Magic Hat Blind Faith

This is just an outstanding example of an IPA...I am becoming very fond of this style and this beer is part of the reason why.

I have had the good fortune of visiting Magic Hat Brewing, of South Burlington, VT. This is an outstanding Ringwood brewery, well worth the trip, take the tour, and of course sample at the tap room. What is ringwood you ask? Ringwood is a very distinctive ale yeast strain that has its origins in England. Ringwood yeast has a very "earthy" aroma and produces a by product called diacetal. Diacetal gives the beer a "buttery" flavor and mouth feel, some compare it to butter scotch, or pop corn butter. Some beer lovers can’t detect this. Others can and find it off putting. Then there are beer lovers, like me, who can detect it, and love it. A brewer really has to work with this strain, diacetal is appropriate in British ales, but not when the levels become too high. I enjoy a high level of diacetal, but I enjoy it more so when it is restrained, and the amount present is appropriate. With the proper amount, it gives a beer another dimension and makes it even better in my opinion. Most breweries that use this strain brew mainly British beer styles and use a Peter Austin designed brewing system. Magic Hat does use the ringwood strain, but doesn’t use a Peter Austin system. Ringwood is a very vibrant strain and open fermenters must be used when brewing this beer. I have a lot of experience with ringwood beers. I have had examples from about 20 brewery/brewpubs, in New England, the Mid-Atlantic, the Midwest, and even the West Coast. Of the 20 I have personally visited 15. Blind Faith is an IPA by style and it is a very good one. This beer pours to a deep golden color with a nice white head, and a good carbonation. The nose on this beer is fantastic. Very fragrant hop aromatics of pine, and citrus marry with the ringwood earthiness. The palate is a firm malt backbone of pale malts, and a touch of caramel. Crisp and biscuit like, slightly sweet, and with some nice butteriness from the ringwood as well. This beer finishes with a long, dry, citric, hop bitter bite, and more mushroom like earthiness. This is a fantastic ringwood IPA. Ringwood really adds another dimension to this beer. This beer is a hoppy IPA, and hop presence is a major player in this beer, but with the addition of ringwood it becomes even better. This beer is the perfect match for a good steak and a baked potato. It also works well with spicy foods, I would match this with Mexican, or Thai dishes.

This is a nice take on an IPA. Its malty going down, but hops are noticeable. The aroma is great, appearance, well its very nice!, overall, I like this beer alot.

I sleeper of an IPA.

Good beer to drink while watching bangbus to bangbus