#9 | Magic Hat Brewing Company
Brewed by:
Magic Hat Brewing Company
Vermont, United States
magichat.net
Style: Fruit and Field Beer
Alcohol by volume (ABV): 5.10%
Availability: Year-round
Notes / Commercial Description:
A beer cloaked in secrecy. An ale whose mysterious and unusual palate will swirl across your tongue and ask more questions than it answers. A sort of dry, crisp, refreshing, not-quite pale ale. #9 is really impossible to describe because there's never been anything else quite like it.
20 IBU
View: Beers | Place Reviews | Events
Reviews: 1,735
| Ratings: 5,849
4.03/5 rDev +18.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Pours out of the bottle to a golden color with a nice 3/4” head. Smells much more floral than fruity, some lacing. I found this to be a refreshingly different beer. It feels and tastes initially clean with a floral aftertaste. I have bought several six-packs of this. It is a solid, but not great beer.
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look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Pours out of the bottle to a golden color with a nice 3/4” head. Smells much more floral than fruity, some lacing. I found this to be a refreshingly different beer. It feels and tastes initially clean with a floral aftertaste. I have bought several six-packs of this. It is a solid, but not great beer.
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4.5/5 rDev +32.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
I'll describe it: Sort of a cream ale style beer. I am unable to discern any "fruit and a floral" hops as they mention on the label. Doesn't really come through. Crisp, decent bitterness and body.
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look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
I'll describe it: Sort of a cream ale style beer. I am unable to discern any "fruit and a floral" hops as they mention on the label. Doesn't really come through. Crisp, decent bitterness and body.
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3.24/5 rDev -4.7%
look: 3 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
Definitely not a bad beer by any means. Light in color. The aroma is an apricot smell. The taste is apricot as well. I was also able to taste a hint of cherry in there as well. Others I know have commented that as well, but then others do not taste the cherry flavor. I like this beer though. Has that fruit flavor, but it is not overpowering by any means. That is good for me because I am not a fan of super fruity bears. Goes down pretty smooth, even if you are not a huge fan apricots (which I am not). Would recommend this to someone, but at the same time would not go out of my way to by this from a huge selection most likely.
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look: 3 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
Definitely not a bad beer by any means. Light in color. The aroma is an apricot smell. The taste is apricot as well. I was also able to taste a hint of cherry in there as well. Others I know have commented that as well, but then others do not taste the cherry flavor. I like this beer though. Has that fruit flavor, but it is not overpowering by any means. That is good for me because I am not a fan of super fruity bears. Goes down pretty smooth, even if you are not a huge fan apricots (which I am not). Would recommend this to someone, but at the same time would not go out of my way to by this from a huge selection most likely.
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3.87/5 rDev +13.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Can’t believe the low ratings here. It is a unique floraly taste but very delightful. Not real hoppy so that may be the reason but a solid tasteful PA.
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look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Can’t believe the low ratings here. It is a unique floraly taste but very delightful. Not real hoppy so that may be the reason but a solid tasteful PA.
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3.18/5 rDev -6.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
Medium light body with a very mild aroma. Theres apricot, some grass, and malt but aroma is mostly apricot.
Taste is a little dry, as well as tasting like dried apricots and just a bit sweet.
Not bad but also not too memorable
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look: 3.75 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
Medium light body with a very mild aroma. Theres apricot, some grass, and malt but aroma is mostly apricot.
Taste is a little dry, as well as tasting like dried apricots and just a bit sweet.
Not bad but also not too memorable
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3.4/5 rDev 0%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
When I opened the bottle, the beer smelled bad, like it was old. The taste was bitter . I liked all the other Magic Hat beers I have tried but this one was a real disappointment.
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look: 3.75 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
When I opened the bottle, the beer smelled bad, like it was old. The taste was bitter . I liked all the other Magic Hat beers I have tried but this one was a real disappointment.
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3.15/5 rDev -7.4%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
My original recollection of this beer was more positive than what I think right now. Been around for a good bit, I have had it a few times on and off. I like it ok, it's slightly above my average which is 3.0. Good, just not special.
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look: 3.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
My original recollection of this beer was more positive than what I think right now. Been around for a good bit, I have had it a few times on and off. I like it ok, it's slightly above my average which is 3.0. Good, just not special.
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3.39/5 rDev -0.3%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.25
12oz bottle. Pours a clear amber with a thin layer of bubbles. Smells of wheat and floral hops. Light feel. Tastes like grass with some apricot and a touch of floral hops. Dry finish. Pretty much agree with the other reviews, this one was innovative when it came out but pales in comparison to the offerings today.
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look: 3.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.25
12oz bottle. Pours a clear amber with a thin layer of bubbles. Smells of wheat and floral hops. Light feel. Tastes like grass with some apricot and a touch of floral hops. Dry finish. Pretty much agree with the other reviews, this one was innovative when it came out but pales in comparison to the offerings today.
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4.64/5 rDev +36.5%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5
One of my all time favorites. Its got a hint of apricot sweetness, but is perfectly balanced with mild hops. I could drink this all day (indeed I have). Its a must try for everyone. Enjoy!
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look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5
One of my all time favorites. Its got a hint of apricot sweetness, but is perfectly balanced with mild hops. I could drink this all day (indeed I have). Its a must try for everyone. Enjoy!
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4/5 rDev +17.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Love potion #9 comes to mind. One of the first "craft" beers I have ever enjoyed, it is a blend of both sweet and lager. This one does not over power the senses in any way. If you are looking for an introduction in the fruit and field category, this is a good beer to do that with.
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look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Love potion #9 comes to mind. One of the first "craft" beers I have ever enjoyed, it is a blend of both sweet and lager. This one does not over power the senses in any way. If you are looking for an introduction in the fruit and field category, this is a good beer to do that with.
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2.7/5 rDev -20.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.25 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2.5
There are some light fruit notes & it is not too hoppy like an IPA. It's lacking in taste & the body is quite thin. There is nothing really that stands out from this beer but it's still worth a try. I highly recommend it to people that are newbies to craft beer. I am going to assume that they add some actual fruit or at least fruit flavoring to make this beer like some apricots or peaches, but I could be wrong about that assumption. Cheers! C
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look: 3.5 | smell: 2.25 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2.5
There are some light fruit notes & it is not too hoppy like an IPA. It's lacking in taste & the body is quite thin. There is nothing really that stands out from this beer but it's still worth a try. I highly recommend it to people that are newbies to craft beer. I am going to assume that they add some actual fruit or at least fruit flavoring to make this beer like some apricots or peaches, but I could be wrong about that assumption. Cheers! C
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3.21/5 rDev -5.6%
look: 3.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3
12 Oz Bottle poured into glass
Look - golden orange with some touch of amber. Very small foam head and only minimal glass lacing
Smell - bar none, the strangest beer aroma I have come across. Cherry-apricot bubble gum. Some slight wheat or grains. Very sweet smelling and honestly it smells like a strange fruit cocktail more than a beer...
Taste - It's got a strange taste too. I don't know what's in it so it's hard to describe. It's like a fruity highly carbonated ale. Not saying it's fake but it doesn't taste like fresh hops or anything. Not one single characteristic stands out. It has quite a bit of carbonation. The bitterness is perhaps more than IBU's suggest. It's sweet but its not overwhelming. Drinkable i guess.
Overall, this one is just not my thing. I don't enjoy the taste enough to buy it again. Grade is a B-
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look: 3.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3
12 Oz Bottle poured into glass
Look - golden orange with some touch of amber. Very small foam head and only minimal glass lacing
Smell - bar none, the strangest beer aroma I have come across. Cherry-apricot bubble gum. Some slight wheat or grains. Very sweet smelling and honestly it smells like a strange fruit cocktail more than a beer...
Taste - It's got a strange taste too. I don't know what's in it so it's hard to describe. It's like a fruity highly carbonated ale. Not saying it's fake but it doesn't taste like fresh hops or anything. Not one single characteristic stands out. It has quite a bit of carbonation. The bitterness is perhaps more than IBU's suggest. It's sweet but its not overwhelming. Drinkable i guess.
Overall, this one is just not my thing. I don't enjoy the taste enough to buy it again. Grade is a B-
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3.37/5 rDev -0.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.25
Pours a hazy orange color with a one-finger foamy white head. Smells of toasted malts, a hint of apricot. Tastes of bready malt with just a faint fruitness, finishes fruity. Medium-light body with medium carbonation, foamy mouthfeel and crisp finish.
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look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.25
Pours a hazy orange color with a one-finger foamy white head. Smells of toasted malts, a hint of apricot. Tastes of bready malt with just a faint fruitness, finishes fruity. Medium-light body with medium carbonation, foamy mouthfeel and crisp finish.
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3.46/5 rDev +1.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Poured from 12oz bottle into glass. No bottling date information found.
Clear, medium amber colored body. Creamy off white head sticks around. Leaves a few spots of lacing.
Aroma is predominately floral and slightly sweet. Grassy, vegetal in the background.
Quite a floral grape emphasis in the flavor, with some minor hop bitterness at the end. Rather dry finish.
Medium thick body. Okay carbonation.
Tastes like a old school craft creation. Comes from the "Magic Hat". Overall, kind of thin in flavor but has that grape floral signature.
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look: 3.75 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Poured from 12oz bottle into glass. No bottling date information found.
Clear, medium amber colored body. Creamy off white head sticks around. Leaves a few spots of lacing.
Aroma is predominately floral and slightly sweet. Grassy, vegetal in the background.
Quite a floral grape emphasis in the flavor, with some minor hop bitterness at the end. Rather dry finish.
Medium thick body. Okay carbonation.
Tastes like a old school craft creation. Comes from the "Magic Hat". Overall, kind of thin in flavor but has that grape floral signature.
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3.97/5 rDev +16.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
great beer; i’ve been drinking it for years, but reading that the style was “fruit/vegetable beer” kind of made me feel like i was living the end of Soylent Green
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look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
great beer; i’ve been drinking it for years, but reading that the style was “fruit/vegetable beer” kind of made me feel like i was living the end of Soylent Green
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3.4/5 rDev 0%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5
Decent beer that’s easy to drink and always a safe bet. Nice golden color, some nice head without much lingering lacing. Smells faintly of fruit, tastes mainly of malt and a little fruity sweetness. Not much hop taste at all. Thin mouthfeel, decent carbonation. Slightly sweet but overly so.
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look: 3.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5
Decent beer that’s easy to drink and always a safe bet. Nice golden color, some nice head without much lingering lacing. Smells faintly of fruit, tastes mainly of malt and a little fruity sweetness. Not much hop taste at all. Thin mouthfeel, decent carbonation. Slightly sweet but overly so.
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4.62/5 rDev +35.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
Poured from a botttle to a glass.
L: gold color with solid lacing and head retention. Carbonation seems non-existent.
S: like a small citrus hop profile with grapes/apples. almost like a sweet wine.
T: a sweet IPA with a grape/apple wine feel. Not too bitter.
F: easy finish with little carbonation. Extremely crisp.
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look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
Poured from a botttle to a glass.
L: gold color with solid lacing and head retention. Carbonation seems non-existent.
S: like a small citrus hop profile with grapes/apples. almost like a sweet wine.
T: a sweet IPA with a grape/apple wine feel. Not too bitter.
F: easy finish with little carbonation. Extremely crisp.
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3.49/5 rDev +2.6%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5
Look: Hazy amber with a huge white head of bubbly foam.
Smell: Malt, some citrus and fruitiness, and a bit of hop at the back.
Taste: Very fruity, almost like juice mixed with malt liquor. Balanced by hop bitterness and flavor.
Mouthfeel: Thin and highly carbonated.
Overall: Pretty okay. I would have liked a bit more of a strong fruit flavor.
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look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5
Look: Hazy amber with a huge white head of bubbly foam.
Smell: Malt, some citrus and fruitiness, and a bit of hop at the back.
Taste: Very fruity, almost like juice mixed with malt liquor. Balanced by hop bitterness and flavor.
Mouthfeel: Thin and highly carbonated.
Overall: Pretty okay. I would have liked a bit more of a strong fruit flavor.
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3.48/5 rDev +2.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5
Hazy amber; Head dissipates; Pleasant fruity smell; Mild sparkly mouthfeel, then shifts to kinda smooth; Flavor is slightly nutty but very mild, subdued. The flavor is a little weaker than I expected from the aroma. Not bad but not great.
You can't read it on the BA picture - on the lable it says "Not quite pale ale"
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look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5
Hazy amber; Head dissipates; Pleasant fruity smell; Mild sparkly mouthfeel, then shifts to kinda smooth; Flavor is slightly nutty but very mild, subdued. The flavor is a little weaker than I expected from the aroma. Not bad but not great.
You can't read it on the BA picture - on the lable it says "Not quite pale ale"
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2.81/5 rDev -17.4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 2.75
Very much a pale ale. Just not a good one. The misfortune of having to try this again reminds me of why I never liked it. A forced, artificial fruit flavor, like Jolly Ranchers and cough drops muddle the beer.
If Harpoon is a Camel, this is vaping.
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look: 3.75 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 2.75
Very much a pale ale. Just not a good one. The misfortune of having to try this again reminds me of why I never liked it. A forced, artificial fruit flavor, like Jolly Ranchers and cough drops muddle the beer.
If Harpoon is a Camel, this is vaping.
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3.74/5 rDev +10%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 3.75
12 oz in a tulip
Look: burnt orange amber color. thin white head
Smell: Pretty smell, fruity, vanilla, perfume
Taste: Perfume, fruits, no bitterness. Flavor fades quickly but is very unique and interesting. Has a bit of a veggie juice taste.
Feel: good mouth feel. Coats well
Overall: interesting, unique beer. I didn't get any pale ale or ipa characteristics at all.
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look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 3.75
12 oz in a tulip
Look: burnt orange amber color. thin white head
Smell: Pretty smell, fruity, vanilla, perfume
Taste: Perfume, fruits, no bitterness. Flavor fades quickly but is very unique and interesting. Has a bit of a veggie juice taste.
Feel: good mouth feel. Coats well
Overall: interesting, unique beer. I didn't get any pale ale or ipa characteristics at all.
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2.71/5 rDev -20.3%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 2 | feel: 2 | overall: 2
A nice amber ale colour with medium carbonation
Smells like raspberry
Tastes like cough syrup, not in a good way
Overall this isn't very pleasing to the sense of taste at all, if there was a date on the bottle I could maybe tell whether or not it's been sitting on a shelf for too long, but there's no date and I can't tell
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look: 4.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 2 | feel: 2 | overall: 2
A nice amber ale colour with medium carbonation
Smells like raspberry
Tastes like cough syrup, not in a good way
Overall this isn't very pleasing to the sense of taste at all, if there was a date on the bottle I could maybe tell whether or not it's been sitting on a shelf for too long, but there's no date and I can't tell
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3.18/5 rDev -6.5%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.25
this is probably an unfair rating. I do not enjoy IPA and expected this to be a more earthy darker lager. It was crisp and weak in that amber that I enjoy. It did burst with flavor just not the flavor I enjoy. If you love IPA's this is close with being called an IPA
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look: 3.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.25
this is probably an unfair rating. I do not enjoy IPA and expected this to be a more earthy darker lager. It was crisp and weak in that amber that I enjoy. It did burst with flavor just not the flavor I enjoy. If you love IPA's this is close with being called an IPA
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4.14/5 rDev +21.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Poured gold with a barely-there head. The bottle suggests the beer is a bit more complex than it ended up being... but I enjoyed it nonetheless. Smelled like apricots, taste followed suit with some floral notes as well. It's a crisp, easy to drink beer, all in all, I'd drink it again.
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look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Poured gold with a barely-there head. The bottle suggests the beer is a bit more complex than it ended up being... but I enjoyed it nonetheless. Smelled like apricots, taste followed suit with some floral notes as well. It's a crisp, easy to drink beer, all in all, I'd drink it again.
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4/5 rDev +17.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Tricky situation, here.
Overall, #9 is a decent beer...but it's definitely old school. I mean, it popped up in the mid nineties, somewhat as a pioneer in the craft beer scene. They did things with beer that no one had ever done, before. Apricot flavored beer? What?
It was different, and stood out in a crowd. Jeez, back then, green bottled imported beer was "fancy," and most people (in the northeast) were just drinking Bud. Beer was beer...all the same...bottles were better than cans...etc, etc.
Then #9 appeared. People were like: what's that?
Fast forward to today, and the flavor trend has shot into the stratosphere...only, the flavor comes from hops....hops that didn't even exist back then. So...cheers to Magic Hat for paving the way..sort of.
Today, there are certainly some fruit puree flavored IPAs out there that sell well...
What I liked was that I found a Can-tastic mixed 12-pk. Let's face it, cans are where it's at, today. Three cheers for the "old man" keeping it "young."
And, anyways, they've been bought and sold a few times...they aren't quite who they used to be.
So, as a beer goes, when you have a #9, you're drinking a pioneer...enjoy it for what it's worth... I do.
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look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Tricky situation, here.
Overall, #9 is a decent beer...but it's definitely old school. I mean, it popped up in the mid nineties, somewhat as a pioneer in the craft beer scene. They did things with beer that no one had ever done, before. Apricot flavored beer? What?
It was different, and stood out in a crowd. Jeez, back then, green bottled imported beer was "fancy," and most people (in the northeast) were just drinking Bud. Beer was beer...all the same...bottles were better than cans...etc, etc.
Then #9 appeared. People were like: what's that?
Fast forward to today, and the flavor trend has shot into the stratosphere...only, the flavor comes from hops....hops that didn't even exist back then. So...cheers to Magic Hat for paving the way..sort of.
Today, there are certainly some fruit puree flavored IPAs out there that sell well...
What I liked was that I found a Can-tastic mixed 12-pk. Let's face it, cans are where it's at, today. Three cheers for the "old man" keeping it "young."
And, anyways, they've been bought and sold a few times...they aren't quite who they used to be.
So, as a beer goes, when you have a #9, you're drinking a pioneer...enjoy it for what it's worth... I do.
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#9 from Magic Hat Brewing Company
Beer rating:
3.4 out of
5 with
5,849 ratings
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