Magic Hat--Night of the Living Dead

[Dude]

NOLD variety pack = pretty damn good, minus one.

It has a variety of :

#9
Circus Boy
Batch 375
Jinx

#9--Always a nice choice. Very drinkable.
Circus Boy--One of the worst American wheats I've had--I gave these to my friends.
Batch 375--Pleasant surprise. Had no idea what it was until I cracked my first one, and it knocked my socks off. A VERY hoppy IPA. I love it. Could be a touch maltier, but a fine beer.
Jinx--Hit of the whole pack. It is a bready, biscuity, slightly smoky amber in color brew that I could drink all day long. Not much for hops but well done despite the fact that it leans on the malty side. I wish I could brew something this nice.

I'd recommend this variety pack for anyone. I wento to the beer store on base to get another pack tonight and they are already out of it. they did have a sixxer of Jinx though, so I'm happy. :rockin:

 

[puravida286]

I've been drinking that variety pack like a champ because its my source of non twist-off bottles. #9 is quite sweet due to the apricot extract...a hit with every beer drinker. I agree that Jinx is a very nice winter brew, probably my favorite. Batch 375 is almost too hoppy, and I'm a hop-head. It has too much "spicyness" with the hops, not enough citrus or floral tones. Still a very drinkable IPA if you're seriously down with some intense hop flavor. Circus boy is piss poor...

 

[david_42]

apricot extract...

One word: Barf!

 

[todd_k]

Circus Boy is one of the only American Wheat's I can tolerate.

 

[ryser2k]

I always thought Circus Boy tasted like floor cleaner.

Batch 375 is a double IPA, I believe... I looked it up on their site a while ago before they changed things all around.

 

[Buford]

I tried a Batch 375 not knowing what it was. Upon sniffing it I figured it was an IPA (turns out it's a double IPA). Not being a huge fan of IPAs, the first reaction to the taste was that the stuff could peel the paint off the wall. Man that stuff is bitter. IPA fans might like it, but it's not for me.

 

[Fiery Sword]

I bought this 12'r this past weekend also. While it is definitely sub-par, I have to say that I did end up drinking the Circus Boy.

More importanly, however, I had an observation on #9. It really seems to me that #9 is much more over-the-top apricot'y that it was years back. Almost like they did make the switch to an extract from a subtle fruit infusion. Seriosuly, the apricot taste was front and center. I never remember it being that pronounced. I remember thinking this once or twice lately, so maybe the beer is evolving. If so, it is not getting better, but less great.

 

[puravida286]

Well I know the #9 is making a strong appearance in the college bar scene...they might have upped the sweetness to appeal to a "less mature" beer drinking palate