Magic Hat Odd Notion - Chocolate Belgian Stout (Fall 09)

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

Tasted 1/3/10. 12oz bottle. Activated pour and a rather dark, opaque hue. Spiral and ring of khaki head. Aromas of coffee, citrus and chocolate. Good malty aromas with woody and cocoa hints. Full bodied with a smooth malt bill, but there is some serious bitterness in this brew. Rather dry with an odd fruitiness. This is good, but something in the palate just doesn’t jib all the way with me. There’s an earthy aspect intermingling with the cocoa and chocolate flavors. Mild effervescence. Moderate acidity. Not too bad.

Situation: Watching The Wizard of Oz for the first time straight through... Glassware: Yuengling pint... Appearance: dark black body witha crackling, foamy brown head that settles in time to a ring... Aroma: sweet lactic fragrance with a toasted element; fresh and vivacious... Palate: warm, smooth body with the presence to be reckoned with; effervescent if not a bit slick or oily... Taste: chocolatey and thick, like a microwaved milkshake--not sure if that is a compliment, but it fits... Overall: among the autumn sample, this one pleased me with its mellow approach and its complimentary place among party food fare. The odd notion was not odd at all, actually--a solid stout...

12 oz bottle: Pours a thick motor oil black with a thin tan head that diminishes quickly. Aroma is cocoa, dark caramel malt characteristic, some banana, and a very light hop spice to this brew. Taste is initially chocolate, coffee, roast, then mildly melds into slight belgian characteristics, fruits, banana, yeast, spice, then finishes more of a Stout/Quad. OVerall, Aroma didn’t blow me away but the way this brew plays around with your tastebuds is quite intersting. Cheers!

bottle from variety pack picked up at kegs and barrels. poured black with a tan head and some spotted lacing. aroma was very pleasant with dark roast, dark fruit, some licorice, and chocolate syrup. flavor was equally as good with dark roast, licorice, alcohol, baking cocoa, and chocolate syrup that lingers on the finish. body was medium with a slick feeling and and low carbonation. i was surprised by this and so far feel this is their best offering.

Excited to find a couple singles of this one since I really never desired to buy the entire mixed twelve pack just to be able to have these. Ended up being a fairly typical lackluster effort from Magic Hat. Milk chocolate, faint roastiness and cherries in the aroma backed by a lot of crystal malt and some noble hops. Dark chestnut pour, filmy tan head, and good lacing. Medium to light bodied, stale aftertaste and a nice bitterness. Dark fruit flavors with toasted nuts and light chocolate. Slightly sour tang and a subtle earthiness. I was a bit let down, but that’s my fault for getting excited about a Magic Hat brew in the first place.

Appearance: Empties out of the typical whimsical Magic Hat bottle a black body with a frothy, dark tan-colored head. Smell: Chocolaty, lightly roasty, smoky aroma with round-about notes of cracked cloves, ripe plums, and oven-smoked ’nanas mingled within. Taste: Roasty, toasty, but mainly roasty grains and semi-sweet chocolate with a medium level of sweetness. Midway into the taste, a staunch smokiness washes in. For me, the Columbus hops didn’t add too terribly much character beyond a bitter that pairs with the roasted quality of the grains. Light clove spiciness ushers in a fruity mix of bananas and plums. Choco-roasty finish with a final kiss of smoke. Mouthfeel: Medium-bodied. Medium carbonation. Drinkability: Why, that’s not bad at all! And such a sensible percentage of alcohol, too. Usually, I’m left looking like a bored ox on a hill when it comes to Magic Hat’s offerings, but this, I dare say, is one of their better brews as of late.

Name: Odd Notion - Chocolate Belgian Stout
Date: November 21, 2009
Mode: Bottle
Source: Tasting, Cellar Party
Appearance: opaque dark brown, wispy beige head, viscious, drippy lace
Aroma: sweet chocolate aroma, dark caramel sweetness, fruity esters, dark chocolate
Flavor: rich chocolate flavor, faint fruity esters, bitter dark chocolate
Overall: flavor does not live up to the promise of the aroma
Aroma: 7/10; Appearance: 7/10; Flavor: 6/10; Palate: 6/10; Overall: 12/20
Rating: 3.2/5.0
Drinkability: 7/10
Score: ** /4

on tap-pours a rich diapering brown head and black color. Aroma is sweet chocolate/molasses-dark malt, hint of hops. Taste is sweet chocolate/molasses-dark malt, secondary citrus/earthy hops. Good carbonation. More porter than a stout.