Magic Hat #9 Review

Ok, picked up a sixer of this brew which is not available in GA. I have had it before at the Capital Ale House in VA. It markets itself as not quite a Pale Ale. I would say they are pretty close with that description. Pours a light copper color. Pretty good head that settles out quickly. You can pick up a bit of fruitiness in the smell. Almost hefe like but a tad sweeter? (After having a few I noticed the bottle said it was brewed with essence of apricot) Good mouth feel. A sweet note, but not a maltyone. Very odd but pleasant. A short hop note up front but no bitterness to be had (darn!) Lingers in the mouth a while, a slight oily feel once done. There is something about this beer I can't really put my finger on. It isn't a pale ale but shouldn't really be called a fruit beer either. Maybe an SPA, Sweet Pale Ale? It is a refreshing drinking beer and a tad mysterious as it says on the bottle. If I could get it in GA it would be a semi-regular feature for when I was in a mood for a darker ale but not on a hop bender. If you like Pale Ales but are not a Hop Head (or if you are and want to try something interesting) and you find this on tap, give it a shoot. I'll give it 3 pint out of 5.