#9 - Magic Hat Brewing Company

arguemaniac

Virginia

3.75/5  rDev +10%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 5

Had this one on tap about six months ago, this review is therefore from notes. However, I’ve had the bottled version several on several occasions since and I can tell you that the recipe hasn’t changed nor are there any problems with brewing consistency…

Pours an orange amber color with lass than remarkable head retention. Apricots and sweet, fruity malt in the nose. The very malty palate includes flavors of grain and very distinct notes of apricot and pale malt. A somewhat thin mouthfeel with a mild carbonation tang.

Though my review might indicate otherwise, I really like this beer. It’s one of those craft beers that are truly accessible to the unrefined palate; this exceedingly drinkable beer features a tasty, fruity flavor that isn’t too strong or too weird. In fact, not only is it useful in converting those who exclusively drink swill beer, but it’s also something that can be appreciated by those who generally prefer foo-foo drinks! Anyway, while it’s certainly far from the best brew I drink these days, I always end up buying a six-pack of this here and there… and I always enjoy it. Highly recommended.

Serving type: on-tap

12-11-2005 08:29:41 | More by arguemaniac

CastAStone

New York

4.33/5  rDev +27%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Tap from Buffalo Brewpub - about the farthest they let this beer travel. Essentially no head, no lace. Beautiful smell - very orange, very smooth. A little weak, however. I could say the same about the taste - orange, smooth (i.e. no hop taste whatsoever), other fruit flavors are noticeable. A lighter beer flavor, but not in the light beer way. Thicker than you might expect in your mouth. Very drinkable - you could easily drink this all night. My two non-beer snobs with me both were blown away by this beer.

Serving type: on-tap

10-24-2005 19:00:51 | More by CastAStone

Rootdog316

Virginia

3.98/5  rDev +16.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Magic Hat #9 Ale pours to a golden color with a light head formation and a crisp malty nose. Nor does it in the palate, where the fruit is not entirely noticeable upfront but becomes apparent in the finish. There's just a touch of it, and it accents the crisp, biscuity malt palate and slightly buttery Ringwood yeastiness nicely. A light kiss of hops punctuates the brew and makes it quite drinkable.

Serving type: on-tap

08-20-2005 22:25:36 | More by Rootdog316

HoorayBeer

Washington

4.7/5  rDev +37.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

I have been drinking this odd brew for quite a few years. It puts a different spin on beer. Sat down with it, and it had a nice clear amber color, with a 1 inch head, not too thick, it left quickly after pouring. Smelled great, of fruits, notably something like peaches or apricots, quite different than other fruit brews. Very sweet first taste, hits the front of the tongue. Very smoothe and easy to go down mouthfeel. I will keep coming back to this beer when I can get it. Always a good choice, keeps things interesting.

Serving type: on-tap

07-22-2005 15:24:56 | More by HoorayBeer

pentathlete

Virginia

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

Minimal head on the draught. Deep amber with nice carbonation. Fruits I can't identify blending with malts in the nose. Flavor is watery malty and just a touch of fruit..maybe apricot...a surprising little balance of hops. Thin mouthfeel, very light body, and the finish is watery and short. But this is a drinkable brew, no doubt.

Serving type: on-tap

07-15-2005 23:59:25 | More by pentathlete

Sycodrummer

Massachusetts

3.55/5  rDev +4.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Finally tried the flagship of the Magic Hat Brewery on tap from Woody's in Boston, Ma. Served in a standard pint glass the beer was a dull copper color with a bit of a pink tinge to it (similiar to Lindeman's peche). It was toped by a half-finger of white head,

Smell was fruitty with the obvious apricot coming thru predominantly. Behind that some scents on malt and definite hop could be detected.

Taste was similiar to the smell. Obvious fruit upfront, but not overpowering as in some other fruit beers. The apricot was there but it didn't interfere with the taste of the beer. Taste similiar to an American Pale Ale. Overall it was well-balanced and smooth to drink. Bitterness was slight to nothing, and the overall taste was not over powered by any one flavor.

Rather light on the palate without much noticable carbonation.

Very easy to drink and rather enjoyable. Not one I'll have time and again. But one I will visit from time to time.

Serving type: on-tap

06-06-2005 04:07:38 | More by Sycodrummer

thegiggy86

New York

3.45/5  rDev +1.2%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Had this brew on tap at Brooklyn's The Brazen Head.

Beer had an orange hue.

I didn't smell much. Small whiff of apricot, nothing special though.

Not much of a taste, very light. Definitely a good transition beer for the less enlightened.

Frothy mouthfeel with not much of an after taste.

Very drinkable. I could pound these down remorselessly all day. Even those who find craft brews to be "gross" should like this.

This is my first review of a Fruit/Vegetable beer. Although I am not blown away by the beer's flavor, it has incredible drinkability.

Serving type: on-tap

05-24-2005 07:34:50 | More by thegiggy86

hungryghost

District of Columbia

3.93/5  rDev +15.2%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Had this on tap at some bar in Baltimore.
Copper orange in color, nice head, doesnt last too long.
Can smell the apricot for sure, pleasant scent, maybe a touch of hops in there too.
I really enjoy the apricot flavor of the beer. It is only a little sweet, I would have expected it to be more so. There is a slight hop finish to cut off the sweetness. Not a big fan a sweet, sticky fruity brews, but I'd make an exception for #9.
Mouthfeel gets a little sticky by the end of the first one; I had two.
Overall a satisfying beer.

Serving type: on-tap

05-23-2005 01:19:36 | More by hungryghost

mjc410

Virginia

3.3/5  rDev -3.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Presentation: Your standard 20 oz pint glass

Appearance: Very slightly hazy, has a yellow-golden color. The head is smooth rather than rocly, laces the side of the glass the whole time.

Taste: Dryer than expected. Can't identify the fruit flavors myself. To me, it didn't really taste like it smelled. Falls short here. Not very sweet or malty.

Mouthfeel: This was better, had a nice body to it.

Drinkability: Didn't like the taste that much, but of course there are far worse things out there. Middle of the road.

Serving type: on-tap

04-02-2005 23:38:39 | More by mjc410

bceaglejoe

Massachusetts

3.55/5  rDev +4.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Presentation: This beer poured red-orange into a traditional pint glass, with about a finger-thick head. Retention was decent. There were hints of light to moderate carbonation. A scent of apricot (and a light hint of hop bitterness) came through in the nose.

Tasting: #9 seems to have a little more hop character on tap than it does in the bottle. Either that, or it's slightly more carbonated. Nevertheless, it's still pretty good. Apricot is most prevalent on the tongue and in the aftertaste, with slight bitterness. It seemed more carbonated than the bottled version. It's a very drinkable brew, certainly good for more than one.

I actually like this better poured out of the bottle than I like it on tap. But it's still good. I've seen a few decent bars with this on tap, and that's encouraging.

Serving type: on-tap

04-02-2005 22:33:17 | More by bceaglejoe

ybnorml

Rhode Island

3.25/5  rDev -4.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

A clean amber/yellow beer with golden highlights. Has a nice white head. The aroma is very light and hard to pin down. I got some malt, hops and maybe some fruit in there. The flavor starts out with abit of malt sweetness followed by a gentle push of hoppiness. A distinctive apricot fruit flavor hugs your tongue on the finish.

Serving type: on-tap

02-21-2005 01:47:34 | More by ybnorml

BurghBrewPSU

Pennsylvania

3.43/5  rDev +0.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

A light golden appearance with a beautiful white head. The smell of fruit is very light. Upon first sip, the taste is delightful, sweet appricots and pears consume your tastebuds. After awhile, the aftertaste is weird. Its kind of sweet, with a hint of hops. Overall, its not too bad, I would suggest it to someone who enjoys fruity beers. However its not something i would order more than one of.

Serving type: on-tap

02-11-2005 01:39:10 | More by BurghBrewPSU

francisweizen

Australia

4/5  rDev +17.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On-tap at "Big Daddys Wagon Wheel Tavern" in Wuakertown, PA!This beer is a nice dark golden, peachy colour with a nice head. It smells of a light pale ale with some apricots in the mix. It tastes like more of the same. Dry and fruity, but not too fruity. A very light tasting beer with not much going on...this is immensely drinkable with a light mouthfeel and a good drinkability as well.

Serving type: on-tap

11-11-2004 01:44:06 | More by francisweizen

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

bignick

Massachusetts

3.75/5  rDev +10%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

This was a tasty fruit beer. I am not ususally a huge fan of fruit beers, but there are a few exceptions, and this is certainly one. The appearance is a clear, light orange. The smell of apricot is very strong, but the taste is a little more mild. It is not overpoweringly sweet or syrupy like SACW. The beer finishes dry, and it is overall a very drinkable beer that compliments most any food.

Serving type: on-tap

08-19-2004 05:29:22 | More by bignick

donnebaby

North Carolina

3.18/5  rDev -6.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Turbid dark gold color color with average head retention. Smell is light strawberry juice, not much else. High carbonation blew me away and left me guessing at the strawberry notes and faint hops in the aftertaste. Died quickly.

As it warmed, however, (Maybe it was served too cold??) the hops boldened and developed into a small but flavor-packed grainy, chewy little pack of hops, which spread out from the faint strawberry taste in the mouth and gave the brew a little depth.

Tried this at the urging of my brother with high expectations--and was disappointed.

Serving type: on-tap

08-13-2004 04:07:09 | More by donnebaby

bigone4

Rhode Island

2.95/5  rDev -13.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

I dislike this beer with a passion. It is way too fuity and it makes me feel like I am drinking a wine cooler. This is a different beer with all the apricot flavor but if I wanted that much fruit in my beer I would drink wine. Forcing the yeast through the apricot essence allows them to pick up many natural sugars before the brewing wich is a neat process. I have lived in Vermont for five yrs. and had to drink this out of kegs at parties. Beggers can;t be choosers but I would end up leaving and getting some Long Trials. Magic Hat makes alot more beers that are so much better than this one. I will leave this one for my girlfriend. At least she likes it. Oh yah it is very light tan and has a nice white head. It had some nice lacing of the glass. It smells like a bag of dried apricots with a hint of hops. Well taste it yourself and be your own judge.

After drinking this brew a few more times, it is really not that bad and I think my taste is maturing. All though it is not my favorite it does have some interesting flavors and the hints of apricot are some what refreshing and lighter for a fruit beer. It can be quite refreshing on a hot summer day. Oh well the pallet can change over time. I am glad to be able to try new beers and retry some old ones. Heck, sometimes you find something that you really like, that you thought you hated.

Serving type: on-tap

07-14-2004 19:34:03 | More by bigone4

gentlebubbles

Massachusetts

2.7/5  rDev -20.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

on tap at the Quarterdeck in Maynard

Orangey amber with very little head. I have a lot of trouble getting past this funky sweaty smell that gets in the way all down the glass. It tastes okay, sweet as apricot jam or duck sauce. Maybe a buzz of hops in the background.

Serving type: on-tap

06-17-2004 19:24:45 | More by gentlebubbles

pheurton

Pennsylvania

3.6/5  rDev +5.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

pours the color of golden nectarines with a foamy white head that peaces out with the quickness. light grain and pronounced aroma of summer fruits. steady carbonation, light to medium bodied. immediately refreshing and thirst quenching. subtle graininess gives what to a fruit flavor that is hard to put your finger on. i guess i taste apricots, but the flavor remains somewhat mystifying. maybe they were going for this effect. anyway, it works pretty well and is mostly enjoyable. light hop character finishes it off and is there for balance, mostly just staying out of the way of the fruit flavor. easy drinking and an interesting twist on the pale ale. kudos for originality.

Serving type: on-tap

06-13-2004 17:55:33 | More by pheurton

Dithyramb

Maryland

3.98/5  rDev +16.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This beer is surrounded in fruitiness. The smell, the taste, the tap handle, the name and the bottle caps are all “fruity.” The smell, the taste and the handle set it apart. I like beers that branch out, and try something different with the handle. It makes it easier for me to figure out the beers when I forget my glasses. I don’t dig the fruity sayings generally seen on the bottle cap. This may offend some, but I think that it is stupid, like the sayings on the bottles of Snapple. I haven’t had it in bottles for a while, so this review is for the beer on tap.

Pours a golden/copper color with a full, white, frothy head formation.

#9 has a crisp flowery nose with a strong smell of apricot and peaches. Nice lacing throughout.

The flavor is generally different, depending on where I drink it. I recently tried it at a brand new bar in Fells Point (The new Red Star, I’m currently trying to get it added to the BeerFly). When I have it and consider it “bad” the bitter apricot takes over, overpowers my taste buds, and leaves me dissatisfied. However, when it is right, it is downright goood. On those occasions, a real biscuity, malty, buttery, yeasty tones come out and balance the beer with those flowery flavors. This makes it highly drinkable, almost forcing me to have several.

Last night, it was nice and balanced. It went down well with both mussels and finger foods. When it is overly fruity, it is more like a fruit/desert beer and I don’t know what you would pair it with.

Serving type: on-tap

06-04-2004 18:06:08 | More by Dithyramb

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

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

MuddyFeet

North Carolina

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

An old favorite stand-by. Nothing special at all, but it is quite common in pubs around town. Better than all the light beers that proliferate my little hamlet. There is no head and a very weak lace aound the adges of the glass. The color is that of a rotten orange. It is sweet, but pleasantly so. The hops are ever-so-slightly bitter.

Serving type: on-tap

04-11-2004 03:44:18 | More by MuddyFeet

AllThingsNinja

Massachusetts

3.73/5  rDev +9.4%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

With little linger head; this orange brown brew wasn't much to look at. It has a faint apricot aroma. The flavors were a bit sweet, with a strong fruity body and limited hop spicing. It's a refreshing, quaffable beer, but not magic hat's most interesting offering

Serving type: on-tap

04-04-2004 13:30:57 | More by AllThingsNinja

Jacobob10

New Jersey

3.9/5  rDev +14.4%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

On-tap @ Peculier Pub in Greenwich Village, NYC.

Pours an orange color with a decent tan colored head. Smells and tastes exactly what it is supposed to smell and taste like: Apricots. The taste is by no means overwhelming. This beer goes down very smooth. Could definitely drink quite a few of these on a nice spring or summer day.

I haven't had a #9 since I spilt a bottle of it on my laptop about a year and a half ago, frying the entire circuit board. Everytime I see one of these, it just brings back bad memories of that day and I have not been able to drink it since because I get too pissed off when I think about what happened, haha. But, nonetheless, I do like this beer a lot and would definitely recommend it.

Serving type: on-tap

03-08-2004 23:01:28 | More by Jacobob10