The Mixed Pack Dilemma - Magic Hat Brewing Company

I very rarely buy mixed packs unless I have the opportunity to pick the individual beers myself.  However, with my recent luck with Highland Brewing Company's mixed pack mentioned in the post I decided to try another.  I often find that evaluating a mixed pack often leads me to the same dilemma: satisfy my curiosity knowing that one of the options within the mix will not appeal to me v. buying each of the beers individually in a six pack and thus run the risk of wasting more money.

On Friday, I decided to buy a mixed 12 pack from a brewery which I have never tried, Magic Hat Brewing Company.  We were experiencing winter weather in Charlotte, NC so I was on the hunt for a Wintery Mix for my fridge that would satisfy my craving for the tastes of the season.  Below is my review of the four beers that made up Magic Hat's Winterland Seasonal Variety Pack.


Heart of Darkness Stout:  This is a very solid stout.  The first thing that struck me was the pour.  I tilted the glass at a 45 degree angle like I typically do, but instead of bringing it upright toward the end I left it tilted and came up with the perfect pour with a nice white head.  The name of this beer doesn't lie, it is very dark.  This stout has nice roasted bittersweet chocolate notes and is very smooth, even silky.  This is a seasonal selection, so get it while it is available.  5.7% ABV.

Encore Wheat IPA:  This was the beer in the mix pack that I thought was going to upset the apple cart.  In general, I do not care for wheat beers.  Somehow there is no trace of wheat beer flavor in this IPA.  There is  still the citrus and yeasty aspects that are typical of a wheat beer.  The difference is the hop.  There is a nice bitterness and the mouthful was heavier than expect.  I need to have another before I am able to fully detect the grapefruit...but it is there! 6.4% ABV.

Wooly:  Wow, what a beer!  This ESB is unlike any beer that I have tasted before.  The piney taste is interesting and would lead me to buying this beer again, but probably more so if I could find it on tap somewhere.  The spicy wood taste is truly appealing.  The pour is a nice medium amber with a nice head.  4.5% ABV.

#9:  And here it is...the reason for the dilemma.  This is the only year round bear out of the Winterland Pack and it was the one that did not appeal to me at all.  It is very floral and much too sweet.  It reminded me of a bitter soda I once had when I was in Mexico.  This is probably their most popular beer and I have to say that I am glad that I didn't try it first.  I may not have ever tried any of the other great beers mentioned above.  #9 is no mystery to me...it just is not a good beer.  PS - there is definitely apricot in the recipe.