Magic Hat Chaotic Chemistry

Brewed by Magic Hat Brewing Company
Style: Barley Wine
South Burlington, Vermont USA

Pours ruby red, no head (a bubble here and there). Aroma strikes me as cough syrup at first, but there’s some dark fruits in there,maple, and tons of alcohol. Taste is very mapley, vinous, with some weird dark fruit notes. Some chocolate on the finish, but it’s very shortlived. Aftertaste of Starbucks coffee liquer. Mouthfeel is thick, way overly slick, sticky and incredibly hot. Hotter than most beers with 4-5% more ABV. What a strange beer. I wouldn’t mind giving this another try, but damn if it isn’t a weird beer.

On tap at The Blue Tusk, Syracuse, NY, 3/27/2007. Cloudy amber colored with a thin off white head. Aroma of vanilla, oak, pine resin, and some vinousness. Flavor is quite mellow as compared to the aroma. This isn’t a hophead’s barley wine, as I’m sure the 36 months in the barrel mellowed the hops out quite a bit. The flavor has notes of vanilla, port, tobacco, and is smooth and easy to drink. I was expecting this to have a huge bourbon profile, but it was actually quite subdued. Mild alcohol burn. Viscous mouthfeel with a low level of carbonation.

On tap at MacGregor’s. Aroma of alcohol. Flavor od alcohol. Glad I had this at end of night as not to ruin tastebuds for the other beers.

Wow this was unique and good. Shared a glass with friends at MacGregor’s. Was much more like an after dinner drink than a beer (cognac?) Very alcoholic aroma, brandy. Dark orange hazy appearance. Sticky sweet palate. Different than other barley wines I had. They don’t seem to fit a pattern.

On tap at the Beerinator gathering courtesy of Ken of Big Boss Brewing. Thanks Ken! Damn, this shit had quite the nose, smelled like a glass a bourbon with a little water. Flavor folllows suit and I really couldnt taste anything else besides bourbon type flavors. I drank a couple sips, and then poured out the rest. 10.8% is all there. A little too much for me in this one.

Lets give this beer credit - it’s very different and i love that the brewery let us try one of their experiments. They all should do the same I dont really love the beer but I’m glad i got to try it!!!!!! Shouldnt we all want to try great different beers like this??? - even if they arent the best?

Batch 3, bottle 303 @ Cole’s BW fest. Sweet honey amber, nearly still, no head. Nose is port, alcohol, no real wood but rich vanilla. Flavor is alcohol, whiskey, raisin/port, vanilla. Hot but appropriate.

Out of the bottle at Barleywine festival. Great taste, no head that I could see but clearn and creamy...was a good smooth barleywine. But not as good as some I tasted this day. Still, if you get a chance, have a sip.