Odd Notion Winter '07 (Magic Hat)

Magic Hat variety packs used to contain "mystery beers" that were beers that had labels with random batch numbers on them. You'd have to go online to find out what it was you were drinking (after you had taken an educated guess of course). Its sort of the same philosophy with their "Odd Notion" beers but they're now seasonal so its a little more structured. You do still have to go online to get more details on the beer though.

Call me crazy but I like the whole idea behind this. Yes, it makes you visit their website (which is a pretty creative site) but it adds a little fun to drinking their beer. You can even go online and rate their Odd Notion beers and tell Magic Hat if they should brew them again or forget about it all altogether.


After checking the site, I found that the Odd Notion beer for Winter '07 is an American Wheat Ale. I didn't even know that was a style...but then again we've Americanized every other style of beer.


This one pours similar to a weizenbock. Its dark and cloudy with suspended yeast just hanging around in my glass. Not much head on this one, but I think it got pretty cold in the back of my truck so maybe I should have let it warm up a bit. Despite looking like a dark German wheat beer, the yeasty and clovey smell is not apparent. The smell is more crisp and sweet with a bit of alcohol presence.


The taste is interesting. Its not really malty like you'd expect and its not hoppy (which I didn't expect anways). There is a definite after taste of alcohol despite being relatively low (to be able to taste it so much) in alcohol at 7.5% but it doesn't take away from its drinkability. Maybe its the candy sugar?


It might now sound like it, but I do like this one. Its a unique beer and I give Magic Hat credit for putting this one in their mixed packs. If anyone wants to trade 3 of these for my Circus Boys let me know! To read my review of the Odd Notion Spring '08 release go HERE!


BEER FACTS:

Name: Odd Notion Winter '07
Style: American Wheat Ale
Brewery: Magic Hat Brewing Company
Location: Burlinton, Vermont, USA
Container: 12 oz. bottle
Malts: Pale, Chocolate, Malted Wheat, Munich and also dark candy sugar
Hops: Hersbrucker
ABV: 7.5
IBUs: 25