Magic Hat Anti Oxidant Acid Ale

Formerly brewed at Magic Hat Brewing Company
Style: Sour Ale
South Burlington, Vermont USA

Draught at Anam Cara January 2005. Very lovely pour, deep burgundy and garnet colored body, with a beige-cream colored head that is retained throughout the entire glass (clings to the edges). Nose smells of deeply tannic wood notes, sour mash whiskey and peat smoked scotch (very faint). Upon first sip I think, "Another garbage Magic Hat beer." But then something takes hold, perhaps the extreme dryness, the subtle yet strong whiskey and the lightly fruity tannins. As it warms, I can’t help but like it even more, as the dryness does not seem to be a major problem, though in the end, it could use more malt sweetness. Little to no trace of the cherries. If there is anything overdone here, it is the whiskey/oak flavor on the end, or the dryness. But I’m a fan. Think I might go back for more this weekend. MUCH better after I let it sit out for a half an hour, warming the glass with my hands. I give it a couple extra points for tasting fresh and unspasteurised (at least Magic Hat does a few things right).

Appealing, clean, fresh aroma has some nice oak and brett character and berry-like fruits with a lightly sour undertone. Opaque reddish-brown with huge tan head that lasts forever. Oak and red wine tannins are strong with a nice mild brettiness, some light hints of alcohol and a fresh, lightly tart, fruity flavour. Medium-light body with effervescent mouthfeel and a pleasant texture. Served very cold on tap at the Extreme Beer Festival (2005). I think it may have been more expressive at warmer temperatures.

Draft, EBF: Big beige yellowish head covers a typical oud bruin hazy reddish amber hue. Off the trail nose puts the funk forward through cidery horseyness and shining brettanomyces wildness at lambic level (more than many in fact) Bready and airy aromas comprises mysterious layers of refreshing pomegranate and orange fruitiness and contribute to a decadence filled scent. It fails to impress as much on the tongue where the weird brett evolution overwhelms through an almost cardboardy finish. At the same time, the mouthfeel is not too conclusive, light carbonation mixes with light-medium body to make a rather stale texture. Still, as it is an highly memorable beer that makes me more than thirsty for their other derivatives from this recipe.

Sample at XBF:

The Lure:
Lambic-y funky dirt surfing highly acid multi-fruitiness and feverish carbonation. A nice enigmatic lacing ensues.

The Festivities:
Insanely funky flavors bounce off the sturdy wood cask in quasi-chaos. Fruit salad is diluted by some dew drops, as a thin body is somewhat helped by the pugnacious effervescence. Intriguingly cuckoo.