#9 - Magic Hat Brewing Company

SHODriver

California

3.34/5  rDev -2.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

A: pours a light orange with a one finger ivory head that fades to a small mat into a nonic pint glass
S: fruity on the nose with hints of apricot and wheat
T: tastes of apricots on the palate with some creamy wheat flavor slight tinge of noble hops on the back end with more fruity apricot flavor. swallow brings a bit more wheat with apricots
M: surprisingly heavier than the 5.1 ABV let on. medium mouthfeel on the palate with slightly prickly carbonation. slightly drying finish
O: For an ale allegedly cloaked in secrecy their secret ingredient isn't much of a secret. It isn't bad but it isn't great. drinks pretty easy but it isn't what I normally go for.

Serving type: bottle

04-24-2013 03:41:16 | More by SHODriver

BrianJohnson

South Carolina

4.01/5  rDev +17.6%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.75

This is a beer that I have loved since my first taste! Very light, definite apricot/fruit smell and taste. Very light on the hops, very light mouthfeel. I would recommend this beer at a summer picnic or in warm weather, which I find surprising coming from Vermont. Overall, a very enjoyable, refreshing beer.

Serving type: bottle

04-23-2013 00:54:28 | More by BrianJohnson

doktorhops

Australia

2.93/5  rDev -14.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Magic Hat sounds like a brewery composed of magicians secretly toiling away with batches of beer using esoteric ingredients... that being said it says clearly on the bottle: contains gluten, apricot essence - mystery solved! If this is just beer with an apricot taste I for one will be disappointed.

Poured from a 355ml bottle into a nonic pint.

A: This brew presents with a clear apricot (I clearly couldn't resist mentioning it) body with a cream coloured head that sticks to around half a centimetre.

S: Apricot (of course!) aroma with a touch of pomegranate, a light toasted malt grain base and some vegetable/grassy hops in the background. The apricot really stands out and overpowers the other aromas.

T: Flavour-wise it is a little more interesting with the aforementioned aromas coming in to play and balanced off nicely with a buttery diacetyl, light hopping and dry finish. There's nothing heavy-handed about this brew (which can be a refreshing at times). The after taste however leaves a vegetable matter flavour like other cheaper beers would and this does not bode well for the final score.

M: Quite an English-style mouthfeel; mid to light bodied, light dense carbonation, not normally expected from a US brew.

D: The whole apricotness of this brew cheapens it once you realise that it's a flavouring added to the brew, hell anyone can add flavouring to beer - I could brew a vanilla-flavoured beer using vanilla essence but where is the challenge, and more importantly where is the craft? Say what you may but I am not a fan of beers that add artificial flavouring just to be different.

Food match: It is a refreshing beer to some extent and would match well with seafood, a decent summer salad thrown into the mix, also if we're talking red meat then lamb would go down a treat.

Serving type: bottle

04-15-2013 08:54:03 | More by doktorhops

jjamadorphd

Florida

3.6/5  rDev +5.6%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Had this since it was the only thing at the pizza place that wasn't from one of the big breweries. I was pleased.

Appearance was a dark golden, almost roasted color. The smell had a distant touch of citrus with the taste definitely mixed with a touch of oranges and other flavors. The beer is in the fruit/vegetable category, but it definitely tasted like a pale ale - and a good one at that - to me. The beer was highly carbonated with a thick feel, it went down smooth with little aftertaste. Overall, I was pleased, it was certainly better than anything else they were offering for brews.

Serving type: on-tap

04-14-2013 22:30:12 | More by jjamadorphd

manemota420

California

4.03/5  rDev +18.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

Appearance: gold and orange in its introduction. Leaves color but still very bright!

Smell:my sense of smell is a bit off but i did get some aromas of toffee very inviting.

Taste: comes as bland at first but gets a kick that had me trying to discover a taste.

Mouthfeel: Carbonated but not to the point of a big brewer. Still had room to enjoy the

Drinkability: A beaut! I had another one and was up to par. A good beer but has its flaws in sense of taste because I found myself trying to distinguish the taste.

Try it! its not a bad beer but some may be happy with another. Its not a top quality one but it is one to consider when you need a beer on a sunny day.

Serving type: bottle

04-11-2013 01:14:21 | More by manemota420

BlackHaddock

United Kingdom (England)

3.46/5  rDev +1.5%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5

Large bottle (pint and 6 ozs) drank while passing through the Panama Canal on 26 Jan 2013.

Slight haze to the light amber body, a thin white head sat on top.

Orange/peach type aromas, so fruity and semi-sweet in the nose.

The taste was more bitter than the smells suggested with a prounced hop presence especially towards the finish.

Fairly spritzy and lively: I enjoyed it.

Serving type: bottle

04-09-2013 15:08:27 | More by BlackHaddock

LiquidAmber

Washington

3.5/5  rDev +2.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured into a Seattle Beer Week pint glass. Pours a medium, slightly coppery golden amber. Thin off-white head dissipates to islands of foam and a ring around the glass with light lacing. Aroma dominated by apricot and peach with slight sweet malt. Flavor follows aroma, light sweet malt and apricot and peach juice with light hop bitterness. Finishes with residual bittering hops and light fruit juice, very slightly sour. Light bodied. An interesting fruit flavored ale that could use a bit more hop and malt character, but the fruit sweetness is deftly done and it is a refreshing, lightly fruit flavored beer.

Serving type: bottle

04-09-2013 00:49:34 | More by LiquidAmber

SebD

Ontario (Canada)

3.38/5  rDev -0.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5

Appearance: It has a nice clear golden/orange color to it. It has a nice off-white head that dies down moderately and leaves nice lacing.

Smell: The aromas definitely give out hints of apricots/peaches, some breadiness and grainy malts.

Taste: Like the aromas, it has some apricots, grainy malts, and a touch of breadiness. Fairly bland.

Mouthfeel: It has a medium carbonation with a somewhat light overall balance and feel.

Drinkability: It's a very smooth drinkable beer accompanied with decent flavors and aromas.

Serving type: bottle

04-07-2013 19:38:44 | More by SebD

Reidrover

Oregon

3.5/5  rDev +2.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

22oz from "Habits" in S.Salem. $2.79 First time i ever saw any Magic Hat up here. Clear golden ale with a large,frothy eggshell white head. Creamy apricot and toffee aromas..quite similar to Pyramid Apricot Wheat Apricot and semi bitter caramel malts..maybe a touch of hop in the very end. OK. Nice palate Not bad..good summer type beer.

Serving type: bottle

04-07-2013 17:23:05 | More by Reidrover

TerryW

Ontario (Canada)

3.43/5  rDev +0.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25

Pours a decent head that settles to a heavy film and leaves behind a fair bit of lace. Sits on top of a clear beer is appropriately apricot coloured.

Aroma is noticeably fruity. Apricots, a little bit of alcohol, slightly dry, not sweet or candy-like in any way. Tastewise, it reminds me of something like a raspberry wheat beer. Has a drying, metallic quality to it.

Okay as a fruit beer goes. Drinkable, but pretty average overall.

Serving type: bottle

04-06-2013 20:21:28 | More by TerryW

JohnFatAss

New Jersey

3.63/5  rDev +6.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

Magic Hat # 9 has a lot going for it.
It is a pleasant easy to drink beer. Slightly fruity. Hints of apricots in the flavor and smell.
The good news is that the fruitiness is not over powering.
On the down side, the beer is a little plain. It is basically a plain pale ale with a little fruit flavoring.
Overall, It is a nice enjoyable beer. Most people should like it, unless you are oppposed fruit flavored beers.

Serving type: bottle

04-06-2013 01:55:11 | More by JohnFatAss

y2jrock60

Pennsylvania

3.68/5  rDev +7.9%
look: 3.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5

A- Golden/Dark Yellow with a mellow haze, it's not crystal clear. The head was bright white about half a finger thick. It dissipated quickly but left behind some lacing.

S- A very sweet aroma with notes of apricot, pear, and celery. It smells very similar to its taste. I didn't pick up any malt or hop notes.

T- Very fruit forward and sweet, almost apricot like. It finished dry, almost tart, with a mild spicy bitterness that lingered.

M- Medium-light bodied with moderate carbonation.

O- Not a bad beer, it's definitely unique. If you're looking for a pale ale that's fruit forward and dry on the finish this is your beer. It's something that I'll continue to drink when I'm looking for something slightly different than your average pale ale.

Serving type: bottle

04-04-2013 03:35:41 | More by y2jrock60

flagmantho

Washington

3.36/5  rDev -1.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.25

Poured from 12oz bottle into a tumbler. I finally decided to give this a try, despite being possibly biased by the Georgetown 9lb Porter dispute.

Appearance: medium golden hue with a haze-free body and a thin layer of ivory head. Not too bad, I suppose.

Smell: light, sweet malt with a light biscuity character. There's also a light, almost strawberry fruitiness. Not exactly my bag, but not too bad.

Taste: strawberry flavor right up front with a light malt behind it. There's a little bit of harshness around the edges; not terrible, but there are fruit beers that handle this a lot better.

Mouthfeel: medium-light body with a decent carbonation and an alright creaminess. Not too bad, actually.

Overall: I guess if you want a lightly flavored strawberry-type beer, this might be for you. That said, though it does not suit my palate, it's relatively flaw-free. So, I won't be drinking more of this, but someone might want to.

Serving type: bottle

04-01-2013 14:40:01 | More by flagmantho

SometimesIfart

Michigan

2.48/5  rDev -27.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 2.25 | taste: 2.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2.25

A - Pours a clear amber with a moderately dissipating slight off-white head that stands two fingers in height. Left decent lacing.

S - A little bit of pomegranate followed by some malt.

t - Pomegranate up front, quickly followed by malt and some sour cherries.

M - Medium bodied with medium carbonation,

O - Overall, It was pretty bland and artificial.

Serving type: bottle

03-31-2013 00:07:28 | More by SometimesIfart

tomakeanend

California

3.33/5  rDev -2.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.25

I strongly suspect pomegranate is in this 'secret recipe'. Honestly, the beer was kind of a letdown. Too bubbly and friendly on the pallet to be truly deep. But, its flavor is somewhat unique. A kind of effervescent fruit ale. I don't see Pale Ale in it at all, but it is... different.

Serving type: bottle

03-21-2013 03:30:30 | More by tomakeanend

rlee1390

Indiana

3.66/5  rDev +7.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A-Clear orange, not much carbonation, one finger head.

S-Wheat, orange, lemon, apricots and green apples.

T-Sweet and fruity. Apply, oranges, tad bit of what and no bitterness.

M-Light not much carbonation though.

O-Had it before, never reviewed it until now. It was actually better than I remembered, but still nothing special.

Serving type: bottle

03-18-2013 21:57:24 | More by rlee1390

Kelly42

California

3.84/5  rDev +12.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

Not quite pale, for sure. I love the IPA's and and this has allllmost the flavor. My husband doesn't like the IPA's at all, but he likes this one, and I'm hoping this is the gateway. He tastes rasberry, I do not, but a slight fruitiness is present. Pleasant aroma, a little citrus, a little fruit. Lighter body, not too heavy, good flavor! Like alot, would enjoy again!

Serving type: bottle

03-17-2013 00:40:28 | More by Kelly42

JamesTurkey

California

1.93/5  rDev -43.4%
look: 3 | smell: 2.25 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 1.75

Appearance: Golden honey with a thin white head, which dissolves quickly and leaves little lacing. Good carbonation keeps it bubbling throughout.

Smell: Slightly sweet and fruity, but I can't put my finger on exactly what it is.

Taste: Some of the same as the nose: a little sweet and fruity, but I also get a strange buttery taste. Malt and bread presence at the end. Surprisingly light, quite off-putting.

Mouth: The carbonation offsets a slight thickness. I have nothing else to say here.

Maybe it was the fact that it had to be shipped to the West Coast, but this beer wasn't very good at all. A good flavor is key to a good beer, but it completely falls flat in that category. Unfortunately, this is one of the notably bad beers I've known.

Serving type: bottle

03-16-2013 22:40:15 | More by JamesTurkey

fx20736

New York

3.3/5  rDev -3.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.25

poured from a 12 oz bottle into a pint glass, served at fridge temp.

Amber minus one apple juice, clear with a thick, fluffy offwhite head. Nice lacing.

aroma: faint, apples wood, pale malt

mouthfeel is ok

taste; not much going on here. faint apple fruitiness tints the pale malt with only a touch of bittering hops. leaves a slight cidery aftertaste.

notes: pretty underwhelming. this goes down easy but has almost nothing to make me want to buy more.

Serving type: bottle

03-15-2013 04:59:35 | More by fx20736

Neorebel

New Jersey

3.51/5  rDev +2.9%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5

Pours a clear copper color, with carbonation and an average head. Minimal lacing. The aroma consists mainly of the added fruit flavors (apricot) and the hops.For the taste, #9 is a decent pale ale with the fruit infusion. In my opinion, it is not overly sweet/cloying as some have claimed, nor does it taste overtly artificial. It's a very light beer that can be quite a refreshment if you're in the mood for it. Personally, I dislike many flavored beers, such as Cherry Wheat by Sam Adams, and flavored lambics. (sugar bombs) Despite this, like I said, I enjoy this beer. For many (myself included) this is a great gateway beer to Magic Hat and microbrews in general. It taught me that beer can taste quite different from the BMC staples of American suburbia. Overall this is highly recommended on a summer's day, if you have a sweet tooth, or if you want to introduce someone to craft brewing for the first time.

Serving type: bottle

02-20-2013 17:12:04 | More by Neorebel

BlurryVisi0n

New York

3.74/5  rDev +9.7%
look: 2.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Served in a pint glass.

Appearance: Dark gold with very heavy bubbles on the body with slight haziness to it. Looks good at first but personally i believe every beer deserved head (no pun intended), and there is none, no head whatsoever.

Smell: Light fruit scent, peaches galore. you smell hops a bit but the fruit is pretty strong. It's not as potent as you would like but it beyond satisfy the nostrils.

Taste: Heavy fruit, obviously apricot/peach that lingers in your mouth. Hops to it but doesn't feel that bitter. You feel the

Mouth: Easily medium to heavy, this is crazy because the beer barely produced head. Sweet after taste coming off heavy in fruit.

Overall: After years of drinking this beer it is amazing that i have never reviewed it. it is good but when it comes to apricot beers there are a few other that take the extra step into perfection. Regardless Number 9 will always be a classic, when you go into a bar and need something to please most crowds on a hot summer night this beer is one of the obvious "go-to's". Enjoy one on me...Salud!

Serving type: bottle

02-19-2013 03:29:00 | More by BlurryVisi0n

scratch69

Missouri

2.79/5  rDev -18.2%
look: 3.25 | smell: 1.75 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3

I poured a bottle into a pint glass.

Appearance- Slightly hazy golden color with a fingers worth of quickly disappearing head. Light amount of lacing.

Smell- Funky almost rotten fruit aroma.

Taste- Faintly fruity sweet flavor with a faint floral hop aftertaste.

Mouthfeel- Light bodied and smooth. Light amount of carbonation.

Overall- I was totally disappointed with this beer. The smell was one step above nasty and the flavor was uninspired. The best thing about this beer was it's appearance and even that's not impressive.

Serving type: bottle

02-17-2013 02:20:21 | More by scratch69

bibidiva

4.28/5  rDev +25.5%
look: 4.75 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.75

Just tried this on a whim, and was a bit disconcerted when I first opened it. Checked my hands, and the candles I had burning, What was that perfume scent?? It was the beer, and I was thinking, oh, I'm not going to like this. I like things on the line of Fosters Green, Newcastle Brown Ale and the real Guinness stout- a touch of bitterness with some durable body. I don't like frufru beers dressed up with flavors. Glad I tasted it. The nose above the glass is strong of peach scent (not fresh peaches, more like perfume), which is pleasant, but not what I'm looking for. The taste is GOOD, with the aftertaste I like in a good ale, a little bitter, a little lasting on the tongue. The taste has a bit of mandarin orange, NOT peaches, which fits well with the body of the beer. It didn't linger in the aftertaste other than a little citrusy bitterness (which I actually enjoy, I like bitter tastes) or overcome the character of the ale. Speaking of body, a good fullness without being heavy, a little bit of zing, like soda water does. I wasn't expecting an adjunct flavor, but this one, which I perceived as the mandarin, was very pleasant. The only thing that is off-putting to me is the nose of peach perfume when I take a sip. Not fond of that. However, I will buy it again, see it as a good summer beer, and will offer it to my female friends who are reluctant to try a "better" class of beer but aren't fond of the stronger body that a good beer has. And of course, I love the wisdom of the bottle caps, but they've never topped "The devil is in the potato salad"!

Serving type: bottle

02-13-2013 00:34:47 | More by bibidiva

scot_chale

Minnesota

2.63/5  rDev -22.9%
look: 4 | smell: 1.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

A- Pale orange body, very active carbonation, 1 finger of pillowy head that hangs around. Very pretty beer. I love the clarity.

S- not too crazy about the aroma. it's faint, sour, and slightly fruity, but mostly confusing. The blend of this soury fruitiness kind of puts a bad taste in your mouth. Almost like rotting garbage or a septic tank.

T- It's drinkable. There's a fruit character that's not defined (i'm told its apricot), but other than that it's kind of thin. I'd say watery. I don't really know what they were going for here.

M- It's spritzy, but in a good way. It's kinda dry, which I like. It's pleasant in the mouth, almost lager like. Easy drinking.

O- Not great, not horrible, and a fun challenge. I think this is good for home brewers and craft beer drinkers to sit around and debate on what they get out of the flavor and aroma. As far as my take on it, i'll never buy it again, but I can get through these six without complaining. I have had other offerings from this brewery and I like what they do, this one just isn't worth my money.

Serving type: bottle

02-09-2013 23:29:55 | More by scot_chale

dar482

New York

3.41/5  rDev 0%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5

This beer is a less offensive than people make it seem. It's a good session beer. It has big juicy cherry and apricot flavors. However, it cuts off a bit short and tastes too sweet at times. I wouldn't drink too many at once.

The beer could use more complexity and body, but I wouldn't despise having this once in a while.

Serving type: bottle

02-09-2013 05:42:04 | More by dar482