It is a summer wheat ale brewed with orange and finished with honey added. It has a clear golden color and pours with only a thin head. You have to strain yourself to pick up any smells beyond the faint aroma typical to wheat ales. It tastes like a mild wheat ale, thin but not watery. It was slightly sweet with the honey, nice but not over powering. The citrus or orange flavor hovers just out of tasting, I could tell something was there but it was not coming through as orange. This ale is a smooth drinker with moderate to low carbonation and just over 5% ABV.
Nothing excitable here, but it is easy to drink and I have not got tired of it. I must say I have had quite of few of these over the last couple of weeks, they leave you feeling clean enough to have another as you enjoy the summer sun. It gets a Gnotions rating of passable and pleasing in the right weather.
Cheers.
I like the Sierra Nevada Summerfest brew. It's is a very crisp, slightly floral, brew and quite a departure from the other Sierra Nevada products.
ReplyDeleteThe other day I had a Magic Hat, summer ’10, Odd Notion. I tasted banana in a beer for the first time. Of course, there is no banana in the beer. The taste is created by the yeast and wheat combination. I should hope you can find a Magic Hat mixed 12 pack in the neighborhood of New England?
I've been drinking my latest homebrew this past week. It's a hefeweizen and is not too shabby.
@Chris - I find that I don't care for most Sierra Nevada brews that I have tried. I don't recall trying the Summerfest, but that may be me avoiding the brand altogether. If I have the option, I will try that particular brew.
ReplyDeleteBeing so close to Vermont, Magic Hat beers are readily available in most stores here. Though the selection is usually limited to Number Nine, a seasonal, and a seasonal variety pack. I really like Number Nine, and purchase that several times a year. I have had less luck with their other concoctions. I find they miss more than they hit. (I should have done a review of Wacko - that would have had a no recommendation). Ever the optimist, I purchase the variety pack only to be disappointed by half the contents. Ah, such is the life of the beer adventurer. :)
I have not done homebrews. It is more time than I am willing to invest and there are so many beer choices without that. Part is the volume. I drink such a variety of libations that I would be hard pressed to finish the home brew while enjoying other beers, wines & whisk(e)y. Now, if only my neighbors would make home brews... that would be different.
Thanks for posting. Cheers!
Magic Hat tries some "odd" combinations in brewing but that's the trend in modern brewing. I enjoy their dark beers or ales more than the wheat styles. Until recently I wasn't a fan of wheat beers and I still prefer pub ales or lagers to whit bier.
ReplyDeleteMagic Hat #9 is one of the top 5 beers in North America and I actually like Wacko. It's nice to chat about beer with a fellow rpg blogger. I feel there's a Magic Hat beer review in my blogging future!
Chris - who's ranking has #9 in the top 5 in North America? I won't argue it is quite good, but wondering who rated it.
ReplyDeleteI am a fan of most beer styles. The only one that really turns me away is IPA, I cannot get past over the top hops taste. Wheat beers, lagers, dark beers, stouts, all find favor in my taste buds.
I'll look for your Magic Hat review.