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Magic Hat #9
Burlington, Vermont
BJCP Category: 20A Fruit Beer
Magic Hat Brewing Co. <visit site>
35
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[expand]Total Score: 34/50
A refreshing ale whose drying finish demands another. A very nice, toasty malt character. more >
[close]Total Score: 34/50
Aroma: Toasty, pale malt sweetness with noticeable fruity esters with hints of peaches and apricots—not very distinguishable as fruit but more like the byproducts of fermentation. No diacetyl, DMS or noticeable alcohol. No off aromas. Clean with a lightly fruity maltiness. (7/12)
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Appearance: Deep gold with considerable chill haze and a sustaining tan head of large bubbles. Moderate carbonation. (2/3)
Flavor: Bready, toasty malt dominates with a dry, astringent finish. Low hop flavor. No diacetyl, DMS or alcohol character. Balance is malt with sufficient bitterness to prevent the beer from being sweet. Fruity esters seem in line with vigorous ale fermentation but little apricot except as the beer warms. Aftertaste of toasted malt. (14/20)
Mouthfeel: Medium bodied with drying and astringent mouthfeel. Moderate carbonation. No alcohol warming. (4/5)
Overall Impression: A refreshing ale whose drying finish demands another. A very nice, toasty malt character. The fruitiness from fermentation, or from the apricot essence, is noticeable but not as a distinguished apricot flavor and aroma that I would expect from a fruit beer. As a fruit beer, the character of the fruit should be more assertive. Additional crystal malt or a higher mash temperature would leave a sweeter, less dry finish, which may bring out the apricot notes. It is however a very nice English pale ale that I would enjoy with a roasted pork chop dinner. (7/10) -
[expand]Total Score: 42/50
It has qualities of a blonde ale, but more; maybe a strong or Imperial blonde? The fruit is at first apparent in the aroma, but sort of sneaks into the flavor. more >
[close]Total Score: 42/50
Aroma: At first like very ripe peach, but evolves into dried apricot as the beer warms . Definitely stone fruit, but not plum or nectarine. Malt is subdued, a little bready. Low, slightly spicy hop aroma blends well with the fruit. Clean fermentation, no off aromas or other esters. (10/12)
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Appearance: Golden, clear but not brilliant. Head forms to one-third of the glass, uneven bubbles, but off-white and persistent. (3/3)
Flavor: Smooth, balanced, bready malt flavor; low hop flavor has a slightly waxy character, showing a little oxidation. Subdued fruit as in the aroma, but still intense as in dried fruit. Mid-palate there is a pleasantly acidic tangy tartness of fruit, accentuating and complementing the hop bitterness. All characteristics in balance. Malt becomes more caramel-like as the beer sits. Finish is crisp and clean with just a hint of hop bitterness lingering. After the glass is empty, a very subtle but defined apricot flavor sneaks back into play. (17/20)
Mouthfeel: Medium light body with surprisingly low carbonation. Creamy, not cloying, and no astringency. A little pleasant alcoholic warmth on the lips. (4/5)
Overall Impression: It has qualities of a blonde ale, but more; maybe a strong or Imperial blonde? The fruit is at first apparent in the aroma, but sort of sneaks into the flavor. The tartness adds a unique and refreshing note. A lovely beer on its own, would also work well tossed with fresh or frozen berries. Refreshing, even with the alcoholic strength, this beer will warm in winter as well as quench one’s thirst any time of year. (8/10) -
[expand]Total Score: 32/50
Good flavorful summery beer that expresses the key ingredients well. The fruit character tastes like it was derived from extracts rather than fresh fruit. more >
[close]Total Score: 32/50
Aroma: Strong aroma of dried apricots underpinned by a slightly medicinal character. Light bready notes and graininess from the malt with an interesting nuttiness. Overall balance is pleasant but would be enhanced with a little more fresh fruit character. (7/12)
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Appearance: Light orange-copper color with very compact and uniform beading in a white head. Good head retention and excellent clarity for a fruit beer. (3/3)
Flavor: Malted wheat provides a soft background with some toffee-like sweetness from crystal malt. Apricots come through well but again have a bit of a medicinal edge before being overtaken by bitterness from the hops. Apparent bitterness is enhanced by the grainy and husky notes. There is a light fruitiness in the background, but fermentation profile is restrained with just a hint of alcohol. Some acidity in the finish adds complexity. (13/20)
Mouthfeel: Good body from the malted wheat but there is an unpleasant harshness and astringency that coats the mouth. I also pick up a little soapiness. (3/5)
Overall Impression: Good flavorful summery beer that expresses the key ingredients well. The fruit character tastes like it was derived from extracts rather than fresh fruit, but that is probably difficult to avoid in a product that is made year-round. A softer finish with less graininess would improve the balance without pushing it out of style, although a sweeter base style might work better with the apricots. (6/10) -
[expand]Total Score: 35/50
Apricot is fairly subtle and shows up more in the aroma than in the flavor, where more would be welcome. It reminds me of an English ale. more >
[close]Total Score: 35/50
Aroma: Medium-strong fruity aroma; has an definite apricot quality that dominates bouquet. Moderate grainy sweetness enhances impression of fruit. Light graham cracker or toffee malt complexity. Quite clean and interesting. (9/12)
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Appearance: Tall ivory-colored head, fell moderately slow, settling to a ring. Moussy bubbles. Deep burnished gold color, almost amber. Mostly clear with just a bit of haze. (2/3)
Flavor: Mildly grainy malty sweetness initially with a low toffee/caramel flavor. Moderate esters step up quickly, suggestive of many English ales. Light minerally/sulfury finish. Moderate bitterness. Finishes medium-dry with a bit of residual sweetness. Interesting blend of malt and esters last through palate into a long finish. Moderate earthy hop flavor. Light fruity tartness in finish is refreshing. The fruit character is light in the balance—the base beer is dominant. (14/20)
Mouthfeel: Fairly high carbonation provides mouth-filling bubbles (seems high). Medium-light to medium body. Light tartness in finish. A bit of astringency—fruit derived? Moderate alcoholic strength. (3/5)
Overall Impression: Apricot is fairly subtle and shows up more in the aroma than in the flavor, where more would be welcome. It reminds me of an English ale (except for the carbonation) with the increased ester profile. The base beer is easy drinking with a tasty malt character, and defies easy categorization (except maybe as a somewhat aggressive Blonde Ale). The carbonation is much too high and interferes with the enjoyment of the flavors. Not clearly a fruit beer, just a nice late summertime refresher. (7/10)
