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Beer Talk

Kennebec River Magic Hole IPA

Available: ME

• Roger Protz

  My usual beef — too dark for an IPA. The beer has a burnished copper color and a nutty and fruity (raisins and sultanas) aroma with rich, slightly toasted grain. Vine fruits and sweet malt dominate the palate with spicy and peppery East Kent Goldings hops providing a balance. The finish starts bittersweet then becomes dry with good hop notes and continuing rich fruit. But — sorry — too malty and sweet for the style.

• Fred Eckhardt

  Now this grand eloquent head spins its story of the Maine woodlands. And what aromatics do we have? Mighty aromatics from our English forbearers. A not-so-pale amber color proclaims the grand, nay, magnificent hop offering here. “Liberally hopped” indeed! This is way past that point. A true offering for hop-heads across the planet (of which I am one and feel well blessed for that). Maybe it is over the top. I don’t care. I love this beer.

• John Hansell

  Aromas of ripe peach, tangerine and caramel. Similar follow-through on the palate, with a firm, bitter, citrus rind finish. Named after a part of the Kennebec River that makes rafts disappear. I certainly could swallow up one or two of these.