Magic Hat #9

Brewed by Magic Hat Brewing Company
Style: Fruit Beer
South Burlington, Vermont USA

Serve in Flute

on tap at brewpub. bright orange with a decent head, some lacing. fruity, apricot essence, dry, light acidity. aggressive carbonation, light body, very short and light herbal-citrusy finish.

Tasted from big bottle into nucleated pint tulip glass. The bottle label and the brewer’s website refuse to describe it, but elsewhere Magic Hat #9 is listed as an American Pale Ale with Apricot extract. Poured an interesting hazy orange color with weak orange-ish tan (!) head, no lace. Aromas of diverse grainbill (likely pale, caramel, some roasted barley,) citrusy American hops, mellow stone fruit, and pleasant but unknown esters. Intriguing taste: soft grain, biscuit, dark toast, ripe fruit, restrained hop bitterness, medium body, some residual sweetness with a surprisingly dry, toasty finish. A unique balance, nothing overpowering. This is a good example of a Belgian brewer’s credo, "if any single ingredient is immediately recognizable, it’s too much." I’ll admit the gimmicky secrecy kept me guessing. I really wasn’t sure what I was tasting, but I knew I liked it. Love it or hate it, but you gotta admit this is a seriously creative brewery. I’ll definitely try this and other Magic Hat brews again someday.

Hazy amber color; Medium body; Aroma of sweet malt, peaches, & spice; Flavor of slight sweet malt, fruit (notably apricot), caramel, and spice; Finish is slightly sour; Fairly well balanced; Pretty good overall.

Pours a light copper almost ice tea color. Aroma of clean air, no distinct aroma. Taste is dry and crisp with a passion fruit, apricot aftertaste. A very drinkable beer that was tasty as well as refreshing. I’d drink it again if I had the opportunity.

Pours a hazy orange with thin white head that fades quickly, leaving no lacing. Aroma is full of banana, wheat, and a bit of clove. Taste brings through some simple maltiness and a little bit of hoppyness. Not bad, but not great.

A beer that has become a regular in my fridge and at tailgates. Floral aroma with some citrus. Nice medium sized white head. Flavor is of apricots and other citrus fruit. Smooth and refreshing.

From a ’Night of Living Dead’ Sampler box. This beer poured a nice gold/amber color but had a very artificial aroma. Taste is rather flavorless, but not horrible. Drinkable but disappointing.

Bottle in NY. Who knows why but it´s a great brew! Taste is suprising with many different tones.