American Magic
Founders Brewing Company
- From:
- Founders Brewing Company
- Michigan, United States
- Style:
- Imperial IPA
- ABV:
- 8%
- Score:
- +2 ratings needed
- Avg:
- 3.6 | pDev: 19.17%
- Ratings:
- | reviews: 5
- Status:
- Active
- Rated:
- Nov 21, 2024
- Added:
- Jul 13, 2024
- Wants:
- 1
- Gots:
- 0
NO SCORE
-
-
Founders Brewing Co. is an official sponsor of New York Yacht Club American Magic
Recent ratings and reviews.
Reviewed by jbalehouse
4.72/5 rDev +31.1%
look: 5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
4.72/5 rDev +31.1%
look: 5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
I picked up a six pack of this beer this last summer at my neighborhood corner store here in Grand Rapids, MI (hometown of Founders). I had not seen it around before and have not seen it since… adding to the mystery is the fact that (as of the last time I visited the taproom a couple months ago) this product now appears to be a hop water? As others have noted, mysterious import information appears on the can. I would be lying if all this did not contribute to my appreciation of the beer but nevertheless, it definitely stands on its own merits as a fabulous can of ale.
This beer strikes a near perfect balance of American craft flavor and that wonderful quality, “drinkability”… but at 8 percent you can also be quite satisfied after just one or two. I usually tire of most craft brews after one six pack, but this is a beer I wouldn’t mind making my go to ale. I can picture drinking it with any meal or in nearly any setting.
Pouring it into a pint glass reveals a lovely and inviting bronze color. The head is quite robust with good retention. The aroma is subtle and more on the grainy side mixed with some stone fruit and grape, which come through more in the actual flavor of the beer. The limited scent on the nose is at once a detractor but also points to what is ultimately the strength of this beer which is its simple profile. Despite being an imperial IPA the mouth feel is pleasantly light, closer to a malty lager like maybe a Corona Familiar or Victoria. Taste is overall more malt forward than hop forward. Plenty of bitterness to go around, probably leaning earthier and piney than citrus to my taste. The result is a very nice dry flavor and finish. You won’t find the deep, syrupy sweetness you might expect from an Imperial IPA here, and in my book that is a win. And yet it is still unmistakably an IPA.
Here is a beer that I believe with the right branding could very easily become a flagship ale for the brewery, striking an awesome balance between craft and consumer sensibilities, adaptable for a variety of parings and situations. Hope to find another six pack soon. Cheers!
Nov 21, 2024This beer strikes a near perfect balance of American craft flavor and that wonderful quality, “drinkability”… but at 8 percent you can also be quite satisfied after just one or two. I usually tire of most craft brews after one six pack, but this is a beer I wouldn’t mind making my go to ale. I can picture drinking it with any meal or in nearly any setting.
Pouring it into a pint glass reveals a lovely and inviting bronze color. The head is quite robust with good retention. The aroma is subtle and more on the grainy side mixed with some stone fruit and grape, which come through more in the actual flavor of the beer. The limited scent on the nose is at once a detractor but also points to what is ultimately the strength of this beer which is its simple profile. Despite being an imperial IPA the mouth feel is pleasantly light, closer to a malty lager like maybe a Corona Familiar or Victoria. Taste is overall more malt forward than hop forward. Plenty of bitterness to go around, probably leaning earthier and piney than citrus to my taste. The result is a very nice dry flavor and finish. You won’t find the deep, syrupy sweetness you might expect from an Imperial IPA here, and in my book that is a win. And yet it is still unmistakably an IPA.
Here is a beer that I believe with the right branding could very easily become a flagship ale for the brewery, striking an awesome balance between craft and consumer sensibilities, adaptable for a variety of parings and situations. Hope to find another six pack soon. Cheers!
Reviewed by DoubleJ from Wisconsin
3.79/5 rDev +5.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
3.79/5 rDev +5.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
An appropriate name for an Imperial IPA, and before diving into the beer, let's go through a few quirks. The can reveals that Founders Brewing is a sponsor of New York Yacht Club American Magic. Sideways on the can, there's importation information for which I assume is for the Spanish market, as it is written in Spanish and I know España is Spanish for Spain. Let's pop the top of this 12 ounce can and move on to the beer:
In a nonic pint glass, it has a somewhat translucent look with a pale gold color, a thick inch of soapy head which leave s afew rings of lacing around. It smells of clean, bittering hops with a touch of honeydew. This Imperial IPA takes the route of a dry, bitter beer. Cracker upfront, bitter hops with vague citrus peel, a clean finish with some of the bitterness lingering afterwards. It's a respectable Imperial IPA that is easier to drink, though does lack complexity.
Sep 11, 2024In a nonic pint glass, it has a somewhat translucent look with a pale gold color, a thick inch of soapy head which leave s afew rings of lacing around. It smells of clean, bittering hops with a touch of honeydew. This Imperial IPA takes the route of a dry, bitter beer. Cracker upfront, bitter hops with vague citrus peel, a clean finish with some of the bitterness lingering afterwards. It's a respectable Imperial IPA that is easier to drink, though does lack complexity.
Reviewed by Stooven from Illinois
4.15/5 rDev +15.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
4.15/5 rDev +15.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
I'm an older hophead. Been wondering lately if my tastebuds have changed because nouveau West Coast IPAs don't taste how I recall. Even revisions like Double Two Hearted or Zombie Ice seem less well-crafted, less caring about hiding the alcohol burn.
American Magic gives me hope. It's exactly what I remember classic DIPAs tasted like prior to the hazy wave and before 9% ABV IPAs were practically the norm. Purchased Aug 17 2024 can says best by April 21 2025 (which seems unlikely; DIPAs should last barely 6 months meaning if I'm drinking this in August it should be questionable at best by February.)
Aug 21, 2024American Magic gives me hope. It's exactly what I remember classic DIPAs tasted like prior to the hazy wave and before 9% ABV IPAs were practically the norm. Purchased Aug 17 2024 can says best by April 21 2025 (which seems unlikely; DIPAs should last barely 6 months meaning if I'm drinking this in August it should be questionable at best by February.)
Rated by cheeseheadinMinneapolis from Wisconsin
3.53/5 rDev -1.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
3.53/5 rDev -1.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
taste: Low on flavor. Some lemon/grapefruit. Grainy. Lingering earthy bitter after taste.
Aug 13, 2024
Reviewed by Holtguy from Michigan
2.18/5 rDev -39.4%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2.25
2.18/5 rDev -39.4%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2.25
12oz can from the supermarket.
Clear gold color, fluffy white head
Aroma is minimal.
Taste is grain, bitter, with bitter aftertaste. Not much in the way of citrus or pine or anything particularly good.
Fizzy with medium body. Probably the worst beer I’ve ever had from Founders.
Jul 19, 2024Clear gold color, fluffy white head
Aroma is minimal.
Taste is grain, bitter, with bitter aftertaste. Not much in the way of citrus or pine or anything particularly good.
Fizzy with medium body. Probably the worst beer I’ve ever had from Founders.
Reviewed by barnzy78 from Illinois
3.24/5 rDev -10%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3
3.24/5 rDev -10%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3
12oz can picked up at the brewery; best by 21.04.25
L: clear golden body; frothy off-white head
S: muted aroma; maybe some pale grain and citrus
T: lightly toasted grain, pungent & earthy pine, pithy grapefruit, apricot
F: medium body, ample carbonation, sharp bitterness
O: this was a swing and miss for me. Not at all the quality I know to expect from Founders.
Jul 13, 2024L: clear golden body; frothy off-white head
S: muted aroma; maybe some pale grain and citrus
T: lightly toasted grain, pungent & earthy pine, pithy grapefruit, apricot
F: medium body, ample carbonation, sharp bitterness
O: this was a swing and miss for me. Not at all the quality I know to expect from Founders.
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