A few days ago I reviewed Magic Hat Vinyl, and today I wanted to do a review of the second beer they sent me, their spring black I.P.A. called Demo. The bottle design was pretty clever, almost making it look like a record. I hadn’t heard of this beer until they sent it so I wasn’t sure of what to expect.
The beer poured a very dark brown chocolate color. As you can see by the picture, it had a small (and I mean almost non existant) tan head. It did leave some nice lacing on the glass and overall looked pretty delicious.
I really enjoyed the aroma of this beer. If I could design a beer cologne to wear, this might just be the scent that I’d want. It had a very strong malt smell with hints of citrus and chocolate. The Goldings and Amarillo hops were present in the smell and I think that’s what put a smile on my face. If only it lasted.
The first sip really caught me off guard. I was expecting an I.P.A. and what I got tasted like the ashes of campfire. To me it was all a roasted malt flavor with just a very subtle taste of hops. There is also a slight buttery yeast flavor that leaves me scratching my head. This doesn’t taste like an I.P.A., but I am not sure what it would be classified as.
Don’t get me wrong, this is a drinkable beer. It isn’t horrible, I just don’t really understand it. The flavors seem a bit off to me and it tastes like one of my homebrews that I didn’t get just right.
Sorry Magic Hat, I love the bottle design, just not much of a fan of Demo.
My Magic Hat Demo Review: C-
Here are the details:
ABV: 6%
IBUs: 45
Style: Black I.P.A.
What’s your thoughts on Magic Hat Demo?
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Comments
Never heard of this one. Have you tried Howl by Magic Hat? Probably the strangest lager I’ve ever had. Seems more like an ale.
Nope, I haven’t tried Howl.
I tried Demo and totally loved it!! It reminds me of a hoppier Sixpoint Brwnstone, if you ve ever had that. I think I would describe it as a chocolate-y-ish brown beer that has a nice amount of hops added in for a nice little bite. Im gettin’ more!
That’s why I love craft beer. What I am not a fan of, others love. What I love, others don’t. Thanks for the comments.
I to was caught off guard by the first sip. Definitely doesn’t taste like an IPA. Not bad but not great.
Gotta say, I love this one, And not just for the cool label…..I love stouts, porters, and ipa’s to a lesser degree, and this is somewhere in between, has a bite, but overtones of a porter…hope they keep making this one….!