Batch 373
Magic Hat Brewing Company

Batch 373Batch 373
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From:
Magic Hat Brewing Company
 
Vermont, United States
Style:
American Porter
ABV:
Not listed
Score:
88
Avg:
3.95 | pDev: 11.14%
Reviews:
48
Ratings:
54
Status:
Retired
Rated:
Oct 26, 2017
Added:
Dec 30, 2005
Wants:
  0
Gots:
  1
No description / notes.
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Ratings by bros:

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Photo of woodychandler
Reviewed by woodychandler from Pennsylvania

3.89/5  rDev -1.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
Man, it never ceases to astound me as to what is in the depths of my cellar here at Chez Woody! This one was in my Beerfrigerator at Mom-Za's 420 when I made the move in 2008 & resurfaced the other night as I was rooting around in said Beerfrigerator.

From the bottle: "A 'Rave' or to the 'Grave'? You tell us online at MysteryBeerMagicHat.Net".

Well, it is too late for the online poll, but a good time to finally Pop! the cap. I then began a slow, gentle pour into the awaiting glass since I had no idea of what was forthcoming. I decanted about 3/4 of the 3/4 pint of ale & stopped to perform a vigorous in-glass swirl. This proved that it had not lost any of its carbonation as I got three-plus fingers of dense, rocky, foamy, deep-tan/light-brown head with great retention that leaft loads of lacing in its wake. Color was Very Dark Brown to Black/Opaque (SRM = > 34, < 44), allowing just a tad of light penetration & showing that it was not outright stygian black. Nose had a pronounced dark, rich chocolatiness, almost fudgy in its intensity. Mouthfeel was medium-to-full, not quite creamy, but definitely big in the mouth and on the tongue and definitely big for the style. The taste, while chocolaty, was not as intense as the nose had led me to expect. Instead, it had a powdered chocolate flavor, putting me in mind of Nestle's Quik, which I stupidly snorted one time as a young kid. Not a bad taste, proving that it had held up well. Finish was actually quite dry, suggesting that the yeast had continued to do its job over time. What a find!
Oct 26, 2017
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 4.25 by wrightst from Maryland

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Feb 22, 2014
 
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Jul 29, 2013
 
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Rated: 3.5 by bonbini26 from New Jersey

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Rated: 5 by rab53 from Washington

Dec 02, 2011
Photo of RedChrome
Reviewed by RedChrome from Connecticut

4.17/5  rDev +5.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
A deep brown body was slighlty murky. Mahogony colored half inch head shrank to a slick before staying that way. No carbonation to be seen in the dark color.

A roasted nutty malt aroma was very pleasent. There is a subtle hint of chocolate that blends with the nut scents. Decent hops to balance out the sweet roasted smell.

Excellent flavors of chocolate and nuts. A very nice balance as the roasted malts and hops bitterness blend. A silght coffee taste in the finish lingers long enough to enjoy.

Decent thickness with just the right amount of carbonation to let the flavors burst on the tongue.

An excellent choice, Definitly a grat pairing with a pork dinner. This one is worth picking up a mixed pack to try. Super job to the brewers at Magic Hat.
Jan 19, 2007
Photo of warriorsoul
Reviewed by warriorsoul from Pennsylvania

3.56/5  rDev -9.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Dark chocolate in color with a full finger and a half of tan head...very full and half of it remains. The rest leaves some incredible lacing.
Sweet chocolate malt up front...some fig, plum as well.
Milk chocolate flavor with a hint of lactose...very minimal hopping and quite sweet, yet finishes dry which adds to the drinkability.
Mouthfeel feels robust at first, but turns quite thin in the finish.
Carbonation is good and no hint of any alcohol.
Another solid beer from Magic Hat...almost a cross between the Participation Ale I used to enjoy and Heart of Darkness.
Nov 18, 2006
Photo of akajimmyd
Reviewed by akajimmyd from District of Columbia

3.71/5  rDev -6.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Appearance - Lovely dark brown with red highlights. Nice tan head.

Smell - Maybe a little dark fruit and roasty malts.

Taste - Espresso and burnt malts on the tip of my tongue. Hint of citrus through the middle? Just enough hops on the finish. (Not quite as much as I expect from an “American” Porter)

Mouthfeel - Medium bodied and creamy. A tad bitter on the finish.

Drinkability - This is a very tasty porter. Worth checking out. You won’t be disappointed if you pick up a mix pack.
Nov 14, 2006
Photo of jcdiflorio
Reviewed by jcdiflorio from West Virginia

3.15/5  rDev -20.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Poured with a light tan head,dissapated quickly,a very dark ruby red color almost looks black.Smells carmalely,nutty, slightly,but a clean smell also.Tastes sweet,a nutty roasted flavor,a nice tasty brew,good balance.A medium mouthfeel,a nice malty taste,with a spicey,dry hop finish. A really drinkable beer and tasty,complex,mouthwatering,a really enjoyable brew.
Sep 24, 2006
Photo of boulevard2
Reviewed by boulevard2 from New York

4.27/5  rDev +8.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
12 oz bottle

Pours creamy, dark and frothy. Head is thick and clings to glass. Scent of coffee and chocolate very present. Taste of chocolate and nuts is also present with a very smooth aftertaste.I reccomend dessert or beef with this beer and overall very impressd with Magic Hat's rendition of this style. Not sure of the abv but seems to have high drinkability and is session proof.If this is seasonal I would look more often and might have to put some aside for the cold winter months ahead.
Aug 18, 2006
Photo of dherling
Reviewed by dherling from New Jersey

3.5/5  rDev -11.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3
This poured like a beautiful beer, a real dark chestnut brown, with a creamy espresso crema type head. The nose developed nicely, I can't remember a beer that developed in my nostrils quite the way this one did. It starts off with coffee and toasted malt, then develops into spice, cinnamon, and chocolate. The taste was a little underwhelming considering how wonderful the nose was. The body has nothing more to offer than some malt and a little hops. The taste then drops out from under it, and finishes watered down and syrupy. It's interesting how clean it finishes, and then returns with a caramelish aftertaste. Nice mouthfeel, and a decent brew. If you're looking for a straightforward, drinkable dark brown ale, have at it. In my opinion, Magic Hat has done better.
Aug 10, 2006
Photo of RBorsato
Reviewed by RBorsato from Virginia

4.65/5  rDev +17.7%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 5
Black with ruby hues to light, full light brown head, good carbonation, and decent lace rings. Citrusy hop aroma dominates -- complete surprise ! Some espresso notes underneath. Chocolate malt flavors dominate with a very nice hop balance and coffee /espresso notes. Medium-light bodied but a bit airy due to carbonation.

Awesome nicely balanced hop-infused porter/stout !

Per MH website: 5.8% ABV. OG 1.060. 30 IBU. 30 SRM.
Malts: Pale, Black, Biscuit, Munich, Chocolate, and Special B
Hops: Styrian Goldings and Amarillo

Drink By (end of): May '06'
Tasted: 07/01/06
Aug 02, 2006
Photo of TheManiacalOne
Reviewed by TheManiacalOne from Rhode Island

4.22/5  rDev +6.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Poured from a 12oz. bottle into a US tumbler pint glass.

A: The beer pours a deep brown with a foamy tan head that fades slowly and leaves some decent lacing on the glass.

S: I’m having a hard time believing what I’m smelling first. It’s hops! That’s right. A strong hops smell in a porter. Huh? Then there’s a malty background of roasted coffee and a bit of alcohol.

T: Just like with the smell, there’s a heck of a lot more hops than you’d expect in this type of beer. The hops flavor is followed by a coffee sweetness with a touch of fruit. Then the hops return in the after-taste.

M: Very crisp and smooth, medium body, medium carbonation, clean finish.

D: It’s very flavorful, not very filling and goes down real easy. This beer’s a mystery all right. It has the tastiness of an IPA, the smooth silkiness of a stout and looks like a porter. With all the surprise aside, this was a very good beer.
Jun 08, 2006
Photo of HurricaneMo
Reviewed by HurricaneMo from Virginia

3.68/5  rDev -6.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
I don't think I could see any light coming through the glass after I poured this one...Very dark with a perfect tan head and good lacing. The smell and taste were of roasted malts with slight berries and chocolate. Caught me a little off guard with the amount of hops, maybe just a little too much. The mouthfeel was medium bodied and had decent carbonation. An enjoyable porter.
Jun 02, 2006
Photo of alexwag
Reviewed by alexwag from New York

3.5/5  rDev -11.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
From the Joe's Garage 12 pack.

A- Mocha head, not that substantive; rich coffee/chestnut color.

S- Burnt malts/coffee/chocolate/caramel, whiff of hops n' alcohol. I have apparently been smelling beer.

T- Fizzy up front -- not huge on that -- but very smooth, rich taste. Unsweetened chocolate and roasted coffee. Some hops pop up, but quickly dissipate. Doesn't fade to much at all.

M- Creamy, rich and substantive. Too much carbonation kinda kills it for me, but I dig on the creaminess.

D- Not bad, but I wouldn't order it all that often. It is fairly well balanced for warmer weather drinking, with the carbonation and hops. At least I think Magic Hat is trying.
Jun 02, 2006
Photo of Schwarzbart
Reviewed by Schwarzbart from Pennsylvania

4.37/5  rDev +10.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
Appearance: A nice one finger tan head contrasts this black beer nicely and the lacing was fairly clingy.
Smell: An unusual amount of hop in the nose for a beer of this color. There was also sweetness of toasted chocolaty malts. A great balance between the two.
Taste: The hop flavor hits right at once just like the aroma did and then the chocolate malts kick in. The malts are a little more smoky than my nose detected, but the grassy hops box back and win the match. It was a good match though.
Mouthfeel: A little creamy, but mostly smooth.
Drinkability: One easy drinking porter. A pleasant surprise.
May 29, 2006
Photo of arguemaniac
Reviewed by arguemaniac from Virginia

3.68/5  rDev -6.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
While this porter features primarily roasted flavors, such as tasty mocha, slightly bitter toasted grain, some chocolate, etc., it also has a fairly assertive hop bite (which is even more detectable in the aroma) that melds nicely with the other bitter burnt flavors. A creamy mouthfeel with a sharp carbonation tang.

Interesting, drinkable, but not amazing. The mocha flavor is pretty delicious and blends well with the other roasted flavors, and the hop bitterness stands out too. But, while this one is good, fantastic American porters aren’t too hard to come by. Nonetheless, recommended.
May 27, 2006
Photo of oberon
Reviewed by oberon from North Carolina

4.39/5  rDev +11.1%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
The mystery beer in my Joe's Garage variety pack,poured a deep brown with dark near crimson hue when held up to the light with a large 2 finger mocha colored head.Perfect 5 for me aroma wise its American big on the fruity,piney hop mixed with chocolate and earth just fantastic love the big hop profile.The same goes for the flavors big piney drier hop profile intertwined with bitter chocolate with a earthy raw nut lingering finish.A little prickly on the mouth but nothing to take away from the great flavors of the beer,damn I wish there more porters like this it is the most hoppedup version I think I have had to date.
May 15, 2006
Batch 373 from Magic Hat Brewing Company
Beer rating: 88 out of 100 with 54 ratings