Brewery: Magic Hat Brewing Company, South Burlington, Vermont

Brewery Description: I had to use the one off of a different site because the Magic Hat webiste was having issues so I couldn’t find it. “Earthy, rich and steeped in autumn’s magic: it’s an ale of change. This potent infusion is haunted by memories of summer and the first frost on abandoned fields. Jinx prepares the bones for snow. It has the glint of golden maples at peak and finishes light as an ode to the fading sun. A bit of peat-smoked malt imparts a subtle hint of smoke that reminds us of fall’s bonfires.”

Brew Stlye: Smoked, 6.9% ABV

Recommended Glassware: Dimpled mug, Stein, Lager

The Ugly Truth: I hadn’t looked this beer up before I drank it, and I’m honestly suprised to find it marked as a smoke beer. This was a really good seasonal brew. Pours a nice dark color, with a good head on it. The taste was very full bodied and complex, and had a strong mouthfeel to it. The taste was fairly smooth at the beginning and then it transitions into a more deep roasted/malty flavor to it. They mention the peak-smoked malt, and now that I know that was in there I can attribute part of the taste to it. I think if they had increased the amount of malt it would have made this beer much more enjoyable. I don’t think it had a really strong smoke flavor to it, but there was a definate strong roasted taste. It was a good beer, one I think that we be best drank during a meal, preferably steak.

Verdict: They need to set the torch to the Jinx witch and really get her smoking. I suggest using 7 out of 10 bottlecaps worth of wood and oil.