The Magician
Short's Brewing Company

The MagicianThe Magician
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From:
Short's Brewing Company
 
Michigan, United States
Style:
Irish Red Ale
Ranked #99
ABV:
6.8%
Score:
79
Ranked #26,506
Avg:
3.48 | pDev: 15.23%
Reviews:
171
Ratings:
407
Status:
Active
Rated:
Oct 16, 2023
Added:
Mar 21, 2008
Wants:
  13
Gots:
  49
The Magician is a lustrous, dark-red, London style Red Ale with a rich grain bill. The grain combination lends complex notes of toasted caramel, raisins, chocolate, and roasted toffee. Very light hop additions let the true malt characters show throughout this beer.

20 IBU
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by Avagadro:
Photo of Avagadro
Reviewed by Avagadro from New Jersey

1.94/5  rDev -44.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 1.5
A: Pours ruby red with a touch of cream colored head and a slight haze. I would have liked to see a less-hazy product, as well as a bit more of a head.

S: There is something off here immediately. Sweet caramel melds with diacetyl and a citrusy twang.

T: The same three contestants are present in the taste, battling over the terrirory. The result is a war-torn pallete that is less-than pleased.

M: Full bodied and slightly carbonated.

D: If it weren't for all of the other reviews posting similar experiences, I would swear that this is a bad batch. Way too much diacetyl, and there is also the weird twang. I don't know what it is, but it has no place being there. Their goal was to let the malts take the stage, but they failed.
Jun 08, 2010
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 3.96 by Phoodcritic from Michigan

Oct 16, 2023
Photo of Valdez_Mescalito
Reviewed by Valdez_Mescalito from Michigan

4.3/5  rDev +23.6%
look: 5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
August 2023 Passion Project Release - 6 pack
12 oz. can dated ? - 6.3% ABV / 20 IBU
Brewed and canned in Elk Rapids, MI
Poured into a Bell's branded nonic pint glass

Look - Pours a thick and dense off-white head that sticks around and leaves lacing. Dark red appearance.
Smell - The scent is mostly caramel and toffee.
Taste - The taste follows the nose and it's very muted.
Feel - Medium-thick bodied with a smooth mouthfeel and finishes with minimal dryness.
Overall - This is a very easy going pub ale. Nothing crazy, but it's easy to drink.
Aug 11, 2023
 
Rated: 3.38 by RalphStanley34 from French Polynesia

Aug 19, 2022
 
Rated: 3.6 by GoBearsWalter34 from Illinois

Nov 14, 2020
 
Rated: 3.95 by Buck_Jones from Michigan

Jul 06, 2019
 
Rated: 3.5 by Muss42 from Michigan

Feb 15, 2019
 
Rated: 3.71 by 6thstreetbrewpub from District of Columbia

Jul 30, 2018
 
Rated: 3 by Coho11 from Ohio

Jul 08, 2018
Photo of breakingbland
Reviewed by breakingbland from Michigan

3.94/5  rDev +13.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Served in a pint glass at the brewery in Bellaire. A very good beer. Deep in its appearance and flavor profile. This is billed as a London style ale. (Not to be picky, but I drank this with a Brit who said that it was a little malty.)
Feb 09, 2018
 
Rated: 3.25 by Eddyfunt from Michigan

Jul 20, 2017
Photo of Tsar_Riga
Reviewed by Tsar_Riga from Minnesota

3.71/5  rDev +6.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Dark brown body, semi-opaque, thin head but lots of tan lacing. Nose is heavy with the booze, flavor has caramel and a dry close. Decent malt oriented beer, with an easy feel that makes it quite drinkable.
Jul 08, 2017
 
Rated: 3.66 by Gravewalker from Washington

Apr 08, 2017
 
Rated: 3.66 by mattsucks from Ohio

Dec 16, 2016
 
Rated: 3.37 by DangerDawg from Ohio

Sep 28, 2016
 
Rated: 3.68 by thedifferencemaker from Ohio

Jun 26, 2016
 
Rated: 3.37 by Jackalope1977 from Michigan

Jun 10, 2016
 
Rated: 3.79 by Dustin_A_Stoutdrinker from Michigan

Apr 01, 2016
 
Rated: 3.75 by red94tt from Michigan

Mar 23, 2016
Photo of Billydoughnuts
Rated by Billydoughnuts from Michigan

4.01/5  rDev +15.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
One of my faves early on in my craft travels. Should revisit, probably don't care for much now
Feb 17, 2016
The Magician from Short's Brewing Company
Beer rating: 79 out of 100 with 407 ratings