Heart Of Darkness - Magic Hat Brewing Company

Chas58

New Jersey

4.3/5  rDev +9.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a growler filled at Joe Canal's Iselin into my Firestone Walker Nonic Pint Glass

Appearance: Pours a jet black, almost sucks the light around it into the glass. A frothy head of two fingers grows on top an persists, leaving a nice lacing

Smell: Coffee is the first aroma that hits my nose, and as my second favorite drink, that is good. You are also aware of a Cocoa and Chocolate aroma that enters subtlety behind the initial coffee aroma. A subtle vanilla was apparent after several sips ( I do not like most vanilla, but this was well done) .

Taste: Delightful with a richness and complexity that delivers the coffee, Cocoa and some hint of hop. The taste is not sweet, this has a hop bite more reminiscent of a porter.

Mouthfeel: A very tight carbonation that accentuates the coffee and provides for a nice feel

Overall: The beer lies somewhere between stout and porter and that will delight lovers of both. I found this a nice sippable beer, but without any hint of alcohol, very quaffable. I think the complexity will satisfy the lover of Porters, and a stout drinker will clearly enjoy the richness. This is not Winter Aleor a spiced ale by any means, but a really solid hopped stout.

Serving type: growler

12-05-2012 00:56:28 | More by Chas58

thekevlarkid

Maryland

3.95/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Grabbed a growler of this after they tapped the last keg for the season. Out of the glass and into another this brew was an opaque, dark brown with a wood stain meniscus. Thin, one finger head of tan foam. Aromas of coffee, milk chocolate and hints of vanilla. Flavors were similar, chocolate, roasted malt, sweetened coffee and grainy oats in the finish. Very smooth drinking but the body seems a bit light for the style. Still, a good Oat Stout and glad I picked it up.

Serving type: growler

09-04-2008 14:10:23 | More by thekevlarkid

muffinman703

New Hampshire

4.63/5  rDev +17.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

One of my favorite imbibes from Magic Hat. Had to travel to the Artifactory to get it. Definitely worth the trip to get it.

The Heart is as advertised, dark (black). Putting the glass up to your wazoo, you get the aroma of a good hearty stout.
Taste is great, with a little more carb than a Guinness, for a small kick.
Finishes on the sides of your tongue and stay around to exhale through your nose.
I could drive back today for more of the Heart.

Serving type: growler

03-28-2008 13:47:07 | More by muffinman703

NEhophead

Massachusetts

3.53/5  rDev -10.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Back on tap (only at the brewery's store) for samplings and growler fills. Poured from the growler into a tumbler on 02.29.2008.

Pours a chocolate brown in color; near opaque with burgundy hues. Creamy, off-white head that plasters the glass' sides leaving sticky, condensed lacing. Lots of webbed lacing with good strength.

Milk and dark chocolate aromas; semi-sweet. Lingering floral-perfume with touches of medicinal notes and astringency. Caramel and dried coffee beans.

Caramel and bittered chocolate up-front followed by dark, fruity esters: fig, raisin, dark cherry. Hazlenut and coffee beans with a pleasant creaminess interact with the floral hops giving off a touch of must. The finish is dry and airy leaving a bland, caramel aftertaste.

Full in body; smooth, but dry in spots that give this stout an airy film-like texture.

This beer was a classic back in the day. Either my palate has changed since its retirement or the recipe has. Disappointing to say the least, considering how happy I was to hear of its return.

Serving type: growler

03-01-2008 14:07:01 | More by NEhophead

Brad007

Vermont

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

It appears that this beer has been resurrected.

Color: Dark black color with one-finger head.

Aroma: Smooth and malty with coffee and vanilla overtones. A bit of chocolate as well. Pretty sweet.

Taste: Smooth and malty upfront. Oatmeal shows in the middle. Smooth and coffee-like in some ways. Some chocolate as well. Coffee shows up mainly at the back of the throat

Mouthfeel: Smooth and dry. Oatmeal and coffee in the finish. The aftertaste lingers quite a bit.

Verdict: I didn't even realize that this was supposed to be an oatmeal stout. It's not bad but not the best I've had. Still quite solid.

Serving type: growler

02-09-2008 01:29:47 | More by Brad007

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

cpetrone84

Pennsylvania

3.88/5  rDev -1.3%
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

yesyouam

New York

4.05/5  rDev +3.1%
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

ocelot2500

Arizona

3.6/5  rDev -8.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours a deep mahogany color with a creamy, mocha head that leaves chunks of lacing.

Smells of coffee notes along with some cocoa.

Tastes of nice roasted notes with some sweetness to it. Notes of coffee and coca come through backed up by some brown sugar. Some oats come through in the middle along with a little nuttiness. Ends with a little earthy hop bite.

Mouthfeel is medium with a smooth amount of carbonation.

Overall, this is pretty good and better than I expected.

Serving type: bottle

05-01-2013 03:26:44 | More by ocelot2500

nUgZ

North Carolina

4.29/5  rDev +9.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

12 ounce bottle poured into a snifter.

A: Pours a very dark brown/black color with a half finger head and some lacing.

S: Really nice blend of roasted malts, dark chocolate, and espresso. Sweet and inviting!

T: Very much like the smell, with the addition of some smoke and a touch of bitterness.

M: Medium bodied with ample carbonation. Pretty smooth.

O: This is a very enjoyable stout. It's well balanced, tasty, and easy to drink. I prefer Imperial Stouts, but this is a great example of an English Stout.

Serving type: bottle

04-22-2013 00:54:15 | More by nUgZ

y2jrock60

Pennsylvania

4.16/5  rDev +5.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

A- Very dark black and opaque with a tan head with a fair amount of lacing.

S- Prominent bitter chocolate aroma with notes of toffee, caramel, coffee, and a slight sweetness.

T- Thick and smooth upfront with a roasted malt backbone that fades into a nice bitterness. Very well rounded. There is some sweetness in the middle and end as well.

M- Medium-thick bodied with low-moderate carbonation. It starts of thick and has a smooth texture.

O- A very delicious stout and well balanced. It's not overly complicated, but contains a great amount of character. The ingredients compliment each other without trying to overpower each other.

Serving type: bottle

04-04-2013 06:17:13 | More by y2jrock60

emerge077

Illinois

3.64/5  rDev -7.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75

Magic Hat's best rated and most widely available beer currently according to BA.
Production code: K29261, according to freshbeeronly that's Oct. 29 of last year, 120 day shelf life, so about a month past code if that info code is accurate.

Looks nice in the glass, copious lace forms delicate strands and webs around the edges of the glass, the creamy tan foam doesn't break after the first couple sips. Nice gradation around the edges, the lace blends seamlessly into the surface.

Aromas of cocoa, carob, roasted barley.

Flavors of chocolate milk, carob, slight amount of roast barley and ash in the taste as well. Mellow and fairly smooth, light carbonation, slight astringency. It's good, nothing groundbreaking, though i'll probably reach for local options before this, i'd drink it again and seek out a fresher sample next time.

Serving type: bottle

04-03-2013 02:40:38 | More by emerge077

bluejacket74

Ohio

3.69/5  rDev -6.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

12 ounce bottle. Served in a pint glass, the beer pours dark brown/black with about a quarter inch tan head. Both the head retention and lacing are decent enough. The brew smells like roasted malt, bittersweet chocolate, coffee and a bit of dark fruit. I think the taste is pretty much just like the aroma, although the dark fruit flavor is a bit stronger. It's also more sweet than bitter tasting. Mouthfeel/body is medium, it's creamy, smooth and easy to drink. I think it's a solid brew. Picked up a single at Liquor Barn for $1.79.

Serving type: bottle

03-31-2013 00:32:45 | More by bluejacket74

micromaniac129

Pennsylvania

3.94/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A pretty desent stout here. It has a rich deep darkness to it but not much in way of a foamy cap, bascially a foamy collar. The aroma has a deep roasted malt nose with underlying milk chocolate. Taste wise it's a little one dimensional. I really only taste roasted malts. Maybe thats enough since it is highly roasted. Usually one would taste other sutle nuiances but not the case here.
Drinks smooth and a bit bitter but also with that being said that also is an underlying chalkiness too. I like this beer it's quite good but also standard fair from Magic hat. What can they do to take themselvies to the next level.

Serving type: bottle

03-30-2013 14:20:28 | More by micromaniac129

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

Chico1985

Massachusetts

3.91/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

Under my cap it said "Booyah! Love Luke"...Free Beer From Work time!

Dark brown on the pour, no translucence but some red highlights. Tan head turns to a thick ring and stays that way.

Nose is a pleasant temptress - chocolate kisses, raisins, earthiness, dark bread.

Taste brings on some great roast and milk chocolate tones, some oats, bread and dark fruit. English yeast and some earthy hops. Has a bit of a winter warmer feel minus the spice.

Full mouthfeel with lowish carbonation.

Heard good things and I'm definitely not disappointed. Full, complex flavor in a low ABV stout, and the English-ness makes it rather unique. Very good.

Serving type: bottle

03-14-2013 23:39:52 | More by Chico1985

blakelive784

Colorado

2.86/5  rDev -27.2%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 3

12 fl oz brown glass bottle served in a snifter, reviewed live:

A - Pours a non transparent dark brown color with tan head, two finger head. It's decently thick but retention is poor. Meh.

S - Heavy roasted malts up front. Semi-sweet dark chocolates and dark roast coffee. Light sweet, burnt caramel. Moderate strength. Seemingly well balanced and inviting, but it's missing the complexity I look for in a great stout.

T - Thin roasted malts mingle with instant coffee. I'm a little disappointed. It doesn't follow through. No cream. Bitter coffee. A bit watery, even. Lightly sweet chocolate. It's simple and bland.

M - Medium bodied, thin and way too carbonated.

D - It's an average stout. Nothing great, but not terrible. I'd pass on it in the future.

Serving type: bottle

03-14-2013 01:41:25 | More by blakelive784

wingman14

Ohio

4.43/5  rDev +12.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

Pours black with brown highlights, with a mocha head. A very nice pour for a stout, a powerful smell, chocolate, roasted malt, and sweet notes. The taste follows suit, powerful taste, the roasted malt stays throughout, starts sweet ends malty. The roasted malt stays in the aftertaste, great flavors with good balance. A good mouthfeel for an English stout, medium-light, good carbonation, nice and smooth. Overall a great flavor, and easy to drink, a great beer, definitely worth checking out.

Serving type: bottle

03-09-2013 02:42:28 | More by wingman14

BlurryVisi0n

New York

3.9/5  rDev -0.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

Served in a pint glass.

Appearance: A very dark superior brown, not exactly opaque with heavy bubbles on the top of the body. Head comes off light tan maybe an eighth of an inch.

Smell: Light dark chcolate scent comes off strong but dissipates quickly.

Taste: Strong chocolate feel, an easy bitterness which is easy to get accustomed to. Definitely tastes stronger than what it really is. Heavty malts, with light molasses, IMHO...worth buying.

Mouth: Medium with a slight sweet feel at the end coming off a little dry or maybe it's just me.

Overall: Good beer that I picked up in a variety pack not too long ago and definitely would be on the lookout. Doesn't hit you in the pockets and you definitely get a lot. Grab a glass and enjoy....Salud!

Serving type: bottle

03-05-2013 23:48:40 | More by BlurryVisi0n

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