Fruit beers can be a difficult nut to crack. There needs to be a harmonious balance between the fruit addition and the base beer, which also needs to be deftly crafted. Magic Hat #9, a summer favorite, opens with an intense apricot nose with subtle, grainy caramel malt notes and a delicate pear ester. The appearance leaves a bit to be desired as a thin, ivory, wispy head dissipates quickly, leaving the orange-amber beer with minor chill haze. The flavor is more balanced than the aroma with restrained apricot notes mingling with toast and caramel. You won’t find any flavor hops in this beer, but the moderate bitterness helps to balance the fruit and malt; a semi-dry finish coaxes the drinker for another sip. The beer’s medium-full body and sneaking alcohol warmth are both a bit bigger than expected. Overall, Magic Hat #9 is a great option for a refreshing beer for summer that can also easily standup against many of the fall classics as the summer wanes.

Reviewer’s Note: The first bottle was heavily oxidized and unbalanced. Seek out freshly bottled batches.