Heart Of Darkness - Magic Hat Brewing Company

TheManiacalOne

Rhode Island

3.73/5  rDev -5.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75

On-tap 2/23/2013 at Doherty’s East Ave Irish Pub in Pawtucket, RI, served in a US tumbler pint glass.

A: The beer is a deep dark brown color, with a thin off-white head that fades quickly and leaves a thick lace on the glass.

S: The aroma contains roasted malts, coffee, chocolate and a touch of hops.

T: The taste starts out sweet with a hearty and slightly smoky roasted malt character. Then some mildly sweet flavors of coffee and chocolate come in. There’s also some dark fruit flavor in the background along with some mild hops bitterness creating a decent balance. The after-taste is slightly smoky and slightly sweet.

M: Smooth and a little crisp, medium-to-heavy body, medium carbonation, finish is slightly sticky.

O: A little tasty, goes down ok, not too filling, decent kick, decent representation of style, it’s a solid beer but there are several other stouts I would pick first.

Serving type: on-tap

03-15-2013 17:20:59 | More by TheManiacalOne

ThePorterSorter

New York

3.99/5  rDev +1.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap at mcgreggors

The beer pours a black with a thin tan head that fades quickly. The nose presents some dry Irish yeast notes, a slight bitterness and sweetness. The yeast predominates the flavor profile along with some semi-sweet cocoa, and a slight bitterness. It's definitely drinkable with a semi-dry, stouty finish. It's a drinkable stout with a modest abv...one of the first magic hat beers I don't regret buying...

Serving type: on-tap

02-27-2013 01:28:15 | More by ThePorterSorter

merc7186

New York

3.89/5  rDev -1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap at McGregors in Amherst NY, poured into a pint mug.

A: Dark Opaque Hue, Passes No Light, Brownish Head Ring, Some Lacing

S: Chocolate, Dry English Malts, Mild Coffee

T: Chocolate, Coffee, Dry English Malts

M: Decent Carbonation, Medium to Full Bodied, Mildly Drying

Overall, very prominent presence of chocolate malts and coffee, not bad especially given that its a magic hat.

Serving type: on-tap

02-27-2013 01:20:22 | More by merc7186

jtierney89

New Jersey

3.5/5  rDev -10.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Deep brown with a finger of tan head. Roasted and burnt barley, full mouthfeel. Prickly carbonation burnt bitterness on the finish. Hints of coffee and dark chocolate. Nothing crazy here just a standard drinkable stout, wouldn't get it again though. Pretty bold flavor though for a smaller beer which is good

Anyone know why this is categorized as an english stout?

Serving type: on-tap

01-30-2013 23:16:48 | More by jtierney89

metter98

New York

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

On-tap at Rattle n' Hum, New York, NY

A: The beer is jet black in color. It poured with a half finger high beige head that has excellent retention properties and hardly died down.
S: There are moderately strong aromas of chocolate in the nose.
T: Similar to the smell, the taste is dominated by flavors of chocolate malts and also has hints of roasted malts.
M: It feels a little more than medium-bodied on the palate and has a moderate amount of carbonation. There are some hints of smoothness, but not as much compared to other beers in the style.
O: This is a rich tasting oatmeal stout that is deceptively easy to drink. The only drawback is it seems that it could have used more flavors of roasted malts.

Serving type: on-tap

11-03-2012 20:17:02 | More by metter98

claspada

New Jersey

3.7/5  rDev -5.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Pours a dark brown color with a small khaki head that doesn't leave much lacing as it recedes.

Aromas are fairly straight-forward with roasted maltiness and emerging chocolate and coffee notes.

The tastes follow the nose with the roasted maltiness and oatmeal graininess making their presence known. Some earthy hoppiness emerging as it warms with some coffee and dark cocoa.

The mouthfeel is medium to light bodied with moderate carbonation. The finish is dry and surprisingly hoppy, with some residual sweetness

Overall this is a very pleasant drinking stout, but a bit too roasty and hoppy for my preference for an oatmeal stout. Needs more oats to create than silky body which is necessary for a true winner in this category.

Serving type: on-tap

11-03-2012 14:21:51 | More by claspada

TheAmericanBeerProject

4.65/5  rDev +18.3%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Some beers are just cool, and this is one of them. As oatmeal stouts go, you won't find a heartier pour. My bartender commented when she started the tap, "Wow, that's dark!". It is smooth to drink, just a little bitter on the edges, and an all around quality beer!

Serving type: on-tap

10-28-2012 01:01:14 | More by TheAmericanBeerProject

northyorksammy

Ontario (Canada)

3.63/5  rDev -7.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Serviceable drinkable stout. A half a year past expiry, I don't believe it made a difference. Mellower stout which was nice, also noticeable watery. Refreshing. On sweeter side, Chocolate malts, modestly bitterness in mid-sip. Dark colour, understated coffee and roast.
2012 version:On draft at jfk5 bar nysb just tapped black with foam and lace
roasted coffee coffee ground taste
decedrinkabilityity mochocolateate as it warms
decent stout

Serving type: on-tap

11-20-2005 02:33:48 | More by northyorksammy

UncleJimbo

Massachusetts

3.68/5  rDev -6.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Sampled on-tap at The Sunset in Boston.

This stout poured a dark, black color with creamy, tan foam that settled but left some lace on the glass. The smell was rather minimal but some dark malty aromas, including a touch of coffee, could be detected. The taste was full of dark malt with a bit of coffee and chocolate. The mouthfeel was dry and smooth with medium body and moderate carbonation. Malty but on the clean side. This was a nice stout which seemed to be leaning towards a dry, Irish stout, more than an oatmeal stout.

Serving type: on-tap

03-11-2005 07:44:02 | More by UncleJimbo

Jacobob10

New Jersey

3.85/5  rDev -2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

On-tap @ The Field in Cambridge, MA.

Pours out as black as night with a small head. The aroma brought about some burnt and roasted malts with slight hops as well. The flavor was slightly bitter and really gave attention to the hops. The roasted malts were still present as well. Slightly bitter finish to it. Not bad overall.

What a treat to have this on tap. One of the more hoppy stouts I've had, but a good representation of an oatmeal stout.

Serving type: on-tap

01-16-2005 16:58:59 | More by Jacobob10

shippos

New York

4.08/5  rDev +3.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

on tap at the chapter house in ithaca.

poured with a tin chocolatly tan head and a black as night body.
oily aroma with walnuts?, had a nutty wiff there for a bit then faded away. smooth first sip, creamy mouthfeel followed by a prickly bit of carbonation around the inside of your mouth and smoothes out at the end. bit of roasted grain in the finish. very very drinkable, very excellent oatmeal stout. IMO.

Serving type: on-tap

01-05-2005 15:08:10 | More by shippos

Hefe

Maryland

3.8/5  rDev -3.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Tasted on 12/22/04 at R.F.D. from tap.

Appearance: Inky pitch black, with a thin (but sticky) brown head.

Smell: RoOoasty! ( coffee, bittersweet chocolate )

Taste: Chocolate malt, smoky, roasty, with notes of plum and an underlying sweetness. A slight bite on the finish.

Mouthfeel: Creamy and medium bodied.

Drinkability: Great after dinner sipper.

Serving type: on-tap

01-05-2005 01:47:28 | More by Hefe

UnionMade

Colorado

4.33/5  rDev +10.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

The beer pours a tar black, completely opaque even around the bottom of the glass. A thick topping of darkish beige mist coats the viscous looking liquid, leaving some blobs of lace clinging to the glass. Decent retention, dropping out almost entirely with a few sips left.
The aroma is very chocolatey, with a solid amount of oatmeal lending it's distinct, almost milky, smoothness. Heaps of roasted malt, with an enticing bittersweet aroma. Some charred grain and coffee, with a slight buttery tinge. Mild black cherry and fig.
The flavor starts with impressive roasty malt. A touch grainy, with a strong chocolate taste, along with a sweetly mellowing oatmeal smoothness throughout. Some coffee flavor, moving into a cautious fig, riasin and cherry fruitiness. A bit of slick butteriness in the mouthfeel. The finish is a restrained burnt bitterness, assisted with a pinch of grassy hopping. Very smooth and easy drinking, supported by slight, fluffy carbonation. A burly medium body, assuredly assisted by a bit of yeast presence. A lingering roasty aftertaste, with a suggestion of cherry cordial.
One of my favorite oatmeal stouts, and probably my favorite 12oz offering from Magic Hat. My only complaint is that this isn't offered year round, even though some package stores try to pretend.

Serving type: on-tap

02-15-2004 08:07:53 | More by UnionMade

xgrigorix

Michigan

4.47/5  rDev +13.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

On tap, presented in a shaker pint.

Beautifully black, topped by a dense tan coloured head. Head retains fairly well, & will come right back with a swirl of the glass. A thin sheet of lace leaves a trail all the way to the bottom of the pint.

Roasted grain, chocolate, coffee, & hops. Smelling this immediately relaxes me.

Dark chocolate, bitter espresso, raisins, roast grain, & a decent hop bite. Tasty hop burps. On the thin side of full bodied, smooth, with moderate carbonation.

Serving type: on-tap

12-01-2003 18:14:35 | More by xgrigorix

dwarbi

New York

4.28/5  rDev +8.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Light brown/khaki head. The beer itself is jet-black. Great lacing. Smells incredibly smoky. I heard the bartender tell someone this was a "smoked porter", and it's easy to believe. It tastes pretty light, and heavily of toasted oats. Great, tingly mouthfeel. Feels light, and is highly drinkable.

Serving type: on-tap

05-07-2003 18:02:25 | More by dwarbi

far333

Connecticut

3.33/5  rDev -15.3%
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

bewareOFpenguin

Massachusetts

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

It was two dollar pint night, and I spied this on tap. Poured a nice dark color, a pretty good head. Smooth, a taint sweet, and just a hint of coffee. It went down quickly, leading me to question, is it a stout? Maybe a sub-stout, bordering on a porter. Regardless, this was an excellent beer.

Serving type: on-tap

02-26-2003 06:43:53 | More by bewareOFpenguin

kaszeta

New Hampshire

4.33/5  rDev +10.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A thoroughly dark stout, pouring with a deep black color and a quickly fading caramel head.

The aroma is that of a good stout, with the chocolate malt tones coming through strongly, and a good amount of roasted malt. A *bit* of coffee smell, but on the "sweet" end of the coffee spectrum, not harsh.

The mouthfeel is very full and rather sweet. Unlike most stouts, while there is definitely that bitter flavor characteristic of stouts, this bitterness is rather mild, resulting in a very smooth stout. And it's lightly carbonated, so you don't have much of the acidic sting from the carbonation.

Overall, a very respectable stout, one of the best that I regularly have the pleasure of drinking.

Serving type: on-tap

02-25-2003 16:28:17 | More by kaszeta

stegmakk

New York

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

Pours dark brown with a tan and very lacy head.
It had a mild malty and chocolate aroma.
There was a malty flavor with a subtle sweet aftertaste. Overall a very good flavor from beginning to end, however a little too tame.
Medium bodied. Wish it was ceamier.
Not a bad brew from Magic Hat. I might put this into my beer purchasing rotation under the less frequent.

Serving type: on-tap

02-07-2003 09:56:34 | More by stegmakk

doerickson

Virginia

4.38/5  rDev +11.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

On tap at Cambridge Common. Black with a tinge of dark ruby around the edges. Three quarter inch fine bubbled tan head. Aromas of dark chocolate and coffee, with a hint of earthy hops. Light carbonation, medium-heavy body. Creamy mouthfeel. Flavors of coffee are up front, with some chocolate milky sweetness and a nice subtle hop presence to balance. This is a top-drawer New England stout.

Serving type: on-tap

12-02-2002 17:55:48 | More by doerickson

PincheNorteno

Michigan

3.09/5  rDev -21.4%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3

Poured from a 12 oz bottle into a pub glass. This is a very mild light stout. It's mildly sweet and malty without much complexity aside from a bit of subdued chocolate. It would be tolerable for a newbie, but probably a bit of a let down for someone who actually enjoys stouts that have kick. Not a whole lot going on here. There's a bit of head, some sudsy lacing, but it pours sort of flat.

Serving type: bottle

06-09-2013 16:44:08 | More by PincheNorteno

superspak

Michigan

4.2/5  rDev +6.9%
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

stckhndlr

Virginia

3.25/5  rDev -17.3%
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

karengarys

Indiana

4.01/5  rDev +2%
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 +8.4%
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