Magic Hat Chaotic Chemistry

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

great white thick head. dark orangish clear color. smooth and fruity flavor up front (cherry, pineapple, slightly sour) balanced by woodiness and vanilla. finishes bitter, dry, crisp. interesting beer.

Clear, light amber ale with a small, creamy, off-white head. The nose is of vanilla, alcohol, very light bourbon, oak and pomegranate. Earthy flavors of oak and bourbon. Also vineous with notes of vanilla, grapefruit, salt and light alcohol. Medium-bodied with a resiny mouthfeel and medium carbonation. Lengthy, bone-dry finish with bourbon and wood at the wee end. Very nice barleywine. My only complaint is that it seems a bit lacking in backbone.

DrewLaPalooza 2004. Thanks to Rockinout for this one. Small ivory head that was smooth and fine-medium sized bubbles that mostly diminished. Minimal carbonation, transparent and an orange hue. Malt, cherry, wine, and some citrus notes in the aroma. Sweet, lightly acidic, hoppy, alcohol hidden. Tingly and oily mouthfeel. Easy on the palate compared to other barleywines that I have previously rated. Cool bottle btw.

750 ml bottle, thanks to slob for the trade. Pours clear reddish amber with a small off-white head. Sweet aroma, with oak, maple, vanilla and lots of dark fruitiness. Flavor is sweet and woody, oak and fruity malts, hay, vanilla and somewhat dry with quite evident alcohol. Medium body and gentle carbonation.

1yr old or so gorgeous 750mL. Nice beer name too. Liquorous orange pour, surprisingly clear, very light white head. Very original smell, made me say wow despite my generally low expressive nature. This would score huge with me if alcohol was just a bit more used as a background warming flavour rather than as an integral part of the focus. Nose is smoky, caramelic, liquorous, alcoholic with big cask wood notes, hints at campfire marshmallows, mint and various hop types. Feels a bit like a hard alcohol cask at times, but woodiness is a flavour I truly enjoy generally and this has it in spades accompanied by this mellow honey character. Lightly tart, lightly astringent. Surprisingly rather thin bodied though still feels a bit syrupy from the overall low carbonation. At 20 dollar a bottle, most people won’t bother buying this, but it’s a great beer to share with friend once every couple of years I’d say.. and a nice bottle to admire every couple of days!

Aroma:alcohol,caramel,wood.... Appearance:amber,g head... Flavor:liquorice,alcohol,wood,caramel...

Dark honey, spicy. Dark orangey color with a medium creamy tan head. Sweet and cidery - apple like. Mellow, especially appley in the aftertaste. Brandylike in the aftertaste.

2004 750 ml bottle. Thanks to eyedrinkale for this in a face to face trade in Denver. Lots of dark fruit and molasses in the aromas and flavors. Some alcohol in the finish. Pretty tasty though