Magic Hat Brewing Co.
South Burlington , VT
As temperatures rise, the fever follows. A portable celebration of unbridled vernal joy, this thawing mixer serves to stir you from winter slumber. Listen as the Rockin’ Robin sings spring into all things… Ca-Caw! Ca-Caw!.
ABV: 4.2
ABW: 3.4
COLOR: Dark Brown
BITTERNESS: 15
ORIGINAL GRAVITY: 1044
AVAILABLE: AL, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, IL, IN, KY, MA, MD, ME, MI, MO, MN, NC, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI, SC, TN, VA, VT, WI, WV
Handsome deep amber, almost brown color with depth. Cocoa and mocha nose. Clean malty taste has adequate hops for a sort ying and yang of cereal and spice. I would describe it as a strong dark American “mild,” though by British standards at 4.2 ABV it would be too strong to pass as a session beer. We liked it with organic prosciutto panini, olive oil popcorn and biscotti to dip in the beer.
With one of the ingredients listed as “blind faith,” I couldn’t help but think of Cream. Alas, no drum solo to be had. A copper colored brew. Head quickly dissipates to a naked surface. A bit of a creamy body, but not a highlight. Hop balance weighs in the background. Mysterious fruitiness. “Chaotic chemistry” is offered as reason. A bit of a grassy aftertaste, but not overdone. A mysterious beer to be sure. Kind of leaves my head itching for a scratch.
Founder of Merchant du Vin and the Pike Brewing Co., Finkel is a pioneer in the marketing of craft beers in America.
Author of the New Complete Joy of Homebrewing, founder of the Great American Beer Festival and a Beer Examiner at www.examiner.com, Papazian is a leading voice in beer and brewing.
