Odd Notion - Summer Draft (Summer 2008)
Magic Hat Brewing Company

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From:
Magic Hat Brewing Company
 
Vermont, United States
Style:
Wild Ale
ABV:
4.5%
Score:
80
Avg:
3.36 | pDev: 12.5%
Reviews:
16
Ratings:
20
Status:
Retired
Rated:
May 14, 2013
Added:
Nov 29, 2008
Wants:
  0
Gots:
  0
No description / notes.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by aerozeppl:
Photo of aerozeppl
Reviewed by aerozeppl from New York

3.83/5  rDev +14%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
On tap at Mahar's. Think the style is off on this one.

A: Cloudy golden color. A finger of white head with some lacing.

S: Sour with a slight hint of funk. Little bit of citrus as well.

T: A very light taste on the palate with a subtle sour taste. I dont know if it was my mind but I picked up hints of bret. Maybe I was tasting what I wanted to.

M: Fairly light body. Good carbonation.

D: Super drinkable with enough taste to keep it interesting. They should bottle this beer. Great summer session beer with a ton of taste. This curbs the trend of bad Magic Hat beers for me.
Aug 02, 2008
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 3.75 by jzmaui1 from Pennsylvania

May 14, 2013
 
Rated: 3.75 by PoppyParthenonE from Connecticut

May 04, 2013
 
Rated: 3.5 by acurtis from New Jersey

Jan 09, 2012
 
Rated: 4 by Goldfoot from Michigan

Dec 16, 2011
Photo of Knapp85
Reviewed by Knapp85 from Pennsylvania

2.81/5  rDev -16.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3
Tried this at the Brewery in September of 2009. They had this on tap and had been giving out lots of samples of different things there. This was my 3rd sample that day. It kind of had a reddish color to it and had a tan thin head on it. The smell was of something sour for sure. Surprisingly enough the taste was moderately sour and not overwhelming. I could see myself drinking this one before some of the other traditional sours out there because I'm just not that into the pucker face. When comparing this to a true sour this doesn't even come close though.
May 15, 2011
Photo of Stimack
Reviewed by Stimack from New York

3.15/5  rDev -6.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2 | overall: 3.5
I was able to give this brew a try last evening on tap while out at Mahar's. Beer had a brown color to it with some red like highlights, somewhat cloudy. Ok sized head with some retention and lacing. The aroma of this one has a nice moderate sour sensation of cherries and I think apple? The flavor is not bad, clearly has a sour feel which is pretty good as it is quite mild but at the tail end of it there is a slight off flavor, a medicine like property. Now this off flavor over all is not bad as it does not dominate but is there. One thing about this beer is it feels extremely watery. Over all this is a fair brew, could be a gateway to sours for people as it is quite tame. Drinks quite easily but there are way to many good sour beers out there to waste more than just a try of this one.
Jan 23, 2010
Photo of Jwale73
Reviewed by Jwale73 from Rhode Island

2.9/5  rDev -13.7%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5
Thanks to edbeer and nhdhopgrower for cracking this one open. Pours the color of murky, unpasteurized cider with no head, just a swirl of foam. Nose is grainy with a hint of acidity - a little reminiscent of a berliner-weisse. As suggested by the nose, closer to a berliner-weisse than anything else - unfortunately, it doesn't even approach what that style should be - not sure where the saison/farmhouse style comes in. Not really getting much sour here. Mouthfeel is light bodied with a mild background carbonation. This is a mediocre beer at best. Not at all style consistent. I was pretty disappointed with this offering I have to say.
Dec 06, 2009
Photo of Naugled
Reviewed by Naugled from New York

2.35/5  rDev -30.1%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5
on tap at Beech Tree in Poughkeepsie

A: average, gold hazy with thin white head

S: not impressed. just some light CO2 smell, no complexity, no fruit no spice

T: no impressed, but at least there is taste, but it taste like a sweet tart made with saccharine, too tart not enough sour, the sour has no depth, its only on the surface.

M: thin but acceptable

D: avg, but I won't have another, just can't get into that cheap diet candy flavor

Had this for the second time... it did not get better, it got worse
Nov 04, 2009
Photo of DefenCorps
Reviewed by DefenCorps from Oregon

2.64/5  rDev -21.4%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5
This was advertised as a sour and it fails at that. As a saison, it fails even more. On tap at Max's

The pour is quite darned good, mildly hazy brown with a thin white head that lasts a while, leaving decent lacework. The nose, however, is not so good. Disappointingly wheaty, husky and mildly tart with a lactic character. A grainy astringency is apparent. Light and watery, this beer opens tart with absolutely no flavor. Mild cherry skin astringency is present, along with a grainy, husky character. The finish is dry, mildly tart and watery. I can't describe the flavor 'cos there just isn't much. Carbonation is on the high side. Why bother, really? I drank about 3 oz before I let the glass be. Maybe one could drink this in the summer, but that would be like picking a BMC over a fresh German pils.
Oct 21, 2009
Photo of Yeastcakes
Reviewed by Yeastcakes from Colorado

3.42/5  rDev +1.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Serving notes: Augustiner 0.5L glass, cellar temp
Aroma: Nice mix of malt, bright citrusy hops and some spice which I assume is the poppy seeds or agave.
Appearance: Two fingers of head that quickly dissipates. Crystal clear light amber.
Mouthfeel: Light body, high carbonation.
Taste: Agave & poppy seeds a front and center on the tongue but nicely supported by the malt and hops. Spices linger on the tongue and roof of the mouth. The spices are a forward, but controlled level.
Drinkability: Unusual but pleasing beer.
Feb 25, 2009
Photo of weeare138
Reviewed by weeare138 from Pennsylvania

3.01/5  rDev -10.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3
From notes...
On tap at Capone's.
Appears a copper toned red with a small, white cap that slowly fades out. Scattered lacing is left around the glass.
Smell is of balsamic vinegar, cherries, and worcesteshire sauce. I usually like Flemish Reds and Wild Ales but this one has a strange, acetic note that is a bit of a turnoff.
Taste is of the mentioned aromas, perhaps with more of a cherry flavor coming through that seems to bump it up a notch. The only flaw found in this one is the minor note of diacetyl detected in the flavor coming through as butter.
Mouthfeel is medium bodied, sweet, tart, and actually smooth. I can't say anything negative about the mouthfeel, which I feel is the best aspect of this particular beer.
Dec 06, 2008
Photo of pershan
Reviewed by pershan from Maryland

3.85/5  rDev +14.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Had this on-tap at Frisco Grille in Columbia, MD.

The beer poured a slightly hazy straw-yellow with a very thin white head into a pint glass. A sniff detected a faint aroma of sweet honey. The taste was sour and tangy, with citrus, sour apple, and grapefruit components. A very fizzy mouthfeel. I'm not sure why Frisco had this beer on tap this time of year (December), since it is obviously a summer brew. In any event, it was very light and refreshing, and highly drinkable.
Dec 04, 2008
Photo of wingman14
Reviewed by wingman14 from Ohio

3.53/5  rDev +5.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
I had no idea what category to put this in, so I chose saison, because of the description. The Magic Hat website just characterizes it as an American Sour Ale.

This one pours a dark yellow with a frothy white head. The smell is interesting with sweet notes, some lemon zest and grapefruit as well. The taste is very interesting, starts sour with the zesty grapefruit coming through strong. It finishes sour with the citrus notes ringing throughout. The sour intensity increases with every sip. The mouthfeel is interesting, a light body, somewhat heavy carbonation that suits this beer well. This is not the easiest drinking beer, but it is very refreshing, I could see how this beer would be great on a hot summer day. I found it on tap at Consumers Beverages in Orchard Park, NY and wanted to give it a try since it was on sale. Worth checking out if you are into interesting beers.
Nov 29, 2008
Photo of Kendo
Reviewed by Kendo from New York

3.18/5  rDev -5.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Got it on tap at BEFF's in Delmar on 9/3/08.

A: Bright, clear golden yellow with a 1-finger white head that settles quickly. No lace left behind.

S: Not too strong -- somewhat floral with a hint of citrus rind.

T: Had no idea what to expect when I ordered this beer. Looking at it I thought maybe it was a pilsner. Taking a sip, I was surprised by the tart sourness. There's a certain sweet fruitiness that coats the mouth as well, but the tart, sour taste reminds me of lemon peel or grapefruit rind. The carbonation level, combined with the tart but sweet fruitiness, made me think of citrus soda.

M: Fizzy mouthfeel, light-to-medium in heft.

D: OK. A change of pace, appropriate for a hot summer day, but I wouldn't want more than one. After a pint of this, in fact, I shifted gears to a Brooklyn Brown, wanting to offset the sourness with a good malty ale.
Sep 04, 2008
Photo of beabear
Reviewed by beabear from New Jersey

3.47/5  rDev +3.3%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
Appearance: Pours a hazy, dirty straw color. Clearly unfiltered, but even if it was filtered the color would not be very appealing. Decent head that vanishes practically right after pouring.

Smell: Lemons, oranges, and light beer.

Taste: I don't know where "American Pale Ale" comes from. This thing is clearly a sour. My immediate taste is lemons. In fact, it almost tastes like lemonade and beer, until the aftertaste, where bitterness takes hold. Before that, I was having trouble telling the difference between this and a lemon Smirnoff Ice (do they even make Lemon Smirnoff Ice? Oh well...). Anyway, I could see why some would be turned off by the sour Lemon taste, but I found it pleasant.

Mouthfeel and Drinkability: The mouthfeel is very thin. In terms of drinkability, it's a mixed bag. On one hand, it tastes so little like beer that I'm sure anyone could drink it. On the other, it's so sour that many would probably get tired of it.

What can I say? This thing is certainly unique. I'm not even sure if I like it, but if you like fruit beers it's certainly worth a try (though, ironically, I'm pretty sure there isn't any fruit in it...).
Aug 07, 2008
Photo of almychristopher
Reviewed by almychristopher from New York

3.52/5  rDev +4.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
pours a light golden color with a white head. the head disappears rather quickly leaving a small ring around the edge of the glass. the aroma deffinitely lets you know your in for a sour beer, but it's not overwhelming. the taste is very citrusy with a touch of sweetness, berofe the very bitter end. the mouthfeel is medium with a decent amount of co2. a pretty drinkable sour.
Aug 05, 2008
Photo of WesWes
Reviewed by WesWes from New York

3.6/5  rDev +7.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
The beer pours a pale gold color with a thick frothy white head that fades to lacing. The aroma is decent. It has a pale and wheat malt scent along with grapefruit notes and a strange fruitiness. The taste is decent as well. It has a light pale and wheat malt flavor that goes down easy and finishes a bit sour with some citrus rind notes. The mouthfeel is fine. It is a medium bodied beer with adequate carbonation. This is a good drinking summer beer. It's not a true "sour" beer, although it does have a citrus presence to it.
Aug 05, 2008
Photo of Brad007
Reviewed by Brad007 from Vermont

3.47/5  rDev +3.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Color: Pours a whitish pale color, something like a witbier color with a very thin head.

Aroma: Fruity/floral aroma with a lot of sweet malt and very mild hop bitterness.

Taste: Floral and bready. Fruity. Very smooth. Still light on the tongue with very mild hop bitterness.

Mouthfeel: Fruity/floral. Sweet.

Drinkability: Very light and drinkable. More like a blond ale though. Almost too fruity upfront to be an APA. Reminds me of Rock Art's Jasmine Ale.
Jul 12, 2008
Photo of TheManiacalOne
Reviewed by TheManiacalOne from Rhode Island

3.5/5  rDev +4.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
On-tap 7/3/08 at Doherty's East Ave Irish Pub in Pawtucket, RI, served in a US tumbler pint glass. This beer is defined by the brewery as an "American Sour Ale".

A: The beer is a light gold color, with a short white head that fades quickly and leaves a thick lace on the glass.

S: The aroma is very faint but contains light malts, grapefruit and a touch of hops.

T: The taste hits with a tart flavor of grapefruit, but it's not as strong as I was expecting. There's a mild hops presence and a thin malt character. The after-taste is slightly bitter.

M: Very crisp and a little smooth, light-to-medium body, medium-to-high carbonation, finish is clean and very dry.

D: Tasty, goes down ok, not too filling, mild kick, this is a decent lighter beer to drink for a while but it's not really that sour, so it would most likely only be a good fit if you wanted something light that doesn't have the sweetness that most lighter beers can have.
Jul 04, 2008
Odd Notion - Summer Draft (Summer 2008) from Magic Hat Brewing Company
Beer rating: 80 out of 100 with 20 ratings