Magic Hat Odd Notion (Summer 08)

Aroma: 6 | Appearance: 7 | Mouthfeel: 8 | Flavor: 8 | Overall: 7

The aroma is strong and of chocolate and roasted malts with maybe some whiskey characteristics as well as some raisin and very faint bitter. The appearance is of brownish-burgundy but a very nice chestnut to mahogany in color when held to the light with a massive, carbonated head on top that is bubbly and dissipates very slowly and is light-brown in color. The mouthfeel is medium in body with nice malty complexity with pretty decent balance with a palate that is solid and wet-like and coats well. The flavor is very malty with sweetness as well as creamy and of roasted and chocolate malt with earthy overtones with an aftertaste that is smooth and almost silky and tasty with a finish that is wet but turns slightly dry with hints of coffee present. Overall, this is a good beer and very filling with a nice malty backbone with some nice and slight bitter in the flavor; I like this solid mild ale.

Aroma: 6 | Appearance: 5 | Mouthfeel: 6 | Flavor: 5 | Overall: 5

Looks like Magic Hat has labeled every beer they don't have a name for Odd Notion as I've seen several listings for Odd Notion and none of the descriptions fit the beer I had at the Tap and Mallet in Rochester, NY. I must say that the thought of Magic Hat doing a sour ale was exciting, but this version falls short of greatness.

The beer I had came from draught in a standard pint glass. It had a very weak sour aroma to it that was that of grapefruit and maybe even granny smith apple. There was also a wheatyness to the aroma, almost like you'd expect with a hefeweizen. The beer's appearance was that of a light amber ale. There were spots of carbonation bubbling up throughout the glass but nothing was consistent. There was a light head that quickly dissolved as well.

The taste and mouthfeel didn't get much better. The carbonation left a mild tingle on the tongue, but the flavor was very bland. I was expecting a powerful sour punch to it and was left disappointed. It was almost like a hefeweizen mixed with some lemonade. Not very appetizing.

In whole, this was a very disappointing beer from one of my favorite breweries in Vermont. I think they had the right idea but this recipe totally missed it's mark.

Aroma: 9 | Appearance: 6 | Mouthfeel: 7 | Flavor: 8 | Overall: 8

Poured dark brown to black with high carbonation .The flavor was very easy to deink. The malty slightly sweet taste was very drinkable. The aroma was very faint with no one aroma muscling through

Aroma: 5 | Appearance: 7 | Mouthfeel: 7 | Flavor: 6 | Overall: 6

Single bottle from the local grocer, best by September of 2008. Amber-copper in color with a diminishing filmy tan head and little lacing. Rich aroma of organic peat, toffee, and buttery wheat bread. Malty mouth feel with a medium body and rolling creamy finish. Drinkable to say the least, I don't think it would take too much effort to polish off a sixer. Mild flavor, a bit less involved than the aroma. Caramel and bread with a touch of smoke flavoring. Earthy and grainy, a hint of mild hops to balance it out. It's decent for what it is.