#9 - Magic Hat Brewing Company

mattkoon

South Carolina

3.48/5  rDev +2.1%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

magic hat #9 is different from any other beer ive tasted. the smell is smooth with something else going on. its really hard to put your finger on it. there is a good bit of malt swirled with something fruity, but not too sweet. the taste is almost a little chocolatey, yet smooth and very drinkable. there is a slight bitterness but nothing too harsh. over all this is a pretty good beer when you are in the mood for something a little different. makes you wonder if the guys in vermont will ever say what they put in this one to give it such unique flavor.

Serving type: bottle

12-27-2012 00:43:23 | More by mattkoon

NuclearSoAndSo

Ohio

3.58/5  rDev +5%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured into a beer mug.

Appearance- Pours a two finger head; dark golden color when held to the light.

Smell- Floral notes with wheat; distinct raspberry aroma.

Taste- Raspberry undertones; hoppy with a tart sort of bite.

Mouthfeel- Very light body; medium carbonation. An easy drinker.

Overall- A decent beer. I probably wouldn't go out of my way to buy it, but a friend brought over a six pack to try.

Serving type: bottle

12-25-2012 14:43:31 | More by NuclearSoAndSo

silverking

Florida

4.05/5  rDev +18.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Alright, I tried this beer about a year ago and was not pleased with it. I bought some today, and I was pleasantly surprised. Pours a murky amber/orange with a thick white head that levels out quickly. It leaves a residual ring of foam with excellent lacing. The nose consists of apricot and mango with a hint of malt. The hops are there too if you look for them hard enough. The taste comes across very fruity with an underlying bitterness that eventually gives way to a pleasant malty finish. It has relatively low carbonation with a slight oily mouthfeel. I am enjoying every sip. I will definately purchase this beer again.

Serving type: bottle

12-21-2012 19:41:09 | More by silverking

thlayli87

New Jersey

3.85/5  rDev +12.9%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Poured into Magic Hat #9 etched pint glass.

A - Amber with one finger of head. Once head receded there was a small ring of foam around the outside. Minimal lacing.

S - Biscuity malt followed by grassy hop aroma laced with fruit notes, specifically ripe grape and berry.

T - Follows the aroma, with the fruity notes somewhat more noticeable. The hoppy and fruity flavors balance each other out quite nicely.

M - light to medium bodied with medium carbonation.

O - Pretty unique take on a pale ale and very refreshing. I pick this up periodically.

Serving type: bottle

12-14-2012 23:03:55 | More by thlayli87

jazzyjeff13

United Kingdom (England)

3.2/5  rDev -6.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

A 355ml bottle with a BB of May 2013. Picked up a little while back from Trembling Madness in York. Not quite pale ale - a fruity ale!

Poured into a straight pint glass. A clear golden-amber hue with light carbonation. Yields a large head of creamy white foam with good retention; this slowly subsides to a surface layer. Aroma of light fruity notes with hints of apricot, peach, melon and white grape. Underpinned by subtle caramel malt and a whiff of stewed hops. Dry, with a faint earthy note in the background.

Tastes of fruitiness and mild malt, with a dry finish. Notes of apricot, peach, white grape, grainy malt and stewed hops. A harsh hint of cardboard or overcooked veg in the background. Dry upon swallowing, with little bitterness to speak of. Mouthfeel is smooth and tingly, with pleasing carbonation and decent body. Slightly astringent, with an aftertaste of harsh stewed hops, cardboard and faint fruit notes.

Interesting, though not amazing. The light apricot notes are pleasant and smell good, but the underlying beer is rather lacklustre. The background flavours are somewhat acrid and unpleasant, as if little thought was given to this other than adding fruit. Body is light but OK. Drinkable enough and probably quite nice on a warm day, but imperfect. Worth trying for the novelty.

Serving type: bottle

12-08-2012 23:58:54 | More by jazzyjeff13

allforbetterbeer

Colorado

3.3/5  rDev -3.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Poured into a goblet.

Golden bronze crystal clear body under a minimal white head that disappears to a rim of bubbles after a few minutes.

Smells like a amber lager to me. Light hop-like notes play on top of generic grain aromas.

The flavors are subtle, but I believe I taste some mild crackery grains, and a floral bitterness. There is a bit of a twang in the aftertaste that I can't quite put my finger on.

The mouthfeel is average in body and carbonation. Good overall balance.

Conclusion: Not terribly remarkable, but not bad in any way. I am not sure what I am tasting in this beer, maybe carrots.

Serving type: bottle

12-06-2012 20:47:11 | More by allforbetterbeer

BlackBelt5112203

South Carolina

3.15/5  rDev -7.6%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

12 oz bottle poured into a mug at fridge-cellar temperature.

L – Pale amber color with a 2-finger white bubbly head that rapidly dissipates into a ring of bubbles surrounding the edge of the glass. Not really any lacing. Clear with lots of bubbles.

S – Apricots and bready, grainy malt. Not much in the way of hops; maybe a small amount of floral aromas.

T – Sweet nearly all the way through with bready, cereal, and caramel malt along with apricot. There’s a touch of subtle floral hop bitterness at the finish.

F – Thin-to-medium-bodied with good carbonation, a sticky and somewhat syrupy mouthfeel, and a sweet finish.

O – This beer is pretty average. It’s not a bad idea, and the apricot is a nice touch. The problem is that there are hardly any beer characteristics. The malt is there but weak, and the hops are pretty much nowhere to be found. I’ve got to say that I haven’t been very impressed with many beers that Magic Hat puts out. They’re starting to get on a pretty short leash when it comes to buying their stuff. That being said, the beer isn’t offensive and it is drinkable. If given the choice between this and BMC, I’d still pick this.

Serving type: bottle

12-02-2012 22:03:55 | More by BlackBelt5112203

CookstLiquor

British Columbia (Canada)

4.1/5  rDev +20.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from a 355ml bottle. Pours a really nice golden orange colour with a fine white head. The nose on this beer is amazingly fruity and floral with hints of stone fruits mixed in there. On the palate there's also a nice fruitiness, but natural-tasting, not artificial. There's a slight apricot flavour and just the right amount of bitterness to balance everything nicely. The mouthfeel is creamy and pleasant. Very easy-drinking and delicious.

Serving type: bottle

11-29-2012 18:21:12 | More by CookstLiquor

beergoot

Colorado

3.78/5  rDev +10.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured a crystal clear golden amber color topped with a thick, sudsy white head; clinging rings and lacing on the glass. Fresh peach aroma with hints of sweetened children's breakfast cereals. Strong peach flavor; subtle, light malt notes; interesting hop bitterness floats up from the background. Clean, dry finish.

I was 'prepared' not to like this after reading some of the other reviews. Yes, it's a bit too fruity for me, but then I'm assuming this is what the brewers' intended. With that, I'd say it's nicely balanced overall, easy drinking; a cross between a pale ale and a fruit beer (in this case, peach). It's not super-sweet or fruit-like, but the peach tones are there without hammering you too much. For my way of thinking, this is more of a "girl-y" beer with its sweet, delicate fruit-like qualities, but this wouldn't be bad for as a hot summer quencher (in moderation), at least until I could pour some classic pilsner-styled beers.

Serving type: bottle

11-29-2012 00:34:50 | More by beergoot

401J

3.53/5  rDev +3.5%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

S- Whoa! Apricot/Peach..

A- The color is great.. But the beer looks flat. Lacks head (never good)

T- Sweet, Clean, Medium finish.. Undeniable fruit

O- Interesting beer.. Bordering on a bit too sweet and fruity for me. But there is something undeniably attracts me to further explore

Serving type: bottle

11-24-2012 03:41:31 | More by 401J

lancecenter

Texas

3.68/5  rDev +7.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

A - Pours hazy yellow with a solid three finger head. Pretty good lacing.

S - Dominated by apricots. Maybe some peaches and pears. A little earthy.

T - Once again, dominated by fruits, mostly apricots. Subtle hops and dry finish.

M - Light to medium mouthfeel. I wouldn't mind it being a little heavier with a little more carbonation.

O - I find most fruit/vegetable beers to be overpowering. This, on the other hand, is very drinkable. It's an amazing mix of earthiness and fruit with the classic pale ale. It's not a five star beer by any means, but I feel it's a little underrated.

Serving type: bottle

11-22-2012 04:35:12 | More by lancecenter

brewskifan55

Mississippi

2.88/5  rDev -15.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Poured into a snifter

A: Clear amber with a white half finger head that dissipates pretty fast.

S: Funky, earthy, with some peach aroma in the mix.

T: Some molassas; sweet, watery. Light peach and some malts, just not much there.

M: Medium with good carbonation.

O: Borders on a boring wine cooler. Not impressed. A drain pour.

Serving type: bottle

11-21-2012 15:54:25 | More by brewskifan55

Lionhawk

Iowa

2.4/5  rDev -29.6%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 2 | overall: 3

extremely average out of the bottle but i have a totally different opinion on tap. I really enjoy the light peach flavor and light hoppiness, but i only get that on tap. i have had bottles 2 different times and i get the funky skunkiness out of the bottle. not good. on tap 3.5, bottle 2.5----average 3.0

Serving type: bottle

11-21-2012 04:11:23 | More by Lionhawk

TheSixthRing

California

3.1/5  rDev -9.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

Appearance - Pours a somewhat hazy, golden orange color with a white, finger width head. Good retention. Lace appears silky and with decent stick.

Smell - Predominant stone fruit aroma; peach or apricot. Hints at grainy malt beneath.

Taste - Follows the nose. Primarily a peach or apricot flavor from beginning through to the finish. Mid-taste, grainy malts kick in, and then a subtle grassy bitterness peaks through at the finish. Very little depth or complexity to the flavor profile, and it all comes across as a bit weak and artificial.

Mouthfeel - Watery with sub-par carbonation. Mostly flat. Terrible body.

Overall - Not quite a pale ale, and not quite a good beer. Comes across as cheap with artificial stone fruit flavoring. Definitely not a future buy, and I might pass if offered.

Serving type: bottle

11-18-2012 20:17:39 | More by TheSixthRing

NedShakeshaft

Ontario (Canada)

3.33/5  rDev -2.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

I imagine most of us have had this one, so I won't regurgitate the descriptives.

I believe this beer is overrated. That's not to say it's a bad beer. I first tried this a few years ago at a waterside bar in South Carolina after a long day of walking. It was one of the first American craft beers I tried and it was like a revelation to me. So wonderfully different, so refreshing and so unlike the macro-crap I was used to.

The thing is, the more beers I try, the less I want a #9. Try one after something like a Full Sail Elevation and it'll seem like candy-coated Coors. The brewery's latest offerings are much better beers. When I get one of their seasonal samplers I remove the #9, stick it in the cellar, then fire it into the cooler when it's my turn to bring the beer after the ball game, at which point it's at its best.

Serving type: bottle

11-08-2012 23:03:24 | More by NedShakeshaft

Phelps

Arizona

3.45/5  rDev +1.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

"The significance of #9," the brewery's website says, "is that it is far better than numbers 1 through 8. Number 2 was a Bamboo Wit; #5 a Grape Dubbel; #8 a Rainforest Nut Lager. They did not sell well."

The truth is, not even the guy who created the beer knows the significance of number 9. He does know how to craft a good-looking beer, however. Number 9 boasts perfect clarity, shining a pale tangerine-almond hue while a silky white head recedes slowly. Malts make the nose at once biscuity, bready and sweet. Some earthy hops balanced with caramel nearly perfectly.

Number 9 might be like any other pale ale if it weren't for its secret ingredient...people! Actually, it's apricot. Less exciting, but more acceptable. Not-so-secret ingredients include Cascade and Apollo hops as well as English ale yeast. In the flavor, these combine in a swirl of almond, caramel, wheat bread and ritz crackers with an earthy bite that kicks off a clean, fairly dry finish. Just a touch of sweet apricot is noticeable, which is nice -- it feels good to not be overpowered by a flavor additive. A fluffy, whipped body expands in the mouth but maintains softness with mild, massaging carbonation.

Now, if you had asked me to rank the breweries I would most want to see on Arizona shelves, Magic Hat wouldn't have been on the top of that list. It wouldn't have been in the top ten. Probably not the top 20, either. Magic Hat doesn't have the draw of Russian River, the solid base of Founders, the originality of Short's. What it does have, however, is an incredibly drinkable flagship that casual craft drinkers will find delightful.

Serving type: bottle

11-08-2012 05:50:21 | More by Phelps

jucifer1818

Florida

2.1/5  rDev -38.4%
look: 2.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 1.5

Appearance: average at best. Nothing memorable about it, but not bad.

Smell: Decent, smells like apricots. that's what they where going for, and its the beers best feature

Taste: Weak! it has very light appricot notes, but overall its a hard beer to finish

Mouth feel. Nothing memorable about this one, but its defiantly nothing good. bland and weak, its a well deserved 2

Overall: Not recommended at all, unless its the only beer on tap that isnt a AAL...because as bad as this one is, its better than miller light.

If not pass it, you can do better

Serving type: bottle

11-04-2012 17:55:22 | More by jucifer1818

BierStein711

Illinois

2.78/5  rDev -18.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

This was an alright beer, I was not too impressed.

half finger head with a light yellow color

smells of malt, I really don't smell any fruit aside from apricots

tastes of just malt

A little too thin for my tastes

Overall, my impressions are that I had a bad keg or something. I'll try it again in the future, but I won't go out of my way to do that. If it impresses me then... I'll edit my review.

Serving type: on-tap

10-31-2012 21:21:32 | More by BierStein711

heybrewtiful

4.48/5  rDev +31.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

This was the first "fruit beer" I ever tasted, and I was immediately in love. Superior on all levels when had from a on-draft pour, this beer has apricot and lavender notes and a tart, pungent nose. Slightly sweet with a balanced bitter counterpoint, this 'magic' brew has carried me away more than once. Bottled, it seems to lose some of it's complexity and roundness, so seek this out on tap when you can.

Serving type: on-tap

10-26-2012 21:23:20 | More by heybrewtiful

TBoneJones

Texas

3.35/5  rDev -1.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Looks very thin, light amber with bubbly action and a briefly lingering finger of a head.
I don't smell much here! Is it me? I finally whiff a hint of light fruit (peach/apricot), and some grain maybe.
Taste surprised me a bit. A strawberry carrot impression, and a tangy tartness follows.  Reminded immediately of Tweason by DFH which I tried a month back. This #9 beer though is not off-putting for what it tries to do, it's just not complex. Malt hint.  
Mouthfeel is medium to maybe thin, with average carbonation.  
I'm drinking this with a watermelon slice to eat, and it's not bad by any means, just not a favorite. I could see this as a summer session beer when you're not craving hops.

Serving type: bottle

10-21-2012 03:33:21 | More by TBoneJones

scvance

South Carolina

3.93/5  rDev +15.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Reviewing based on the bottle I just drank, though I've had this beer countless times from bottles, taps, and growlers.

Poured from a bottle into a pint glass.

Pours a clear pale amber color with a small white head. Smell right up front of apricot and other fruits. Slight hint of citrus to the smell as well. Rather sweet smelling. Taste is interesting, definitely get a lot of apricot, also tastes a lot like peach. There's a nice malty sweetness in the background as well as a citrus and spicy bitterness to balance things out. Medium carbonation and a medium body make this beer very pleasant to drink. Finishes nice a clean with a crispness to it. I have to say this may not be one of my highest rated beers, but it's one that I keep coming back to. It's so readily available around here and so reasonably priced that it's a really good value for what you get. I also always enjoy drinking it during this time of year (fall). So to sum it up, not the greatest, but an excellent value as far as what you get for what you pay for it.

Serving type: bottle

10-17-2012 21:47:51 | More by scvance

ocelot2500

Arizona

2.8/5  rDev -17.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Pours a hazy slightly orange, golden color with a frothy white head that leaves good chunk of lacing.

Smells of floral and fruity notes.

Tastes of a bit of fruity notes and... not much else. Some fruits come through upfront, which I assume are apricots. A bit of grainy sweetness comes through and adds to the fruit. Some lightly floral notes come through a bit as well. But overall, relatively light and bland.

Mouthfeel is medium with a smooth amount of carbonation.

Overall, this is what I remembered, a light, inoffensive beer meant to appeal to people who don't have a lot of beer experience. I think it accomplishes that goal, which is a good thing, but when placed in the grand scheme of things, it is not a beer that is worth going back to.

Serving type: bottle

10-14-2012 01:00:47 | More by ocelot2500

Beaver13

Colorado

3.15/5  rDev -7.6%
look: 2 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

12 oz bottle. Pours clear light gold with a small white head that quickly goes to a thin film that leaves a little lacing.

The aroma is lots of sweet sugary apricot.

The flavor is some wheaty malt with lots of sweet apricot and a little bit of a dry bitter finish. The mouthfeel is medium to full bodied with smooth carbonation.

Overall, very one dimensional - sweet apricots - but enjoyable. A little much on the sweet side for me, I prefer something like Aprihop.

Serving type: bottle

10-11-2012 03:34:52 | More by Beaver13

GeckoPunk

Connecticut

3.48/5  rDev +2.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Many other reviews are very similar to my take on the beer.
For my overall taste, it is slightly above average.
It's nothing to write home about, but I can't complain about it much
Huge apricot, almost too sweet for my preference.
Great starter beer for people just getting into "craft" beers
Great beer for many women who are used to mixed tropical spirit drinks, but not too fond of beer.
I've grown past this beer similar to my old fondness of Blue Moon. There used to be a time I really enjoyed it more than I do now.

Copied from VoodooBear:

Appearance: Healthy one and a half fingers of head that stay a while and eventually start to thin out. Swirling the glass around a bit brings it right back to life. Dark gold, very deep color, yet very clear. Leaves behind some great lacing. clings all over the glass.

Smell: Smells mainly of apricot hard candy, pretty sweet and pleasant. A bit of malt in the background as well. This is a beer after all!

Taste: Very fruity, without being overwhelming. It tastes of apricot candy, malty as well. Just a hint of hoppy bitterness.

Mouthfeel: Light, refreshing, smooth, very easy to drink. Good amount of carbonation. Semi-dry and quite tart despite the fruitiness. Very pleasant all in all.

Overall: A fun and refreshing any-time brew. Interesting in the taste department, but always feels like a beer. Perfect for when you just wanna sit back, relax and have some fun drinking a cold one. You won't be missing your go-to, 'run of the mill' lager when you have this "not quite pale ale" by your side.

Serving type: bottle

10-10-2012 01:42:25 | More by GeckoPunk

GilGarp

Colorado

4.08/5  rDev +19.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12 oz bottle served cold into a pint glass.

#9 is a pale golden yellow color with thin white head. It settles quickly and leaves no lacing behind.

Aroma is intensely fruity with big sweet appricot character.

Flavor is sweet up front and big on appricot here too. Not out of balance though as there is some mild hop bitterness.

Mouthfeel is light on body and nicely carbonated.

Overall a very nice fruit beer. Not sure about the "not quite pale ale" comment on the label. Definitely a fruit beer and should be proud of it.

Serving type: bottle

10-06-2012 00:14:37 | More by GilGarp