Odd Notion - Belgian Blonde (Summer 2009) - Magic Hat Brewing Company

almychristopher

New York

3.93/5  rDev +11.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

this beer pours a slightly hazy yellow with a white head that recedes to a nice ring of lace around the edge of the glass. the aroma brings a good range of belgian yeast esters, and a bit of malt. the taste delivers a nice sweet malt flavor, and of course the fruit that the nose lpromeised. the good mouthfeel and sweet finish make this a very drinkable beer.

Serving type: bottle

05-28-2009 05:12:36 | More by almychristopher

Stockfan42

Massachusetts

3/5  rDev -14.8%

01-18-2013 02:18:05 | More by Stockfan42

avisong

Virginia

2.5/5  rDev -29%

04-14-2012 19:11:33 | More by avisong

JohnnyMc

Ohio

3/5  rDev -14.8%

02-16-2012 00:48:56 | More by JohnnyMc

jharkins07

Ohio

3.5/5  rDev -0.6%

02-06-2012 21:20:56 | More by jharkins07

Goldfoot

Michigan

5/5  rDev +42%

12-16-2011 16:29:38 | More by Goldfoot

dave00100

Vermont

4/5  rDev +13.6%

12-10-2011 18:20:07 | More by dave00100

Burt

Rhode Island

4/5  rDev +13.6%

11-18-2011 22:40:37 | More by Burt

waiting4lunch

Massachusetts

3/5  rDev -14.8%

11-18-2011 19:56:53 | More by waiting4lunch

KajII

North Carolina

3.33/5  rDev -5.4%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

[Best served in a Trappist glass]

This beer poured a nice clear golden color with an very small white foamy head that was fully diminishing and left very little, if any lacing behind.

The aroma was malty to say the least with floral hops and a barnyard scented yeast with a slight hint of citrus and spices.

It tasted mildly malty and fruity in the beginning and finished quite yeasty with a nice citrus note at the end leaving the flavor to hang on only a short time after the swallow.

Mouthfeel was just a shade over light in body and mildly creamy in texture with a moderate carbonation.

Overall a nice summer brew. Although it is lacking just a bit for a Belgian Ale, it is most definitely worth a taste.

Mouthfeel was just a shade over light in body and mildly creamy in texture with a moderate carbonation.

Overall a nice summer brew. Although it is lacking just a bit for a Belgian Ale, it is most definitely worth a taste.

Serving type: bottle

03-10-2011 18:14:43 | More by KajII

brentk56

North Carolina

3.13/5  rDev -11.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Appearance: Looks like a pilsner, presenting a clear golden liquid that is topped by a foamy head which, unfortunately, fades altogether too quickly; no real lace but a few legs decorate the side of the snifter

Smell: Smells like a hefe brewed with Belgian yeast, as the banana and clove elements are very strong, though there is clearly a Belgian yeast strain being used

Taste: Banana bread, up front, followed by a strong clovey aspect through mid-palate; after the swallow, the yeasty phenols take their turn and challenge the hefe flavors

Mouthfeel: Medium body with low to moderate carbonation

Drinkability: An interesting combination that just didn't work too well for me

Serving type: bottle

12-01-2010 02:29:24 | More by brentk56

Milestone221

Pennsylvania

3.6/5  rDev +2.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 4

Appearance. Very golden with cloudiness inside. Little carbonation. Little head. Good lacing.

Smell. Pure pale ale. Very inviting. Citrus and noticeable hops. Very good.

Taste. I detect some fruit overpowered by hops. Bitter finish but very tasty.

Mouth feel. A little dry but light. Good not great.

Drinkability. Very high. Goes down really easily.

Average for a spring series. Overall good.

Serving type: bottle

07-10-2010 17:12:16 | More by Milestone221

tatoodkelt

Maryland

3.4/5  rDev -3.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

While visiting some friends in Northern New Jersey my buddy offered me one of these with dinner. Had no idea it was a Belgian Pale until I looked it up here.

Consumed 1/23/2010- from notes.

Brown 12oz bottle as pictured poured into a pint glass.

A- Kind of a faded gold with a fluffy finger and a half white head that settled pretty quick to a patchy skim. Mild but steady carbination bubbles.

S- Light fruit, mainly citrus as well as hints of cloves.

T- The same profile as the smell but a little bolder as well as some hop tingle on the back end.

M- Light bodied, crisp and not too much carbination tingle.

D- This ones a pretty easy drinker. Easy summer session beer but still worked well with a pasta dinner in the winter.

Serving type: bottle

02-03-2010 19:40:36 | More by tatoodkelt

stakem

Pennsylvania

3.5/5  rDev -0.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours a light yellow, slightly orange color with less than a finger of white head (not much retension and little to no lacing.) A bit of cloudiness about it brought on by tiny chunks of yeast sediment that happened their way into my glass depsite a careful pour. Nose immediately reveals what this "mystery summer beverage" as a belgian. It has citrus all over the front end of the nose with clove bringing in the finish of the smell. Taste is minorly sweet with malt, clove, and orange-like citrus. Picking up a bit on some sulfur twang as wel both in the taste and subsequently the smelll. Feel is medium to light with fair amount of carbination. Lingering taste of clove on the tounge and a hanging sweetness. Has a warming finish, more than what I expected for 6%.

Serving type: bottle

10-30-2009 22:41:45 | More by stakem

david18

New York

3.43/5  rDev -2.6%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Again, I'm not so knowledgible to feel that I don't need to have some idea of a beer style before I sample it. There was nothing on this bottle to indicate that this was a belgian pale. Flavor was pretty good (especially when I thought it was a summer ale), aroma was good as well. I will definitely get this again.

Serving type: bottle

10-02-2009 20:00:46 | More by david18

sinstaineddemon

Connecticut

3.15/5  rDev -10.5%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A - transparent straw colored, with a minimal fizzy white head, steady small amounts of carbonation

S - metallic and yeasty, with a slight bubblgum/banana type aroma, similar to a hefe

T - sweeter than i expected, the bubblegum/banana characteristics make it quite sweet, with a yeasty-bready foundation, much better than i thought it would be from the aroma, gets better as it warms

M&D - highly carbonated,lively on the tongue, but an easy session beer

Serving type: bottle

10-02-2009 02:52:33 | More by sinstaineddemon

glid02

Georgia

4/5  rDev +13.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Single picked up from Green's on Ponce in Atlanta.

Pours a clear light gold color with a 1.5-finger bright white head. The head recedes into a wispy layer on top leaving decent lacing.

Smells of light fruits - pears mostly - with citrus fruits and hints of candi sugar. As it warms alcohol aromas come out a bit.

Tastes similar to how it smells. Sweet malt and light fruit flavors up front with a syrupy underlying sweetness and a very light hint of citrus. As it warms it sweetens but the fruit flavors remain throughout.

Mouthfeel is good. It has a nice thickness with active carbonation.

Drinkability is good. I finished the bottle fairly quickly and could have another.

Overall this was lacking in detail but was a very good Belgian Pale. Worth a shot.

Serving type: bottle

09-08-2009 03:23:49 | More by glid02

mikel52588

New York

2.98/5  rDev -15.3%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Appearance: Very transparent, a light golden yellow, pretty much no head at all

Smell: kinda like a stale clove scent that makes you question, "what is that?.." as well as the hoppy scent

Taste: The first time I had this beer I thought it was terrible tasting but this time I think its not nearly as bad. And actually semi-good, it seems like it needs to be opened up a little and drank slightly warmer even if you are a fan of cold beer. The taste has cloves at the foreground.

Mouthfeel: A smooth malty flavor semi-sweet, still cloves are all over this, not much carbonation and not a terrible aftertaste

Drinkability: Eh, It's a once in a while beer, it has some uniqueness to it, but I wouldn't say its too great.

Serving type: bottle

09-01-2009 04:36:06 | More by mikel52588

jwarren2388

New York

2.9/5  rDev -17.6%
look: 2 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

Appearance: Poured a pale translucent color with a head that had no retention whatsoever, carbonation was minimal. Best date: NOV 09

Smell: Very yeasty, almost like liquid bread and there is even a touch of banana in the aroma. There are even some pungent touches of 'skunk' scent.

Taste: This beer doesn't blend as good as it could and should. The yeast is unbalanced and set that way by a astringent and metallic flavor with even some apple-esq sweetness and hints of clove that throw wrenchs in the gears. Ends on a smokey flavor that is somewhat unappealing; quite complex but not in a good way. Tastes so much better warmed up; let it open and it'll reward you.

Mouthfeel: Light bodied, decent carbonation but leaves the mouth with a film.

Drinkability: Since it is a summer brew it falls into the category of being light on a summers day but falls short of making me want to grab another.

Overall: Granted this is a tester thankfully Magic can still go back and decipher the reviews on it but in my opinion this batch is best left as a 'notion' and not as the next motion in brewing for them at least not with some major tweaks.

Added bonus: Cap reminds me that magic still has a decent offering:
"have a #9 to stop your whine"

Serving type: bottle

09-01-2009 04:16:41 | More by jwarren2388

BeerFMAndy

Wisconsin

3.9/5  rDev +10.8%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

12 oz bottle poured into a Unibroue Tulip. Best by end of July '09. 5.9% ABV.

A - Just a touch hazy, this pale golden-hued beer pours with a fizzy and loose white head. Low retention and no lacing what-so-ever.

S - A strong lemon citrus characteristic immediately jumps out of this beer. It's complimented well by an equally strong yeast aroma with a light spiciness and a touch of banana esters. Mild hops appear but are overshadowed and a light, sweet malt lingers in the background.

T - Once again bursting with lemony citrus and yeast. The yeast first produces a creamy feel and is followed closely by the citrus zest. I'm having a hard time deciphering from where the spiciness is coming but I'd bet it's the yeast, not the low-level hops. Malt undertones keep everything balanced decently but are far from forefront.

M - Smooth and somewhat creamy at first, the carbonation takes over and finishes a bit spritzy. Medium-light in body with a citrusy zest at the finish with a kiss of hops.

D - Good brew! Flavorful and well-layered despite it's month-past-best-date. An easy drinker that has enough flavor to entertain but laid back enough to be a good sessioner. Solid offering.

Bottom of the cap reads, "Do not Quibble with Iskabibble"

Serving type: bottle

08-30-2009 21:46:44 | More by BeerFMAndy

Billolick

New York

3.55/5  rDev +0.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Growler from Superstar Bev. in Huntington, LI, NY Pours light golden amber with a slight orangy hue, fairly minor head, just a film really and leaving nice looking fine lace and a bit of sheeting. Floral and minor bubble gum in the nose. On the lighter side both body and flavor wise. I do pick up a phenolic bubble gum note, more flowers and lite tropical fruit, or perhaps just some light lime. Fairly lightweight take on the style. Not sure why - but I expected a bit more.

Serving type: growler

08-28-2009 20:03:20 | More by Billolick

thecarster1

Pennsylvania

3.38/5  rDev -4%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3.5

a- bottle poured into a pint, half inch head that vanished so quickly, hazy honey coloring, little particles, whispy lacing.

s- big nose, loads of clove, banana, slight bubble gum.

t- milder than the smell, still lots of clove, spice, and banana, reminiscent of a hefe.

m- little on the watery side.

d- not bad drinkability, refreshing, good for summer drinking.

Serving type: bottle

08-26-2009 18:14:51 | More by thecarster1

Stinkypuss

Pennsylvania

3.4/5  rDev -3.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a 12 oz bottle into a mug. Hazy in appearance, light gold in color.
Aroma is of sweet malt and skunky hop.
Flavor follows the nose, big time banana and clove flavors and also the euro "skunk" type hop is in there too. Medium level of spice. Pretty much echos a hefeweizen, though it claims to be a belgian pale.
Mouthfeel is medium bodied and smooth.
A pretty good beer here, too odd to please some friends of mine, but I thought it was decent.

Serving type: bottle

08-25-2009 15:12:47 | More by Stinkypuss

thryn

Florida

3.6/5  rDev +2.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 4

Pours a slightly hazy straw color with a one-finger white head that doesn't last. Lively carbonation.

Smells of banana, clove, candi sugar ... like candy, basically. A little bit of hop presence there, but not much at all. Nice.

Doesn't come through quite as well on the palate, unfortunately. The flavors are all there, but don't blend terribly well, and there's a bit of a metallic thing going on in the finish. It's not bad, with big spice, citrus, clove and banana up front, but those are all fighting for top billing -- then the weird metallic bitterness kinda knocks the wind out of its sails. It's decent enough, but not great.

Mouthfeel's a bit of a letdown. A little watery. Needs a bit more carbonation and body.

A pretty drinkable summer brew. It's actually pretty good; just sorta meh for style.

Serving type: bottle

08-23-2009 06:54:05 | More by thryn

ditch

Virginia

3.18/5  rDev -9.7%
look: 2 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Yet another Magic Hat beer that overcarbonated. Very yeasty smell and flavor. citrus and spice also in there. has hardly any head with no lacing. again like a soda feel. This is only my 2nd Magic Hat beer and so for I am not impressed. Why are these beers so carbonated? It is from a summer pack and i can see how it might be refreshing on a hot summer day is it is kept very cold. Just not my style of ale.

a second try of this beer has proven a slight upgrade from the last. but still not something i will look for. definitely a summer beer but nothing to write home about!

Serving type: bottle

08-13-2009 20:49:03 | More by ditch