Magic Hat Odd Notion (Winter 08)

Magic Hat Brewing Company, Burlington, Vermont brews a solid winter ale with their Odd Notion (Winter '08). It was in the Feast of Fools Winter 12 pack, along with #9, Circus Boy and Roxy Rolles.

I really enjoyed this years Odd Notion beer. I believe that they brew it differently every year, which is a pretty cool idea to retire a beer every year. Last year if I remember correctly it was a darker (wheat?) beer, with some cinnamon. This year it is a lot lighter in color and is brewed with some honey flavor. It was a very light beer with a hint of orange and spice, very drinkable.

Chances are I'll probably give this another try since I will certainly buy another 12 pack before the season is up (Gotta get a few more Roxy Rolles). I wish that I could substitute out the Circus Boy because I really don't care for the Hefe's.

In the end, I was glad I had a try but won't be sad when they come up with a new recipe next year.

Who: Cathy
Where: Home
Price: $$
Score: 4 / 5

Happy Drinking!

Magic Hat - Odd Notion (Spring)

Magic Hat - Odd Notion Spring 2008

The spring brew from Magic Hat. Available in Pandora's Box (4 types of beer 3 of each kind in the box). It was an Irish Ale styled beer (which makes sense with St. Patricks Day in the spring).

The beer pours a very nice amber red color with a very small or almost no head. It has a simple taste and not as bitter as the Great Lakes (Conway's Irish). You can very much smell the cinnamon, ginger and cardamon in the beer. Those flavors also leave a nice spicy feel to the mouth when you are drinking the beer.

It was easy to drink and I am not upset that I gave it a try. Definitely not my favorite beer but very drinkable.

Who: They Guys
Where: My House
Price: $$
Score: 3 / 5

Happy Drinking!

Cincinnati Bockfest 2008

Bockfest gets under way tonight after work (Friday, March 7, 2008).

"Cincinnati is the home to the world's oldest Bock festival, but many Cincinnatians are unaware of this tradition. If you are one of the unfortunate who have never attended a Bockfest (or who have but can't really remember that weekend) here's a quick primer. In the 1800s, Cincinnati was one of America's most prolific brewing cities. Cincinnatians drank more beer per capita than any city in the country, and Over-the-Rhine was at one point home to more than 50 breweries. A tradition developed among the breweries to release all of their bock beer on the same day. Bock beer is a rich, complex, robust lager that marks the end of the Winter brewing season and the beginning of Spring."

Links:
Bockfest Home
CinWeekly Bockfest Page
Enquirer Article

Happy Drinking!