Demo - Magic Hat Brewing Company

57md

Pennsylvania

3.43/5  rDev -0.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Appearance is dark brown with a finger of head that lingered a bit and left some nice lacing behind. The nose is mild hops, but pretty weak. Roasted malt is there, hops are there but overall this offering is pretty thin and pedestrian. As with many Magic Hat offerings, the best part of this beer is the artwork.

Serving type: on-tap

03-05-2012 06:25:56 | More by 57md

Apellonious

North Carolina

2.98/5  rDev -13.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

12 oz bottle, part of the spring 12 pack mix

A- Jet black, minimal head , thin lace sticks with the beer to the end.

S - Smoke, dry hops.

T- Like chewing on a burnt piece of wood that you took out of the
fire pit. The smoke overrides all other flavors. There is some chocolate malt and coffee notes, and some faint hops, not as much as expected. Dry finish.

M - Mouthfeel is good, decent carbonation, balance

O - Still not sold on the style. The overly roasted smoke taste has yet to click with my taste buds. If that is what you are looking for, give this one a try.

Serving type: bottle

03-05-2012 01:01:42 | More by Apellonious

Shaw

Florida

2.98/5  rDev -13.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Bottle supplied by the brewery.

Pours almost totally black, with a light brown head.

Doesn't smell hoppy, rather it smells like a brown ale or porter. Coffee and molasses notes here. But it's a good smell.

I can't say this tastes like a black IPA. It's more like a porter. The flavors of coffee and roasted malt are good, just not to style. Low bitterness and not much hop flavor.

Creamy body is nice.

Overall this beer is a fine porter. It's just not a black IPA.

Serving type: bottle

03-02-2012 04:50:57 | More by Shaw

VelvetExtract

Massachusetts

3.28/5  rDev -4.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A-Pours an extremely dark color. Nearing black. Looks more like a stout than anything else. Head is very attractive. Frothy head that is not too tall but retains its minimal stature and remind me of a frothed espresso drink. Head laces like a dream as well.

S-Soapy hop aroma is the most prevalent scent. Also a mix of floral and pined hops with coffee roast. Plenty of coffee in the nose. The hop profile is not overly attractive however.

T-Still soapy. Like a cup of coffee that didn't have the soap washed out properly. Aside from that, the pine and grass hops are back. Plenty of coffee again, but the mixture of flavors doesn't work well.

M-Pretty light, good amounts of carbonation too. The feel is npt the problem here whatsoever. A bit creamy too.

O/D-Overall I did not love this brew. Flavors were coarse and didn't flow. I am all about raw flavors in my beer, but this one just didn't meld well within itself. Not too bad, but this beer is evidence why some people avoid Black IPAs. Flavors collide too drastically.

Serving type: bottle

02-29-2012 00:14:13 | More by VelvetExtract

OWSLEY069

Pennsylvania

2.25/5  rDev -34.6%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 2 | feel: 2 | overall: 2

Pours a deep amber to brown in color with a tan head. In the aroma, a caramel roast and a bit sweet. In the taste, a small caramel like roast but a bit watery. A smooth and lighter bodied mouthfeel, with a dry small grapefruit and caramel like roast in the aftertaste. Hops came to play in the aftertaste, and the nose is bigger than taste, quite thin and watery.

Serving type: on-tap

02-27-2012 16:59:12 | More by OWSLEY069

BeerNoobNC

North Carolina

3.68/5  rDev +7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from a bottle from the 12 pk variety pack (not sure if it comes other ways or not). Expecting this as a black IPA that would be hoppy, this beer was a big disappointment. This is especially true since I bought the variety pack hoping for a good black IPA. With that, the beer was still pretty tasty, but tasted more like a well-balanced porter than a black ale. I gave the beer still generous ratings because most disappointing beers taste gross, but I would definitely like to taste more hops in this beer for it to be considered a black ale.

Serving type: bottle

02-27-2012 03:19:10 | More by BeerNoobNC

MoreThanWine

Massachusetts

3.5/5  rDev +1.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

The pour looks just like a porter. There's a 2" mocha head. The body is a dark burnt umber brown color, almost coffee. It smells first of roasted malt, then of coffee. It's taste is the reverse, first the coffee, then the roasted malt. The finish has a long burn which must be the hops, but the truth is many other porters or imperial stouts have very similar finishes. I wouldn't call the hops in this enough to reach Black IPA levels. To me, this beer is just a good porter.

Serving type: bottle

02-19-2012 13:12:23 | More by MoreThanWine

inlimbo77

Delaware

3.53/5  rDev +2.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

12oz bottle poured into SN pint glass. No bottle date or notches but this is the winter 2012 version.

A: Pours pretty darn dark black. Almost completely opaque color. Two fingers of tight bubbled head. Sheets of lacing.

S: I get mild roast coffee and dark chocolate notes. Surprisingly I don't get any hops. Smells like a porter more than a bipa.

T: Ok so I do get "some" hops on the tip of the tongue. Then the malt bill kicks in. Has to be black patent malts for that color. You get the chocolate and the soft coffee. It end with a smooth clean finish.

M: It's medium bodied even though it tastes of a porter.

O: It's a good beer but I wouldn't put it up there with the best BIPAs or Cascadian IPAs I have had.

Serving type: bottle

02-19-2012 01:55:36 | More by inlimbo77

JohnTerrizzi

West Virginia

3.75/5  rDev +9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Serving Type: poured from bottle into clear glass beer mug.

Appearance: dark brown almost black. completely opaque when held to the light. semi-tan off-white head that dissipates fairly rapidly. some lacing.

Smell: strong roasted malt aroma with hints of chocolate and hops.

Taste: strong roasted malt flavor with better cocoa after taste. some very faint hints of hops. the hoppiness emerges as you make your way to the end of the beer.

Mouthfeel: semi full bodied. nice carbonation. a little prickly on the tip of the tongue.

Overall: not a bad beer. more like a porter or stout than a black ipa. I was expecting more hops but I would definitely drink it again.

Serving type: bottle

02-11-2012 01:07:07 | More by JohnTerrizzi

NoLeafClover44

Delaware

3.58/5  rDev +4.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

12 oz. bottle poured into standard pint.

A - Almost black with a beige head. Splotchy lacing.

S - Very smokey, toasty black malts, some piney hops. A bit musty.

T - Burnt malt flavors with some sweetness. Finishes with smoke and hops.

M - Good carbonation, slightly creamy, medium bodied.

O - One of the best on tour IPA's thus far. Magic Hate did a very nice job in one of my favorite styles although I would have appreciated some more hops to solidify it as a (black) IPA. I am excited to see that Magic Hat has been using their "IPA on Tour" series to experiment with several different types of IPA's (Wheat IPA, American Black Ale, English IPA, etc.). All things considered, I enjoyed it very much.

Serving type: bottle

02-08-2012 06:17:21 | More by NoLeafClover44

MBrausen

Minnesota

3.23/5  rDev -6.1%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

A. Pours a brownish black, 2mm thick head, minimum carbonation showing

S. Smells of sweet fruit, barley and mild coco

T. Tastes of strong barley, heavy halt, strong grains.

M. Grainy and coars tastes, medium carbonation feel, medium body.

O. An okay beer. Nothing really popping that will make me remember I had this beer.

Serving type: on-tap

02-01-2012 20:51:19 | More by MBrausen

hosehead83

Ohio

4.03/5  rDev +17.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from a 12oz. bottle into a standard pint glass.
Dark brown/black in color, with a big rocky head of tan foam.
Aroma-Dark toasted malt
Taste-Roasted malt, coffee, subtle citrus note. Big roasty finish. Could have used a bigger dose of hops in my opinion for a bit better balance.

Serving type: bottle

01-30-2012 17:21:34 | More by hosehead83

FickleBeast

New Jersey

3.68/5  rDev +7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

12 oz bottle poured into a nonic

Pours near pitch black with a finger of off white foam. Aroma is predominately spicy hops, with some raisiny malt notes as well.

First sip is very smooth, minimal bitterness or hop bite at all. Slight metallic twang on the back end. Also surprisingly dry, without much malty sweetness. There is a sneaky bitter flavor that catches up to your palate a few seconds after you swallow. Flavor is lacking a bit. Hops are not assertive, and I get just a kiss of roasted malt.

Overall, not bad. Quite drinkable due to the dry mouthfeel. One of Magic Hat's better offerings, in my opinion.

Serving type: bottle

01-25-2012 03:18:45 | More by FickleBeast

JayS2629

Alabama

3.08/5  rDev -10.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Its a nice black. Pretty solid with a frosty off white head that does fade fast but leaves some chalky walls of lace.

Aroma of mild chocolate and lemon grass, a faint citrus hint with some grassy notes. Balanced and clean. Not much else.

Ok balance of mild chocolate, bitter cocoa, with some grassy notes. Wish there was more hops.

Ok medium body, easy drinking

Nice balance but kind of boring.

Serving type: bottle

01-21-2012 02:16:06 | More by JayS2629

vicsju1991

Pennsylvania

4.05/5  rDev +17.7%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Duvel snifter
A -huge expresso head, jet black body good retention and lacing
S - roasted malts, a little coffee
T - mostly coffee and roasted malts, tastes much more like a porter than the other black ipas i have had,
M - easy to drink very full and smooth
O - good interesting beer, would have accepted it as a hoppy porter or a black ipa

Serving type: bottle

01-20-2012 01:55:02 | More by vicsju1991

barleyroad

Pennsylvania

3.93/5  rDev +14.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Ah, DARK, like no light in appearance. Very malty in smell, lacking in that hoppy aroma. Mouthfeel is quite interesting, leaving the mouth nicely. The taste is a nice blend of roasted hops.This is a good black IPA, and the hops are grrreat. Indian Pale Ale just got married to a porter, wow. We have the hoppiness of a good IPA and the mellowness of a good porter.

Serving type: bottle

01-19-2012 01:39:27 | More by barleyroad

angrybabboon

Rhode Island

3.38/5  rDev -1.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

Review adapted from notes taken 4/11/11

Appearance: Dark brown with a thin but nice little head, good lacing

Smell: A dull burnt character - overall, very mildly roasted and burnt - a hint of grassy hops - seriously lacking in hops and chocolate that seem more appropriate for the style - this could probably pass for a porter

Taste: Similarly underwhelming - roasted, burnt, a hint of vanilla, some chocolate, some sweetness - NOT a bad beer, but also not a good example of an American Black Ale - lacks complexity

Mouthfeel: Medium body, crisp, nicely carbonated

Overall: I'm usually generous with Magic Hat, but this... this is not great

I'm hoping this is just a "demo" and that this beer will not actually be rotating. It tastes more like a weak porter than the style it is supposed to represent.

Serving type: bottle

09-01-2011 17:01:27 | More by angrybabboon

Durge

Connecticut

3.5/5  rDev +1.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A thick black-brown, a bit murky with some chunky yeasty bits tumbling out from the bottom of the pour. The head is a modest off-white with fair rings of lace in retreat. The nose picks up yeasty coffee with a vague citrus hop blended in and just a hint of chocolaty sweetness over it all. Interesting enough. The palate detects tangy coffee malt, almost like a sharper version of a milkshake but in a very watery, fizzy beverage with little to sink your teeth into. This does not portray the kind of black IPA I admire most which would feature more of the hops bite muted by coffee and malt complements. This seems more bent on the side of a thin porter or stout so that would be my main complaint, billing this as an IPA. Flavor wise it's good enough to enjoy a taste. I even pick up a touch of fruit nougat and maybe a slight vegetable edge. The IPA idea perhaps picks up a little more as you get closer to those chunky goodies in the bottom of the glass, but this still comes short of what has proven to be one of the more enjoyable styles in recent years. It's really not bad. I would just suggest they beef up the body a bit and bring out the hops a little (in the aroma and flavor).

Serving type: bottle

07-25-2011 02:19:21 | More by Durge

Knapp85

Pennsylvania

3.55/5  rDev +3.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Got a bottle from a good friend of mine. He was very excited for me to try it. The pour was pretty nice, a deep brown color with a pretty good looking tan head on it. The smell of the beer was hoppy and had some dark chocolate notes as well. The taste of the beer was hoppy, then it faded to a macho coffee type of aftertaste. The mouthfeel was too light for this style. Overall it was one of the better beers Magic Hat has put out in a while but still not that impressive.

Serving type: bottle

06-25-2011 18:36:21 | More by Knapp85

LuthersMug

Virginia

3.48/5  rDev +1.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

A - Very dark, almost black with a large creamy tan head with good retention.

S - Buttered biscuits and earthy grains

T - Immediately you are hit with toasted bread and coffee, also hints of dark chocolate.

M - Good.

O - Magic Hat puts out good beers. This style isn't one of my favorites, but they still did a good job with it.

Serving type: bottle

06-24-2011 05:40:46 | More by LuthersMug

ummswimmin

New Jersey

2.98/5  rDev -13.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

Poured from a 12 ounce bottle into a pint glass.

I wrote notes on this about a month ago, but I realized that I didn't get it into BA until today.

On the pour I had a ton of foam. The glass was more than a third in head. I thought that would mean a lot of aroma, but there wasn't much there. I only picked up some coffee and no real hoppiness coming off the top.

The flavor was mostly thin coffee with some roasted malts. I didn't catch any hop flavors. There wasn't much to the flavors. I hoped for more, but it wasn't there.

Serving type: bottle

06-22-2011 22:11:42 | More by ummswimmin

TheManiacalOne

Rhode Island

3.98/5  rDev +15.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from a 12oz bottle into a US tumbler pint glass.

A: The beer is a deep dark brown color, with a thin off-white head that fades slowly and leaves a thin lace on the glass.

S: The aroma contains roasted malts, grassy hops and some chocolate

T: The taste starts out a sweet milk chocolate flavor and a hearty roasted malt character. The hops presence is mild for the style but complementary and brings a good balance. The after-taste is slightly sweet.

M: Crisp and smooth, medium body, medium carbonation, finish is slightly sticky.

O: Tasty, goes down easily, not too filling, decent kick, good representation of style, this is a solid beer worth drinking for a while.

Serving type: bottle

06-13-2011 04:06:27 | More by TheManiacalOne

ferrari29

Illinois

3.48/5  rDev +1.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Beer poured from bottle into Pint shaped glass

A - Beer poured with a one finger dark beige colored foam; frothy in appearance, but fizzled away rather quickly; body color of the beer is dark brown; not as black as I expected but nice and firm; appears viscous but is rather liquid in movement with lots of floating yeast sediment; no visible carbonation; some nice lacing formed

S - Sour notes of yeast and grains; malt biscuit and some roasted notes also; ginger; coffee comes up after a while

T - Roasted malt flavor; kind of a sour feel on the palate; leaves a heavy deep coffee/espresso flavor on the back-end; slight bitter, hop, flavor on the tongue; touch of vanilla come up after retro-olfaction

M - Effervescent and light in texture; foamy at the mouth but washes down rather thin and quick; great combination of coffee notes and malt flavor; well-balanced attack on the palate

D - Good black ale; I really enjoyed it and could be shared as a great digestion drink

Serving type: bottle

06-04-2011 23:57:13 | More by ferrari29

spinrsx

Ontario (Canada)

3.68/5  rDev +7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12oz Bottle

Appearance - Dark brown/black colour with a large size frothy light brown coloured head. It is too dark to see the carbonation levels and there is some really great lacing. The head lasted for over 5 minutes before it was gone.

Smell - Malts, hops, chocolate, coffee

Taste & Mouth - There is an above average amount of carbonation and the beer has a nice well balanced full bodied taste. Lots of hops mixed with caramel and malts. Also some chocolate and coffee. There was a bit of an odd flavour to the beer that I couldn't quite figure out.. but it didn't hurt the taste too much. It finishes with a malty and hoppy aftertaste.

Overall - Black IPA's are quickly becoming one of my favourite styles. This is a solid beer that Magic Hat should have as part of their regular line up. It reminded me a bit of a junior version of the Stone S.S.S.R black ale. I'd buy it again.

Serving type: bottle

05-16-2011 18:06:13 | More by spinrsx

ToAzwethinkweizm

Maryland

3.83/5  rDev +11.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

Date: 8 May 2011
Glass: Standard nonic
Type: 12fl oz bottle

Pours a 1-finger head, reduces to heavy film, lacing is surprisingly sticker for a typical Magic Hat. Color is deep copper-brown.

Aroma begins with some roasted malts and coffee, lightly hopped. No other ingredients than that, but the quality of the aroma is rather nice.

Taste of roasted coffee leads the charge, even lighter in roasted malts, but specifically no dark malts seem to be large in flavor. Hops are present, but light and on the bitter side.

Mouthfeel is not a palate-destroyer, and drinks as a great dark session beer. As the beer descends down the glass, the following sips the hops seem to hit the taste buds before the beer actually hits the tongue, making this extremely enjoyable. Their "on tour" series beers always impress me.

Serving type: bottle

05-10-2011 15:47:59 | More by ToAzwethinkweizm