Beer Review: Magic Hat #9

Sometimes there are nice perks to being a beer blogger. Once in a Blue Moon(pun intended)a brewery will send you a nice package in hopes that you sample and review it. Recently I was lucky enough to get one of those sample packages from Magic Hat Brewery. They have just recently entered into the Louisiana market with their #9 and that's what they sent me.

I'll be honest I've had #9 before and didn't like it at all. I had it on draft at the Mellow Mushroom in Destin, Florida and fully expected the same experience this time around as well. I usually reserve judgement of a beer until I have at least had it twice so I've never reviewed #9 on this website.

The package they sent me was your typical package(information folder, sticker, koozie) except for this:

Yes dear readers they sent me condoms. Now I've been married for 12 years now and have one kid so obviously I don't need to tell you anymore regarding my usage of condoms but I can tell you it's been awhile. I'm not even sure I know anyone that uses them. Actually I may but it's not really a topic of conversation when drinking beer with my boys. Maybe that's the thing behind the name Magic Hat. They named themselves after condoms? Perhaps someone from the company would be kind enough to explain the whole condom thing. Rumor has it that condoms, games and other "beer events" seems to be part of their whole schtick. Not sure why a brewery needs a schtick but whatever.

Anyways on to the review:

Brewery: Magic Hat Brewery

Beer: #9

Style: Fruit/Vegetable

Recommended Glassware: Pint Glass

Appearance: This beer pours a a golden amber with a nice white head. A little lacing is present.

Smell: Whoa! Amazing apricot aroma. Very powerful apricot presence with hints of grain and slight hint of hops.

Taste: Huge apricot sweetness with a mild hop bitterness and graininess. To me it's apricot sweet in a good way.

Mouthfeel: Medium body with medium carbonation.

Drinkability: This beer is a good beer for summertime. Nice crisp beer with hints of apricots. This beer has potential here in New Orleans if sold properly. I have a feeling it'll most likely be marketed to the ladies because well that's the misperception of women and beer- women like fruity beer.

Score: 3 out of 5 Buddhas

Cheers!

The Beer Buddha

Magic Hat Is Coming To New Orleans

Ok, so a source told me that it is official and Magic Hat Brewing is coming to town. This Vermont brewery, known for its Magic Hat #9 and also for having the worst website in history, is looking to enter the state "right around the beginning of Jazzfest" which is at the end of April.

If this roll out is anything like what they did in Florida we will see Magic Hat #9 on draft first for about 3-6 months and then Magic Hat #9 in 22oz bottles. I'm not sure about when their other products will enter the state. Either way this is another nice grab for the state of Louisiana. It seems like every couple of months we're getting new beer in. Now we just need to convert more people over to drinking better beer in order to drink it all!

Cheers!

The Beer Buddha