Initial woodsy spruce-pine mouthfeel and spice-hopped luxuriance of hazy russet IPA overcome alcohol-burned grapefruit peel bittering countering tangy orange-apricot-berry sweetness. Latent metallic astringency depletes herbal respite.
All posts by John Fortunato
MAGIC HAT KEROUAC
On tap at Poughkeepsie hotspot, Half Time, bland pink magenta fruit ale does disservice to Beat poet Jack Kerouac’s legend. Narrow sugar ‘beet’ tweak settles under completely subdued cherry-cranberry tartness and prickly hop-fizzed nothingness. Wispy watermelon sweetness barely detected above bread-y bottom.
MAGIC HAT JINX
Ironic ‘Jinx’ moniker puts whammy on elusive ’02-introduced light-bodied peat-smoked autumnal ale inspired by ‘doctrines of medieval chemists.’ Acidic sour orange esters haunt muted wheat-grass trifle, vacant raisin triviality, benign hickory smoked sweetness and abbreviated earthen wood tones, nearly putting potion in dire straits. Originally mistook surreptitious pecan-cocoa sway and dried fig dash embellishing resinous hop scourge for metallic astringency.
MAGIC HAT HUMBLE PATIENCE RED ALE
Peat-y mahogany-hazed Irish-styled red ale with unique peppercorn bittering, roasted coffee siding, black cherry tang, and dry plum finish better defined as a stylish brown ale (or nutty Copper Ale). Dewy molasses creeps through sedately spice-hopped wood bleaching and tertiary orange peel nuance.
MAGIC HAT HOCUS POCUS ALE
Dank sour citrus aroma, bland watery texture, unspecific fruity tartness, and sharp hop coarseness make up the mainstream appeal of this not so ‘tricky’ tonic.
MAGIC HAT HI.P.A.
Embittered citric frontage perfectly counters piney hop blackening as floral illusions and ambrosial nuances paint honeyed caramel corners. Lemon-peeled orange-dried mango sweetness caresses aromatic evergreen permeation to mineral water base. ’09s hazier version featured Grateful Dead-styled label artwork and brisker hop intrigue. ’11s updated summer offering retained refreshingly juicy grapefruit rind bittering and brighter stone fruiting, besting previous efforts.
MAGIC HAT HEART OF DARKNESS STOUT
Weak tawny-headed, garnet-hued, resin-hopped faux-oatmeal stout with dry-roasted coffee bitterness, chalky mocha desolation, faraway metallic nuttiness, and breezy raspberry wisp stays a bit too fizzy. Lack of firm chocolate creaminess and toasted grain depth truly hurt its slim chance.
MAGIC HAT FEAST OF FOOLS HOLIDAY STOUT
Jet black-hued reddish meringue-headed stout retains up-front maraschino cherry and Black Forest cake illusions, settling to frothy espresso-coffee finish. Dry prune deepness tucked beneath tart raspberry-blackberry-grape confluence receives minor tar-charcoal-molasses recess, retaining citric acidity of brewers’ fruitier fare.
MAGIC HAT FAT ANGEL ALE
Perky bubbles rise to top of ester-fruited ‘paler shade of ale’ marketed towards aged-in-the-wool hippies. Candied sour apple resonation fades to spice-hopped floral-dashed coriander-seasoned apricot-orange elegance aloft sweet butterscotch-tingled barleymalt bed.
MAGIC HAT CIRCUS BOY HEFEWEIZEN
Unfiltered golden-clouded pearly-headed summer wheat offers rigid sour lemon tartness affecting edible floral waft and raw honeyed penetration. Juniper embitters peppery hop trod and earthen piney trail subsuming wispy banana flirt.
MAGIC HAT BRAGGOT ALE
Honey-soaked Mardi Gras-themed light-bodied curiosity pits up-front ginger-mint-eucalyptus herbs against currant-dried orange-cherry-berry medley and floral jasmine waft. At second passing, noticeable tealeaf influence soaks through maple warmth.
