Magic Hat Wacko: B-b-b-beet juice?
posted on 3 April 2009 by dan
A rep from Magic Hat just popped by the store to taste us on the brewery’s new summer offering. It’s called Wacko. Why? Who knows… but maybe it’s got something to do with the bright red, almost fruit-punch-like color of the beer. The color comes from the fact that the recipre calls for beet juice. What? Yep, beet juice. A lot of beers take advantage of beet sugars, but juice? For coloring? Strange, strange stuff. Typical Magic Hat, of course.
The beer’s actually pretty good and doesn’t taste anything like beets. I sipped the thing warily, not being a huge beet fan myself, and I was pleasantly surprised. The beer’s just a beer, nothing too extravagant about its flavor profile. Light, easy to toss back, a porch-drinkin beer with a subtle hoppy bite on the finish. Everything you want out of a summer beer, in other words.
Try it. It’ll be here soon. Don’t be afraid that it’s brewed with beets. Don’t be afraid of the summercamp punch color. Be afraid of how easy it is to swallow. Be very afraid.
dJp
Tags: backporch drinkin, beet juice, craft beer, Magic hat, seasonal beer, summer beer, wacko
Category: Beer Reviews, The Beer Blog
I stood there, glass in hand, staring at the odd red hue. I waited as my husband, 6′6″ grabbed his glass and took a swig. He didn’t flinch. So, I, seeing the burly man with the red-hued beer, followed suit. Beet colored beer is OK by me.
Comment by Rhonda — May 2, 2009 @ 11:42 pm
I had this beer the other night and loved it. Beautiful color, eminently drinkable - immediately became one of my favorite beers. No lie.
Comment by John — June 3, 2009 @ 5:44 pm
Not your run of the beers/ale for sure but knowing what I’m getting into with
a Magic Hat concoction I took a chance with WACKO and its not bad at all, very
nice summer brew, fresh, tasty, and most definitely colorful, not to hoppy(like
they’ve been lately) I will pick up another 6 pack soon.
Comment by Jeff Bilby — June 7, 2009 @ 9:54 pm
Cool beer - I was wary given the color and the presence of beets (which I hate) - but it’s really quite good for a summer beer. Very drinkable, pleasant flavor with a bit of sweetness, some tart fruit and low-key hops. It’s a bit of a lightweight when it comes to ABV though, not that there’s anything wrong with that…
Comment by MikeF — June 9, 2009 @ 2:34 am
This is one of the purdiest brews ever. Plus I like to pretend it’s as good for me as drinking a V8.
Comment by Shannon — June 11, 2009 @ 8:09 pm