Beer Review - Magic Hat Roxy Rolles.

Still working through a back log of beer reviews...

Magic Hat Brewing Company - Roxy Rolles

Beer Type: American Amber/Red Ale

Appearance: 12 oz. brown bottle with a red Magic Hat label featuring a biker of some sort. Beer is a nice light brown color with a thick off-white head.

Smell: Plenty of hops along with some malt as well. Smells like what I have come to expect a red ale to smell like!

First Drink: Plenty of the caramel malt followed quickly by some spicy hops.

Mouthfeel: A little oily but the overall sensation is smooth.

Last Drink: More of the floral hops comes through but I am also getting something a bit "stale" and bitter. Not liking it.

Drinkability: This is a Fall seasonal I am drinking in the Winter. Reminds me more of a Bock or Doppelbock than a Red or Amber ale.

Notes: Might just be a bit old, wish I had a chance to try this when it was more fresh.

Verdict: 3 out of 5. Some interesting flavors going on but not all of them are ones I like.

Links: Beer Advocate and Magic Hat Brewing Company.

Happy Samhain!

I love October so the 31st has always been a bittersweet day for me. Halloween is my favorite holiday but November has always been a bit of a downer. Lucky for me there is the Celtic holiday of samhain (or samhein - pronounced SAH win)!

Drinking, dressing like dead things, and setting fires has always seemed like a good idea at this time of year. Speaking of drinking and burnt things... how about a nice fall seasonal?

Magic Hat Brewing Company - Odd Notion (Fall 2009)

Beer Type: Belgian Dark Ale

Appearance: 12 oz. brown bottle with a black Magic Hat label and a skeleton on it. Beer is dark! Really dark brown with some red hues and a biege head.

Smell: Lots of burnt stuff. Almost like a barbecue. Dark, roasted, sweet, smells.

First Drink: Just as dark as the smell with a heavy earthy flavor, quickly followed with a sweet malt or chocolate milk flavor.

Mouthfeel: Not as heavy as I would expect from the smell and color. More of a medium body that goes down smooth.


Last Drink: A hint of whiskey now, perhaps some dried fruits, and a lot more smoke. Odd ...

Drinkability: This is a Fall seasonal I am drinking in the Winter and it still tastes amazing. Wow!

Notes: Quite unlike any beer I can name and the flavor is one I will remember. Thanks Magic Hat!!

Verdict: 4.25 out of 5. Too bad this is a one time seasonal brew, I could get used to drinking this.

Links: Beer Advocate and Magic Hat Brewing Company.

Hope you too can enjoy the end of October with a good drink, good company, and safe journeys.