About
The idea of Magic Hat began where so many good ideas before it began: in a bathtub. This bathtub, located on Vermont’s Goddard College campus and devoid of a plaque of recognition, is where Bob Johnson brewed his first batch of beer. After years of honing his craft, Bob was finally ready for the big time. Soon after he realized his readiness, he re-met Alan Newman, a serial entrepreneur with whom Bob had worked in a past life. Bob told Alan of his plans and before a handshake could take place, the two were jet-setting to the West Coast for research.

Upon their return to Burlington, Bob and Alan began their search for a space to call their own. That search landed them in an abandoned factory on Flynn Avenue in Burlington’s South End, where Bob would finally brew Bob’s First, Magic Hat’s debut ale and, soon after, the first batches of #9, Fat Angel and Blind Faith.

Admin Note: In July 2020, Magic Hat sold their production facility and broke ties with the state of Vermont. All beers are brewed at the FIFCO owned Genesee Brewing facility in Rochester, NY.
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Clarkvv (17430) reviewed
Heart of Darkness Stout (-2006) from Magic Hat Brewing Company
21 years ago
6.8/10 — Appearance 8 Aroma 6 Flavor 7 Texture 6 Overall 7
Late 2004 bottle, consumed 3/31/05. Pour is a dark brown, with some blackness in the heart of it and also light mahogany influences on the edges. Initial light tan-beige head is small, and not long retained. Aroma of raisins, dates, caramel, sweet chocolate and a very easygoing roast. Not dry, aggressive and challenging, but that’s not always a bad thing. Flavor is qutie sweet and simple to start, chocolate mousse with caramel throughout, creamy, chocolate milk shakes and a touch of earthy, dry roasted malt. Hint of green-like hops juiciness/bitterness on the end. Very drinkable stuff, with a silky mouthfeel, after it breathes. Gets a little bit tiresome as I finish the bottle, it is rather simple and chocolatey, afterall.
Tried from Bottle on 01 Apr 2005 at 16:11
Clarkvv (17430) reviewed
Hi.P.A. from Magic Hat Brewing Company
21 years ago
6.4/10 — Appearance 8 Aroma 6 Flavor 6 Texture 6 Overall 6.5
Hello Pennsylvania! On draught at Parrish Cafe, 3/31/05. Soft, honey and copper-toned orange body with a large and lasting light beige head. Mostly clear, though some chill haze to start. Smells of floral notes, light citrus (orange zest, sweet lemons, limes), a bit of honey. Colombus hops are pretty hard to go wrong with for an IPA, it seems. I’m not getting much marris otter out of the nose. Flavor begins muted and easygoing, with a lightly dry bitterness from the hops softly asserting itself throughout the entire experience. Some slight caramel and toffee, or maybe I’m just imagining that. Anyways, a good enough body to keep it drinkable without being too watery. A bit of dry, paperiness on the end, with a little prickliness from the alcohol and malt earthiness. But it’s mainly just a fluffy, lightly sweet, modestly hopped ale, that passes from memory quite easily. . .
Tried on 01 Apr 2005 at 14:27
Frothingslosh (20518) reviewed
#9 from Magic Hat Brewing Company
21 years ago
7/10 — Appearance 6 Aroma 7 Flavor 7 Texture 8 Overall 7
Sampled this one on draft at Zeno’s in State College, PA. It poured a medium gold color with a small white head. There was a light sweet fruity aroma. The flavor was dry apricot with light malt notes underneath and a dry almost seed like flavor on the finish. Much dryer than I would have expected given the style and aroma. A pleasant beer overall and one I would get again.
Tried from Draft on 27 Mar 2005 at 10:00
SpringsLicker (4049) reviewed
Thumbsucker Imperial Stout from Magic Hat Brewing Company
21 years ago
8.1/10 — Appearance 8 Aroma 8 Flavor 8 Texture 8 Overall 8.5
Big, black and oily. Perhaps 90 weight. Balanced malt and Bourbon aroma that I could linger over for a while. Flavors of chocolate, licorice with some soy sauce delivered on a smooth palate that lngers on and on. Nciely done and worth seeking out the 2004 batch from which this one came.
Tried on 08 Mar 2005 at 16:04
Lubiere (25160) reviewed
Batch 369 from Magic Hat Brewing Company
21 years ago
6.4/10 — Appearance 6 Aroma 7 Flavor 6 Texture 6 Overall 6.5
Dec. 2004. Deep red ruby ale with a thin off-white head. Pleasant notes of cloves, honey and pungeant hops in aroma, with light orange notes. Sweet malt and light citrus and pears, very fruity, with light nutty notes in finsih. Medium bodied.
Tried on 06 Mar 2005 at 17:14
jhaase (15105) reviewed
#9 from Magic Hat Brewing Company
21 years ago
5.4/10 — Appearance 8 Aroma 5 Flavor 5 Texture 6 Overall 4.5
Bottle
Amber, creamy head. Perfumed aroma. Flavor is also overly perfumed, like in soap, strikes me as artificial, grainy cardboard in backgound. Light body. Not my cup of tea
Tried from Bottle on 04 Mar 2005 at 13:54
Silphium (4337) reviewed
Heart of Darkness Stout (-2006) from Magic Hat Brewing Company
21 years ago
7/10 — Appearance 8 Aroma 7 Flavor 7 Texture 6 Overall 7
Deep translucent red/brown body, medium cream head. Smells like a dry stout with dark chocolate and tannic roasts. Flavorwise this is definitely a sweet stout, with chocolate and toasts along with coffee, oatmeal, and unfermented sugars. Slightly medicinal, herbal finish. What this really reminds me of is a combination of Anchor Porter and Arcadia Starboard Stout, perhaps with a touch of Mackeson XXX thrown in for good measure. Perhaps a bit thin-bodied, but certainly quaffable. Thanks Dan (jah noth) for the bottle!
Tried from Bottle on 05 Feb 2005 at 20:43
Clarkvv (17430) reviewed
Anti Oxidant Acid Ale from Magic Hat Brewing Company
21 years ago
7.5/10 — Appearance 8 Aroma 7 Flavor 8 Texture 6 Overall 8
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).
Tried from Can on 05 Feb 2005 at 15:59
Dogbrick (24514) reviewed
Thumbsucker Imperial Stout from Magic Hat Brewing Company
21 years ago
7.6/10 — Appearance 10 Aroma 7 Flavor 7 Texture 8 Overall 7.5
This Stout pours pitch black with a medium thick and foamy dark beige head. The head lasts pretty well and there is thin stringy lacing. The aroma is vinous and the bourbon comes through just a little. Full-bodied but really not on the same level as the better Imperial Stouts out there. As a matter of fact this beer barely seems to fall into that category. Mildly bitter with coffee, fruit and whisky flavors. Smooth mouthfeel but the big flavor profile of the better Imperials is missing. The finish is lightly bitter and dry. A good Stout in it’s own right but it doesn’t compare with the greats.
Tried on 05 Feb 2005 at 13:39
Silphium (4337) reviewed
Blind Faith from Magic Hat Brewing Company
21 years ago
7.2/10 — Appearance 8 Aroma 7 Flavor 7 Texture 8 Overall 7
Hazy copper body, big puffy cream head. Earthy, bready, yeasty aroma with pine notes. Soft body with abundant toasts and a touch of caramel playing off the earthy, slightly piney hops. Bready and quite yeasty with just a touch of citrus. Kicking back several of these beers would be no problem. Thanks Dan (jah noth) for the Magic Hat initiation!
Tried on 02 Feb 2005 at 23:51