I just love Magic Hat’s HiPA and Blind Faith. How can they make beer like that and also make beers like the latest odd notion (tastes like green apple candy >:( )
Their other mediocre beers Wacko, #9, and Circus Boy are big sellers ($$$) but couldn’t they use the odd notion series as a way to showcase their creativity instead of making mediocre beers (ok I’m being nice…the fall odd notion is awful)?
Anyway, my beer rant for the day…I feel a little better now.
New Glarus seems to be like that as well. I don’t care for the Spotted Cow or Fat Squirrel but those are their two biggest sellers. New Glarus makes some really good specialty beers. It is their big selling beers that allow them to do the “funky” stuff. It’s just the way things are.
I must be missing out on the good stuff, cause I have yet to have a MH beer that wowed me. Yer right . . the Wacko is a waste of water and glass. The #9, which I’m guessing is one of their more recognized brews, is quite forgettable. Hmm. . can’t even remember the names of the others I’ve tried. That’s how much of an impression they’ve made . . . :-\
I’ve tried some Magic Hat brews- the “expert” beer guy at Central Market gushed about them. I think their beer tastes infected, though the Oktoberfest isn’t too bad. Overall thumbs down, I just don’t get the philosophy.
I’ve never had a magic hat beer that tasted infected. I believe they use ringwood yeast for most of their beers…
That’s just it though…their odd notion series has had beers that are just as bland and ordinary as their regular brews. What’s even more annoying is about a year ago they released a small batch of an IIPA in kegs to a few local bars and it was one of the best IIPAs I’ve ever had. Unfortunately it was never released in bottles or in kegs again. It just annoys me because over they years they have produced some great beers only to put them on the scrap heap and release another crappy beer to feed the masses. I guess that’s what happens when you make beer only to make money…
I’ve never had a Magic Hat beer that I liked. I really don’t know how they stay in business.
It’s not just me!
I’ve been mulling over whether or not to try MH HiPA, I’ve tried a couple other brews they made and wasn’t overly impressed. I agree with Euge in that I think a Lot of microbrews taste infected to me… not just those from MH either.
I haven’t brewed again in a while since I got sick but I will say that for the last year either my tastebuds have changed or all the beers I’ve made in that time were infected also. I seriously have a hard time finding what I would call a good beer anymore. Bitter don’t get it, I can chew on bark off a tree or herb if all I want is bitter… or chew a vicadin and chase it with water if I want bitter wet with a kick… bleh… LOL!