Magic Hat #9

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

Serve in Flute

12oz bottle. Pours a clear gold with yellow and almost gold highlights and a thick, short-lived, white head. The aroma is very interesting - subtle bready malts, a distinct note of malts, and a great contribution fruity element. The fruit in the aroma is mostly apricot jam with subtle hints of bitter fruit and berries. There is also a subtle spice on top of the fruit - no doubt from the hops. Overall, the aroma is quite intoxicating. I am strongly reminded of Dogfish Head’s ApriHop - but I think Magic Hat #9 did it first (and they did it with more balance: DFH ApriHop is much hoppier). The flavor starts with a soft malt character with a background fruitiness. As the beer nears mid-palate the wonderful combination of fruit and hops strengthens. The finish has a nice mix of earthy and spicy hops along with a great note of apricot and a subtle residual sweetness from the malts. The mouthfeel is this beer’s Achilles Heel - despite the great flavor, the texture of the beer is a bit thin and much more club-soda-like than the flavor would imply. It isn’t bad though - but a little more body and a hint less CO2 would have made this an even greater beer. Overall, a very drinkable and refreshing pale ale. The fruit adds a mesmerizing, refreshing, drinkable crispness to it. Very nicely done.

Pours a hazy orange with a tiny white head. My one word summary of this beer is "apricot", which dominates the smell, aroma, and finish. Body and carbonation are average. Finish is sour. I regret buying a six pack of these, given so many better alternatives.

Poured to a hazy gold, with a nice white head. Aroma was certainly fruity, and the taste followed. It was overly fruity (apricot?), and was decent, but not memorable. Dropped off the palate right away - perhaps it was too watery. Recommended by the cashier at my local liquor store, I’ve got to discount his rec’s in the future.

Appears amber with fluffy white head. Smells floral and fruity. Taste like ripe summer fruits, caramel malts, and has a watery but clean and bitter after taste. Carbonation is crisp. This is a decent beer.

Smells of apricot rotten fruit. This is not a good fruit beer. very watery and sour. Drinkable but not something I’d buy if better options are available.

This is average... The beer has a fruity flavor to it that is best for the summer and especially off tap. Refreshing.

Ratebeer kallar den en fruktöl och Magic Hat "not quite a pale ale". Magic Hat har rätt, men RB? Vad ölen är är svårare att säga. Trevliga dofter och smaker av en lätt men distinkt kryddighet. Toner av torkad frukt. En trevlig bekantskap.

Thought provoking is the best thing I can say for this brew. Nasty is the worst. The aroma is fruitty and interesting but the flavors are off with an unpleasant finish. The marketing slogan for this beer leads me to believe that Magic Hat brewed up a dog and tried to find a way to sell it rather than dump it. They should have dumped it.

Pours a hazy gold with a mellow floral aroma. Flavor is apricot and sugar. Not very good brew.