Magic Hat releases new brews
Magic Hat promotional coaster
Blog reader Emma requested that I use the “cocktails” tag more this year, and her wish is my command. Yesterday, I received samples of two new Magic Hat brews in the mail. One is called Magic Hat Vinyl and the other is the Spring ’10 addition to their Odd Notion Series. Take a look at the cute little coaster they sent along as a promotion for Vinyl.
I cracked open the Spring ’10 brew last night, and let me just say that it is delightful. It’s an unfiltered American wheat IPA with incredibly subtle citrus undertones. I found it to be very refreshing, with just the right amount of bitterness. For all you beer geeks out there, the Spring ’10 has a bitterness score of 35 and 6 percent alcohol by volume.
I haven’t had a chance to check out the Vinyl yet, but according to Magic Hat it is an amber lager with a bitterness score of 16 and 5.1 percent alcohol by volume.
I should’ve drank the Vinyl last night, because according to the local Magic Hat distributor, Blue Ridge Beverage, that’s the one that has already hit store shelves. A customer service representative for BRB said Magic Hat Vinyl is on Kroger shelves now, so it ought to be in some other places, too. I’ve got some calls out. She said the Spring ’10 is not here yet, but it should be soon. It’s part of the variety pack.
If anyone sees these beers out on tap, let us know. And let me know what you think if you try them.
January 15, 2010 - 10:09 AM
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My husband loves Magic Hat. I will definitely let him know!
Used to live three blocks from Magic Hat. Great people. Great brews! Was so excited when 9s finally arrived in Roanoke! By bitterness score are youre referring to IBUs Lyndsey? I ditto the request of Blog Reader Emma. There are also a lot of great homebrewers and wine makers in the region. Blue Ridge Hyrdroponics has everything you need to get started and then some. Check it out beer/wine geeks!
Uptheriver, I would guess that is the IBU, yes. It came off the Magic Hat Web site. It just said “Bitterness: 35.” I’m still learning about my beers.
I think Southwest Virginia is incredibly lucky to have so many craft brewers. I did a story about that not long ago. And you’re correct, Blue Ridge Hydroponics is a GREAT source for home brewers. Nice folks, too.
I’ll have to check that out. I like Blue Moon, so I’ll give Spring ’10 a shot since it sounds somewhat similar. I honestly hadn’t liked any Ales much at all, until Blue Moon. Something about the flavor just turned me away from them. Vinyl though, I will definitely try. I am all about lagers.
OJ, take note that the one I tried was the Spring ’10, not the Vinyl. But you are correct, the Spring ’10 reminded me somewhat of Blue Moon, which is a favorite of mine as well.
MH’s winter seasonal (called HOWL) is pretty sweet. we just got MH here in Austin about 6 months ago
On a recent trip back to Roanoke to visit family, I was stunned to see the microbrew selection in Kroger. They carried such a great variety of quality beer at reasonable prices.
I’ll suggest to anyone that is looking for a good brew to check out Victory Brewery (Downingtown, PA). They have a style for any kind of beer lover. Start with HopDevil or Prima Pils and see what else you like!
http://www.victorybeer.com
I do enjoy having a good, more expensive beer from time to time. Blue Moon, Sam Adams, Stella Artois, Grolsch, Red Bridge…they’re all pretty good. For cheap stuff, I still prefer a good ol’ PBR, or Yeungling. The specialty stuff from Magic Hat, Flying Dog, Starr Hill, and others that I’ve had are good too.
Has anyone tried Track One from Roanoke Railhouse? Also, Awful Arthurs at Towers is brewing their own these days and have some great regulars – as well as seasonal beers – to offer.
It’s great to have some local options in the bar mix around here.
I’ve had Track One and all of the AA beers. They’re very good.
For the lowdown on most of the microbreweries in SWVa., check out this story I did about a beer festival in Blacksburg. The festival’s over, but all of the info on the breweries is still relevant:
http://www.roanoke.com/entertainment/insideout/stories/wb/223305
WOW! My favorite topic: BEER! I have never been a Magic Hat fan, have tried the No. 9 on drought and several other brews in bottles, haven’t liked any of them. Until a month or so ago when I tried their seasonal Winter Howl on drought at All Sports/Salem. It’s a really good beer. I have had the RR Track One on several occasions and I think that it’s a pretty good beer. My local favs, though, BY FAR, are at Awful’s/Towers! Those beers are all awesome! And they have something for pretty much everyone, too. Some of my fav micro breweries w/ beer available locally are Rogue, Flying Dog, Dogfish Head, Starr Hill…the list goes on. Lots of good beers available in singles at “Sumdat Farms Market” on the Roanoke City Market. Also at Countryside Classics in Salem. That’s it for now from Dennis, AKA “the beer snob!”
Okay, I’ve tried the Magic Hat Vinyl and I didn’t like it as much as the Spring ’10 Odd Notion Series beer. But that could just be my personal preferences. Vinyl has pretty noticeable coffee undertones and I don’t generally care for that much in beers. Many people would probably like it. I gravitate more toward the lighter beers and I love those citrus notes in the Spring ’10.
I picked up a 6-pack of this after reading about it here. Magic Hat’s been hit or miss with my tastes. Some of their stuff I found tasty, others not so much. The Winter Howl may be one of the better beers of theirs I have tasted.
The Vinyl was…okay. I like a lot of amber ales and lagers (like Starr Hill, Troegs, Highland Brewery)but as Lindsey noted this one had a bit of a coffee undertone to it that wasn’t completely to my liking. Don’t get me wrong, the 6-pack disappeared quickly(urp!) and I wasn’t choking it down by any means. I surely wouldn’t turn another one down if offered, but this is not a beer I will actively see out again.
Flanary’s Pub (Jefferson Street–former Cara O’Cane’s spot) has Magic Hat. The Magic Hat rep was there last Wednesday night with samples.
This is so odd – I entered a search last week for bars carrying Spring ’10 within 100 miles of my zip code, 24012, on the Magic Hat Web site and I swear it says they couldn’t tell me because of ABC law. But I ran a few different searches tonight and it pulled up the bars. Someone else play around with it if you want and tell me if I’m crazy:
http://www.magichat.net/