Braggot
Magic Hat Brewing Company

BraggotBraggot
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From:
Magic Hat Brewing Company
 
Vermont, United States
Style:
Braggot
ABV:
6%
Score:
89
Avg:
4 | pDev: 8.25%
Reviews:
43
Ratings:
46
Status:
Retired
Rated:
Mar 13, 2012
Added:
Oct 12, 2002
Wants:
  17
Gots:
  1
An Ale Brewed with Honey Braggot is a most remarkable honey ale, made with specialty malts & wildflower honey from Vermont's Champlain Valley. The honey adds smoothness with subtle hints of chamomile. Braggot is an ale of shining perfection that simply must be experienced to be understood. But hurry ... for Braggot, as with each entry in our Humdinger series, vanishes almost as soon as it arrives. Get a bottle of Braggot today and come to know a new 'Ale of Legend'.

20 IBU
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
 
Rated: 4.75 by mfedor312 from Indiana

Mar 13, 2012
 
Rated: 4 by jfcaa193 from Canada (QC)

Feb 18, 2012
 
Rated: 4 by JAHMUR from Connecticut

Jan 20, 2012
Photo of NJpadreFan
Reviewed by NJpadreFan from New Jersey

3.88/5  rDev -3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Magic Hat- Braggot

A- Bright yellow/ orange with a good frothy head. Big ringed lacing left down my glass.
S- Sweet sugary honey malt with a touch of alc.
T- White cane sugar, honey, lemon, orange rind, and a touch of sweet grainy malt.
M- Very sweet with an alc. presence and a dry finish.

Overall- Unique but quite good and sessionable for sure.
Feb 27, 2009
Photo of JamesS
Reviewed by JamesS from Indiana

3.95/5  rDev -1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
Poured a nice golden straw color with a bit of head and just a bit of lacing. Nice scent, a nice light maltiness with a good honey hit and a slight spiciness to it, like a saisson. Good taste, a decent amount of honey with a nice ale taste, spiced enough to be good without going overboard, just enough hops to balance it out a little. Goes down fine, if not great.
Jan 10, 2009
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Reviewed by Hojaminbag from Colorado

4.13/5  rDev +3.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
I've tried this beer a few times but never got around to reviewing it, I've always had a positive experience so far though.e

Golden reddish body with a small off-white head that disapates quickly.

Smells like honey and some herbs, a little bit of maltiness.

Tasty. Lots of honey flavor with some malt in the background. Herbs come in next. The things that I seem to notice are lavender and chamomile, but there's a pretty damn good chance I'm wrong. Leaves a sweet aftertaste.

Mouthfeel is really interesting. While the beer is in your mouth it is medium bodied and well-carbonated, but as you swallow it coats your mouth with a sticky oily texture. Pretty interesting.

Fairly drinkable brew, something I'm glad I sought out for another tatse.
Oct 23, 2008
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Reviewed by rtratzlaff from North Carolina

4.3/5  rDev +7.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Upon opening this 12 oz bottle, the cap reads: "You're a winner! go to: www.magichat.net/winner"
The website tells me to mail the cap in for a free bottle opener. I have a key chain bottle opener, but this is the bar quality kind, so I will send my cap in. I will also do my best not to allow this to create a biased review.

This Braggot pours a slightly cloudy peachy amber body below a big two finger white head that slowly pops emitting aromas of honey, ginger, and fruit.

The taste is slightly sweet but with a funky thing that is probably that MH ringwood yeast. The honey flavor is there, but not real sweet. A slight spice character of the ginger keeps things interesting. The finish is somewhat dry with a clover honey flavor left upon the tongue which asks for another sip.

The mouthfeel is lighter than medium with light carbonation.

Overall this is worth a try if you can find it. I am not sure what a braggot is supposed to be, but this is surely drinkable and tasty.

This drink would go well late a night while reading a fiction. If paired with food, I would recommend sushi.
Oct 21, 2008
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Reviewed by Surlington from New York

4.22/5  rDev +5.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 5 | overall: 4
A: Golden-Amber and very cloudy.
S: Floral and slightly sweet.
T: At first, it's almost overwhelmingly fruity, but this recedes into a more drinkable maltiness. Sweetness lingers all the way through, but isn't cloying.
M: Thick and rich, but not syrupy. Extremely satisfying in this regard.
D: Had this from the tap at Spuyten Duyvil in a 20 oz. glass. It tends to fill you up quickly. Another glass might've been a little too sweet.

Overall, a really nice beer.
Aug 28, 2008
Photo of erosier
Reviewed by erosier from Connecticut

3.9/5  rDev -2.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
Pours a golden yellow from the bottle with a short and thin white head. It has a small aroma kind of like vine fruit and some honey. The taste is really interesting as this is my first braggot. It tastes like fruit and honey which is actually really nice. It has a nice mouthfeel - very smooth and is pretty drinkable. I liked it, but again, it's my first taste of a beer of this kind and I will definately try more braggot's because of this one.
Feb 20, 2008
Photo of jsled
Reviewed by jsled from Vermont

3.99/5  rDev -0.2%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
From the Artifactory. 2008-01-25. Mini-growler.

The braggot has been different in the past, but in the fall/winter of 2007/2008, this is a honey beer with chamomile.

Pours: Mostly-clear rich gold. Thin white head recedes quickly, levaing minor machine on the glass and a small island on the top. Almost no apparent carbonation.

Smells: Sweet but not strong honey. Clear floral character. Like a characteristic spring day (but in the middle of winter).

Taste: Sweet residual honey, with chamomile. Some minor sour note. Residual honey in the corners of the mouth. Clean and crisp.

Mouthfeel: Good. While not watery or thin, also not at all heavy, which is novel for such a strong honey flavor.

Drinkability: Very high. Quite tasty.
Jan 26, 2008
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Reviewed by drseamus from New York

3.75/5  rDev -6.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3.5
32oz growler from the brewery. I don't think the top was screwed on tightly enough because it was 100% flat.

A: Bright golden body with no head whatsoever.

S: The aroma is nice and light. There is obviously honey and a winey character. I think I get some cantelope and spice in there also.

T: There is a bunch of fruit in the flavor. On top of the honey, I get a lot of apple and some cherry. I really wish there was more carbonation so the flavors could stand out more. There is a bit of tartness in the aftertaste.

M: The best mouthfeel I experienced in a flat beer, honestly. It is light bodied and pretty damn good for the flavor profile. In the end though, it is flat.

D: This would be a good desert beer but not a daily drinker.
Nov 30, 2007
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Reviewed by NEhophead from Massachusetts

4.05/5  rDev +1.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
32 oz glass jug filled on 05.16.2007 at the brewery.
Note: This year's version weighs in at 7% abv.
Served in an oversized wine glass.

Slightly hazy, glowing light peach in color. Thin, creamy white head that thins to a weak sheet in a moment. Some thin and spotted lacing.

Honey and sugarcane-laden malt sweetness. Mild aromas of alcohol-soaked tropical fruit: honeydew, cantalope, melon. Reminiscent of a cream sherry.

Intensely, acidic fruit tartness: cherry, green apple, orange. Although the citric tartness persists, it recedes into the background as a pleasant, oak-touched honey-cream flavor comes through. A sharp acidity is joined by a wave of ripe alcohol. Honey and sweet cream come through in the aftertaste.

Light bodied; gaseous, even slick due to the swarming alcohol and acidic character.

A dynamic, flavorful, and complex Braggot. Props to Magic Hat for bringing back the Humdinger series, albeit on tap at the brewery only. Better than I remember the Braggot from the bottle, years ago.
May 22, 2007
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Reviewed by Stimack from New York

3.93/5  rDev -1.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5
Broke this out last evening for the New Years festivities and shared it with some friends. The brew has been sitting around in a controlled environment but was not sure what to expect, as the ABV is middle of the road. After having some trouble getting the cork out we where able to enjoy this one. It poured to a cloudy yellow color with an orange tint, nice sized white head that did not have the greatest retention but did leave some lacing around the top of our glasses. The aroma was quite solid, with sweetness to it from the honey. The brew had a fair amount of carbonation going on as we had a lot of bubbles traveling up the sides of the glass. The taste is was very reminiscent of the aroma as the honey taste, which was not over the top, was the first thing that I noticed mixed in with some fruit like flavors along with a floral taste. Over all I really liked this brew and glad to have brought it out on New Years.
Jan 01, 2007
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Reviewed by jamie2dope from Massachusetts

4.57/5  rDev +14.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5
I had this beer sitting in my basement for a while, and since its not such a strong beer, I figured it would be better to open it sooner rather then later. Poured into a small Cisco Brewers sampler glass a dark orange honey color, with not much head. Smell was great...loads of earth tones, some wild flowers, honey. Taste was even better, there was a nice chamomile presence, accompanied by the floral taste to it. It also had a good bit of spice going on, almost making the beer seem tea like in flavor. This beer was very light on the palate, almost to the point of being watery, however it really took nothing away from the quality. As far as I am concerned, if it had been big and thick, it just would not have been as interesting. The alcohol is also very well hidden...left me with a little buzz to be honest. When it comes to drinking this beer, I suggest really sipping and savoring this beer with friends...let it show itself and all its flavors for what they are: delicious.This beer for me is evidence that Magic Hat hasn't lost their stuff. I haven't been impressed with their more recent beers, but this one certainly is a bullseye for creative beer making. If you happen to see this beer at the store or at the brewery, do not hesitate to pick it up. You won't be sorry
Aug 07, 2006
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Reviewed by LuckySevens82 from Florida

3.67/5  rDev -8.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
750ml bottle courtesy of ppoitras.
Pours a golden honey color with a bright white, loosly bubbled head that disapates very quickly...no lacing either.
Smell is floral, a bit of honey (obviously), some yeasty character, and a bunch of ripe fruits. A little musty.
Taste is very wine-like, very dry and not nearly as sweet as I was expecting, massive honey flavors, flower petals, fruitiness (pears, apples, grapes), and just a bit of musty yeast characteristic. Hops are present, but very much in the back ground. A little wheat seems to be present as well, as this has a bit of a tart bite to it.
Mouthfeel is good, not that sweet and just enough carbonation to balance it out.
Overall, this isn't what I was expecting, but still interesting. Worth a try, but not something I could buy consistently.
May 21, 2005
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Reviewed by woodychandler from Pennsylvania

4.32/5  rDev +8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Cask-conditioned from the Cask Head Fest at Brazen Head (Brooklyn, NY)

The color was a cloudy golden-yellow with a very sweet, cloying honey nose. The mouthfeel is thick, almost syrupy, and the honey is wildly evident. It is on the finish that the wildflowers (chamomile) and spices really present themselves. I can easily envision this as yet another alternative to a hefeweizen on a hot summer's day.
Dec 30, 2004
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Reviewed by Imbiber from New York

4.79/5  rDev +19.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
Cask-conditioned at The Brazen Head's cask festival (Brooklyn, NY).

Hazy amber, minimal head (on gravity dispense straight from the cask). Flowery, perfumed aroma. The pleasant flavour was bittersweet, with honey and chamomile at the fore. Slight buttery texture, not a detraction though. Semi-sweet, long, pleasurable finish. A very enjoyable, distinctive beer that tastes better than it looks. Outstanding in fact, easy drinking, flavoursome and unusual - a beer I could drink all weekend. And I did...
Oct 25, 2004
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Reviewed by bultrey from New York

3.45/5  rDev -13.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
Hmmmm. interesting change of pace here. This is my first braggot, and I think it fulfilled my expectations... which frankly were not that high. I expected it to have a delicately honeyed nose, and it did; I expected it to taste strongly of honey with floral and grassy undertones, and it did; I expected it to have a thin mouthfeel, and it did. I think on cask, this was especially thin, and I would like to try the bottled version some day. I suspect it would be much better. Overall an OK beer, but I'm pretty sure I would not want it on cask again.
Oct 25, 2004
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Reviewed by RocketWidget from Massachusetts

3.95/5  rDev -1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
My first Braggot! Very exciting. Comes in a unique corked 1pt. 9 fl. oz. bottle that looks black when full, but is actually green when empty. This bottle is the same as the Thumbsucker bottle, except the label is attached, not painted on. WARNING! You need a freaking corkscrew to get the cork out, even though it is a champagne cork!

This beer is quite unique. Pours a (you guessed it) honey yellow color, hazy. Head is moderate, light and fluffy, but disperses quickly, leaving only a light residue. Smell is of honey above all, with perhaps a hint of hoppy goodness.

Taste is quite decent. I expected a overpowering sweet honey taste, instead the taste of honey merges rather well with the sweetness of the malt. Fairly carbonated. Hoppyness is only detectable in the aftertaste, not on the initial taste.

Overall, a fair beer to try from one of my favorite brewers. But at $10 a bottle, this is probably only for the beer enthusiast, and even then, probably only worth it once. Cheers!
Jun 14, 2004
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Reviewed by mschofield from Massachusetts

4.15/5  rDev +3.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Pours a hazy opaque orange, pillowy white head.
Sweet honey nose, very pleasant, grassy.
Floral bouquet, sugar cookies in the taste and a superb honey base, note of pear. Reminds me of German wine.
Medium-full feel. I would definitely pick this one up again.
May 21, 2004
Braggot from Magic Hat Brewing Company
Beer rating: 89 out of 100 with 46 ratings