Magic Hat Circus Boy

Brewed by Magic Hat Brewing Company
Style: Spice/Herb/Vegetable
South Burlington, Vermont USA

The pour is everything you’d want in a hefeweizen: cloudy golden color with just a tinge of orange, two fingers of fluffy white head, and an inviting hint of citrus in the aroma. The lemongrass is there, without a doubt, and lingers on the palate well after each sip. But there’s very little to the flavor apart from it -- none of the spiciness or complexity you’d want in a wheat beer. Like the other Magic Hat offerings I’ve tried, it doesn’t so much disappoint as it fails to live up to expectations.

On tap sampled at NFB&WF ’08 at Martha Clara Vineyards. First of all, I’ve got to say, getting a souvenir Magic Hat packaged condom is a highlight of the event for me. I collect breweriana and this is my first beer-related condom! Mom will be so proud...

The beer itself was not all that great. Pours a cloudy straw. Aroma of yeast and some light spice. Flavor is very similar. Watery and light-bodied.

On tap. Hazy orange/yellow body with a white head. Sweetish banana/yeast aroma. Flavor is refreshing, fruity and a bit spicy, but quite light. Watery body and short finish. A lightweight but very refreshing.

12oz bottle. Hazy yellow, white head. Aroma of grass, lemons, and puffed wheat. flavor is of wheat. Light, easy to drink. Perfect on a hot summer day.

Appearance: Pours a hazy, pale yellow body with one inch of creamy, snow white head. Highly effervescent. Smell: Overall, a weak nose smelling of wheat crackers and with only the faintest notes of citrus and spice. For the finale, perhaps Magic Hat can pull a little flavor out of the hat and make my disappointment vanish into thin air. Taste: Abracadabra! Crackery wheat malt taste with a brief sugary sweetness. Very light everything: lemon, spice, fruitiness, hop bitterness. Bland, watery finish with a crisp charge of carbonation. Mouthfeel: Light-bodied. Well carbonated, from the first sip to the last it’s like a sparkling water. Drinkability: Somewhat acceptable for a light, summertime beer, but the lack of flavor leaves me underwhelmed and the never-ending carbonation leaves me feeling like I’ve downed an entire six-pack, so I doubt I’ll be hanging out again with C-Boy anytime soon.

Had this on Draft at Magoos. Not bad for a wheat beer, faint yeast odor, light ggold cloudy with little head or lacing, no strong spices, just tar temony flavors

Bottle - Ahh Circus Boy, what a trip. Had this a while back with a 20 or so beer session and it took the top spot for what ever reason. I think it was the overall pleasant weirdness that won us over(9) people) Texture, earth spice and hop mix just clicked, although I had this just recently and something about it just not what I remembered. Still, I like the beer from these guys and not at all bad, good stuff to try.

I’ve had better Hefe’s. But it has a nice body to it. Thats all I really have to say about this one.