#9 - Magic Hat Brewing Company

Jdiddy

Rhode Island

4.47/5  rDev +31.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

This beer is just heavenly. I am yet to taste a beer from Magic Hat that I did not like. Great golden color, fruity aroma, sweet (but not overkill) taste.Great blend of Apricot. A perfect beer to compliment spicy food. I love it with Buffalo Wings.

Serving type: on-tap

05-27-2002 12:37:49 | More by Jdiddy

taez555

Massachusetts

4.47/5  rDev +31.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

"Beware the bore behind the Door"

This beer poured very clear orange/copper colored body. A finger size white head sat on top that took it's time to slowly die down.

The smell is in your face apricot. Very overpowering syrupy sweet smells of apricot.

The taste of this beer is amazing. It starts with a very soft bitterness and some light but very present soft malt flavor. What then follows is this amazing fresh apricot taste. As if you just big into a juicy ripe apricot and the nectar is flowing out. But at no time is the apricot flavor overpowering to the beer. It sits perfectly in the mix and finishes very dry and even.

Just like smoked beers fruit beers are an aquired taste. I myself love Magic Hat, but hated this beer for years. I think once you let down your predjudice towards fruit beers lumping them in with malternatives, you can really look at this beer for what it is. A work of art.
It's not for everyone, but another fantastic and original beer from Magic Hat.

Serving type: bottle

06-12-2003 01:28:39 | More by taez555

erica

California

4.47/5  rDev +31.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

I like this #9 stuff a lot. And I can finally get it near me! It's light and fruity and refreshing and not too bitter. It's a pretty orangey amberish colour with a bit of a white head, a tad cloudy in appearance too. It smells crisp and hoppy, with a big apricot punching me in the nose, but in a good way. It tastes great too, the biggest flavour I get is the apricots, followed up by hops that don't leave too much of a bitterness in my mouth. It's a perfect mix of fruit and hop to me. Mouthfeel is nice and smooth, very nice, and drinkability is great, I could drink this often, and I just might!

Serving type: bottle

06-23-2004 14:25:50 | More by erica

jubnat

Louisiana

4.47/5  rDev +31.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 5

Golden-orange color, bright white head. Very good aroma. The apricot flavor is great, not too overpowering, but not too subtle. It also has a bit of bitterness reminiscent of a pale ale. The flavors balance very well. The mouthfeel seems a bit too carbonated and the finish is slightly dry. Surprisingly, I could drink a whole lot of these (I tend to get tired of the flavor of most fruit beers). I never thought apricot would make a great beer. I never really though I like apricot either, but this is a great brew. I only wish it was available where I live.

Serving type: bottle

12-03-2006 00:30:47 | More by jubnat

Carpathia

New York

4.47/5  rDev +31.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Appearance: Clear orange color with a tall, pillow-like head that disperses to a thin, lacy head. Lots of lace on the glass, still fizzing on the way down.

Smell: Apricots and malt. Apricot is dominant, smell is overall pleasant.

Taste: Clean and bright with a dominate, yet mild to medium flavor of apricots and other similar fruit. Sweet, not bitter in the slightest. Thoroughly enjoyable at the pricepoint.

Mouthfeel: Fizzy, clean. Not too heavy, not at all light.

Drinkability: This is a definite session beer. It can be knocked back all night long.

Serving type: bottle

01-24-2010 05:16:02 | More by Carpathia

phideltashaggy

Georgia

4.47/5  rDev +31.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

I've had this many times, but I prefer from a pitcher at one of my favorite bars.

A-slightly hazy orange with a barely off white head and beautiful lacing.

S-Smells of fruit (apricot, apparently) and a slightly bitter hops.

T- More of the smell. I'm not usually a fan of bitter hops, but it offsets the fruity, sorta malty sweetness perfectly.

MF- Not exceptional, but very nice, the bubbles are present, but by no means off-putting.

D- I honestly believe I could drink this all night. The taste is great, but it's light enough that I could pound these back for hours.

Overall, this is one of my favorite brews, especially sharing a few pitchers with good friends and good conversation.

Serving type: on-tap

02-04-2011 23:31:10 | More by phideltashaggy

Ahoyhoyindeed

New Jersey

4.47/5  rDev +31.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Appearance: orange, almost orange soda orange
Smell: Sweet, hints of apricot and citrus
Taste: Light sweet flavor with apricot overtones, citrus under
Mouthfeel: Crisp and light
Overall: A good session beer for those who like a little bit of sweet in their beer. Can helps it make it as cold as possible which makes this a really easy beer to drink in a session but is far superior to most domestic sessions.
Serving type: Can

Serving type: can

07-14-2011 16:14:13 | More by Ahoyhoyindeed

ppoitras

Massachusetts

4.45/5  rDev +30.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

12ozer from a mixed 12pack from Yankee Spirits, Sturbridge, MA. Underside of bottle cap said "Buy your Gal Growlers with her Flowers" for those interested in such things...

Poured into a pint glass, formed a short-lived but substantial head, which left lace here and there as it receded down the glass. Nice lightish orange color, with a an easily apparent fruit essence. Not a big fruit beer fan myself, but this one just seems to balance so well with just the right amount of fruit input, it works almost perfectly for me. Crispness makes it a great summer beer as well.

Has become one of my "normal" beers over the past few years, with some holding down the fort in the fridge at almost all times.

Serving type: bottle

01-22-2004 22:07:50 | More by ppoitras

JasonCoop

Massachusetts

4.45/5  rDev +30.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

pours a nice amber color with large off-white head.

reeks of sweet ripe apricot. nice hop spice in there too. nice.

taste is sweet. ripe apricot flavor with slight bitter edge from hops on the finish. delicious. very refreshing. i'll get these again on one of the hottest days in summer.

mouthfeel is clean and crisp. fairly light. nice little ale.

Serving type: bottle

04-03-2006 06:47:05 | More by JasonCoop

orcasteve

North Carolina

4.45/5  rDev +30.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

this one i drank out of the bottle so for appearance i gave this the bennift of the dobut, this is a great light flavered beer, the flavor of approcats fills my mouth in the begining stays through the middle and leaves me wanting more at the end. i dont realy taste much else in this one. this is a beer that would be a great starter beer to get people who hate beer or only drink ABMC into craft beer

Serving type: bottle

09-28-2008 23:04:59 | More by orcasteve

TStandley13

Massachusetts

4.45/5  rDev +30.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 5

I have a special place in my heart for an ice cold #9. I know that it gets criticized for being mediocre, and that many people feel that Magic Hat is a "sellout" but I truly feel that #9 is a unique and quite tasty.

A - Orange and cloudy. Head is pretty white, and sticks around for a bit leaving slight lacing on my glass.

S - Fruity smelling, very sweet. Definitely detect apricots.

T - Fruity flavor, once again surfaces the apricot. Other fruits as well. Not bitter at all. Alcohol hidden very well.

M - Decent mouth feel but nothing notable. Pretty thin with a pleasing amount of carbonation.

D - I could probably put away a sixer of these bad boys and I would still crave more.

Serving type: bottle

02-01-2009 00:22:09 | More by TStandley13

beernut7

Massachusetts

4.43/5  rDev +29.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

This is an extremely drinkable fruity pale ale. Very smooth melded flavors of malts, hops and apricots. Great party and BBQ brew.

Serving type: bottle

05-12-2002 11:22:07 | More by beernut7

sublimesipping

Pennsylvania

4.43/5  rDev +29.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

partook of this beer as an afterthought, more out of couriousity and not expecting much. boy, was I wrong!. Beer served in a pint, pours a nice orange,lemon color with great clarity, good carbonation and wonderful glass lacing and a strong head on its shoulders. this beer smells of dried apricots and dried apricots or canned peaches. a yeasty smell with a strong fruity essence is how I would describe it. Taste blew me away with an intial bitterness followed by a strong but subtle resididual sweetness. Taste of apricot danish followed by a belini mimosa. detect hops and malt , hops and malt, and a delicate balance therein. Beer is wonderfully balanced and the fruit esssence gives it a hint of allure and dvrives the drinkability quiotient through the roof. a delicious session beer with a subtle punch. cheers!

Serving type: on-tap

05-13-2004 02:59:57 | More by sublimesipping

moulefrite

Massachusetts

4.43/5  rDev +29.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Pours a deep orange with a creamy, sticky head that leaves a generous lace down to the last drop. Tangy dried apricot aromas, on the palate a taste delight-sweet apricot, balanced with tangy hop. The beer heads in a sweet direction then quickly dries out and refreshes nicely. Washed down a baked haddock sandwich with great ease.

Serving type: on-tap

08-27-2004 00:58:16 | More by moulefrite

Scheity

New York

4.43/5  rDev +29.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Magic Hat is one of the biggest perks about going to school in Boston. My Vermont buddies go crazy about it, and for good reason.

Works best, if in a bottle, poured into a pint glass. A slightly reddish-orange color. Generally pretty small head.

The taste, a light hoppy taste with the apricot flavor -- great clincher, not overwhelming at all -- makes for a hell of a session beer. Take a whiff of it beforehand, it's got a lovely and full fruity aroma.

Serving type: bottle

02-07-2005 21:51:24 | More by Scheity

Brad007

Vermont

4.43/5  rDev +29.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

This beer pours a medium pale color with a head that dissipates quickly. Aroma is dry with hints of apricot. Taste is similar with the apricot complimented by a slight maltiness. I first sampled this beer 5 years ago and have not had it often since. However, I'm still impressed with the taste and as I have gotten older, I've learned to appreciate it more. One of Magic Hat's hints of brilliance and their flagship brew as well.

Serving type: bottle

05-03-2007 00:40:28 | More by Brad007

Reverand

Pennsylvania

4.38/5  rDev +28.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

I really like this brew. Great golden color with nice head that clings to the glass. The apricot aroma smacks you in the face from the moment the bottle is opened. I didn't think that I would like fruit beers but this on is alot of fun to drink.

Serving type: bottle

04-14-2002 03:47:06 | More by Reverand

Dodo2step

Pennsylvania

4.38/5  rDev +28.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Purchased at Market Cross Pub in Carlisle, PA.

I love this beer as i have had it numerous times. It has to be one of my favorites especially in a variety pack.

A-clear golden in color with a one finger lace. The head dissipates very quickly as does the lacey whiteness.

S-it has a hint of apricots and hops. A sweet yet bitter smell.

T-the taste also has a hint of apricot but it has more o f a mild hoppy taste.

M-fresh, crispy. It kindo f reminds me of eating iceberg lettuce. The freshness.

D-i recommend a case of this. Good beer and i could drink it all the time.

Serving type: bottle

02-02-2008 02:13:03 | More by Dodo2step

hdofu

Maryland

4.38/5  rDev +28.4%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

Strong smell of apricots, light brown color fizzy but no head. Taste starts mildly of wheat beer but overtime the appricot taste overtakes the taste buds. Medium bodied beer with a taste of apricots lingering afterwards? This is a beer I could drink more then one of.

Serving type: bottle

04-28-2008 02:13:46 | More by hdofu

LukeD23

Delaware

4.38/5  rDev +28.4%
look: 5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

I hadnt had this beer in about a year. I never remembered it as anything special, but I had one last night and man did I enjoy it.
Beautiful color and chrystal clear, no much head retention but I wasnt expecting any.

The smell was nothing special, slight sweetness not much hop aroma

Taste was mildly sweet with hint of almost a tart fruit finish, very nice blend of hops and malt leaning on slightly malty

Mouthfeel was light and vibrant, really felt alive in the mouth tartness hits on the front of the tongue and a short hop taste was left after swallowing

I think this is a very very drinkable beer, not to strong but tuns of flavor.. light enough for summer but strangely seems warm enough for a winter drink, I guess thats why its a not quiet pale ale.

Serving type: bottle

04-30-2008 12:43:25 | More by LukeD23

gboy515duo

Pennsylvania

4.38/5  rDev +28.4%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

#9 on tap at Jacoby's in Detroit Michigan. I was kinda scared to stray into what kind of local beer they had there, because this place was kinda pricey...

A goldenrod almost amber cloudy body with lacing and about 1 inch of head. Smells of mostly apricot and plum. There is an extreme lavender smell that resonates from this one. Smooth, hardly any carbonation what so ever, has a very floral, upfront fruit taste, and bitterness is minimal.

Overall, this is easier to drink than the bottled counterpart, in my opinion, but it is also fruitier.

Serving type: on-tap

07-26-2010 23:54:51 | More by gboy515duo

shand

Florida

4.38/5  rDev +28.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Just as an aside - I'm doing this review because I just had and reviewed a Southern Tier 422 and found it to be very similar to #9. I knew I had one kicking around in my fridge and decided to do a head to head. So please excuse all the references to 422.

Poured from a 12 ounce bottle marked best by November 22nd into a pint glass.

Appearance: It's a nice pale golden-wheat color with tiny head decent retention. It sure does have 422 beat in the looks department, there's some nice looking carbonation bubbles here and there's a bit of nice retention and lacing on the (minimal) head.

Smell: Sweet malts and apricots. Smells almost completely different than 422 ... did I imagine the taste similarity? Either way, it's a good smelling beer.

Taste: Well, at least I didn't imagine the similarity. #9 is a pale ale at heart, and you can taste it right away. It's a nice and crisp taste, with sweet malts and just a bit of hops. Then, Mister Apricot comes in and steals the show with some sweet fruitiness to round it up. Southern Tier 422 really does taste quite similar to this, minus the apricot. At least I didn't imagine that. This was one of my first craft brews and I still love it. It's best enjoyed as fresh as possible, I'd prefer there to be another three months or so on the best by date, but what can I do.

Mouthfeel: Crisp and highly carbonated. Really a perfect mouthfeel.

Drinkability: Very drinkable, as long as the relentless apricot doesn't get to you.

This was one of my first craft beers and is still a favourite. It's a great gateway to craft beer that just about anyone will have a hard time putting down. I always keep some around to give to friends.

Serving type: bottle

10-22-2010 04:48:38 | More by shand

MusicaleMike

Pennsylvania

4.38/5  rDev +28.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

I must say, I've had this beer before and never thought much about it. But this beer has taken me by surprise tonight! Poured my 12oz. can out into a stemmed tulip glass.

The beer is a fine looking ale, with excellent amber gold clarity and a decent-sized white head that pops over the rim of the glass and holds its ground for a long time. There is no fizzing away with the head, and as it slowly dissipates, I can tell that there is going to be some stickage on the glass.

The aroma is of apricots predominantly. Other than that, there is a slight hint of the malts beneath...originally, I thought I could smell a bit of something "metallic", but now as I continue to sit with this beer, I realize that I am mistaken. No metallic smell. Also, no hop aroma. It doesn't smell artificial at all, and it is quite appetizing really.

The taste is remarkable! Just the right amount of apricot sweetness up front, mixed with more light fruitiness from the English ale yeast. I detect notes of berries and some melon. The sweetness is definitely checked though by the hops. The flavor from the hops is non-existent, though the bitterness takes over where needed to make this a well-balanced brew.

The mouthfeel is just about perfect. The right level of carbonation, a soft rounded texture that really compliments the flavors, and the body is mid-range, so you maintain the drinkability while letting the consumer know that this is a fuller-bodied ale.

Again, this beer took me by surprise tonight. I definitely thought that I would have something mediocre, but this might be a new staple in the fridge...especially with such a good price! I wonder if it is because it is in a can that it made a difference? I think I will have to do a side by side comparison. Anyways, as for a Fruit Beer, it doesn't get much better than this. I'm not looking for fruit juice when I am having a Fruit Beer; I am looking for a beer with hints of a particular fruit.

Serving type: can

08-24-2011 03:09:16 | More by MusicaleMike

thehooksman

North Carolina

4.38/5  rDev +28.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

While this style is said here to be a "fruit beer," fruit beers must have a base style before the fruit is added. This beer seems to have characteristics that place it well within the bounds of an American Amber Ale or an English ESB. It's fruitiness and lighter than amber color leans more towards the ESB.

It is a slight hazy orange color with a thin white head. The aroma is of caramel malt, fruit, yeast. There is some faint sour aroma as well. The flavor is incredibly sweet up front (tastes like candy and cherries). There is just enough hop bitterness to kill the sweet for a clean finish. It has a medium body, not too carbonated and has a bit of cream.

Serving type: bottle

10-07-2011 01:46:18 | More by thehooksman

GeoffFromSJ

New Jersey

4.35/5  rDev +27.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured with little head but a nice lace. Could have been the bartender's fault. Good color, with a slightly malty smell. The taste was very good in my humble opinion. Mellow. Tasty malts up front although mild. Finishes with an apricot flavor which is smooth and not overpowering. The mouthfeel is very smooth as well. A very good beer.

Serving type: on-tap

04-17-2004 23:31:44 | More by GeoffFromSJ