingering dark malt and slight roasted fruit flavors. Great mouthfeel. Light carbonation just barely tingles with each sip. Very smooth and drinkable.

Overall a very nice stout. Not to aggressive. A very good stout for someone who normally drinks lighter beers and wants to try something new.

Serving type: bottle

05-11-2013 17:45:48 | More by Bucktron18

ToddHolder

Illinois

3.75/5  rDev -4.8%

05-11-2013 02:12:41 | More by ToddHolder

MikeyA

New York

3.25/5  rDev -17.5%

05-09-2013 22:24:55 | More by MikeyA

rph97

Texas

4.5/5  rDev +14.2%

05-09-2013 22:21:38 | More by rph97

pcsnyder

Pennsylvania

4.25/5  rDev +7.9%

05-09-2013 02:19:53 | More by pcsnyder

tommyguz

Pennsylvania

2.25/5  rDev -42.9%

05-08-2013 04:09:18 | More by tommyguz

Tertullian007

Missouri

4.25/5  rDev +7.9%

05-07-2013 22:25:06 | More by Tertullian007

cpetrone84

Pennsylvania

3.88/5  rDev -1.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

Pour is black with lots of frothy tan head leaving a thick lace. Nose is heavy chocolate and roast, a touch of tree bark, and a hint chalky. Taste is also chocolate and heavy roast, faint ash, light hop sweetness in the finish. Body is lighter, soft carbonation and creamy feel. Fairly balanced and full of flavor with just a touch of lingering bitterness.

Serving type: bottle

05-07-2013 18:15:45 | More by cpetrone84

AndrewMichael

Virginia

4/5  rDev +1.5%

05-07-2013 00:50:14 | More by AndrewMichael

yesyouam

New York

4.05/5  rDev +2.8%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Magic Hat Heart of Darkness is a solid, black ale with a generous, soft, light brown head that has outstanding lacing and retention. The aroma is kind of tangy with a fair amount of dark roast. There's a note of caramel and some sort of spice. It's smooth and medium bodied with a dry finish that's pretty clean. It tastes pretty dry and roasty with just enough bitterness to balance it out. It is pretty tangy, but not fruity. There are notes of caramel and vanilla. A light, resiny bitterness lingers for a bit after the swallow. This is a really solid offering from Magic Hat. I can down a 6-pack of this with no hesitation.

Serving type: bottle

05-06-2013 01:59:06 | More by yesyouam

mcdsports

Texas

4.25/5  rDev +7.9%

05-06-2013 01:23:41 | More by mcdsports

johnyb

Florida

4/5  rDev +1.5%

05-04-2013 09:28:00 | More by johnyb