Last spring, I stopped by my local Taco Mac here in Canton in order to get a mug of Magic Hat Demo IPA. There were other beers that I had seen posted on the Canton website, but I do so love Magic Hat beers and wanted to try this one. When I arrived Demo IPA was listed on the beer menu placed before me, but much to my chagrin I was advised that they were out of it. Bummer.
Luckily, I did manage to score a Magic Hat sampler 12-pack a bit later in the spring that included the Demo IPA, which is actually a black IPA (aka India Dark Ale) by style. Demo IPA is part of the Magic Hat 2012 “Tour of I.P.A.s, along with Blind Faith, H.I.P.A. and Encore. The latter is the only one I have yet to try.
Magic Hat says this about Demo:
Demo is a deliciously dark lick of an India Pale Ale. It’s medley of roasted malts and heady hops will have your senses dancing to the beat of a different IPA.
Their website says the beer is made with “pale, carafa, caramel, cara Vienna, chocolate”. Hops used are Apollo and Goldings, with a “California” yeast strain. I myself would have much preferred Ringwood, but there you go. Alcohol content is 6% by volume.
Magic Hat Demo IPA pours to an inky black color with a huge rocky head of tan colored foam and a soft malty nose of chocolate and herbal hops. A fine layer of Brussels lace clings to the sides of the glass as the liquid descends to the bottom. Sipping brings forth a medium bodied beer with a delightful bittersweet chocolate character; indeed the beer is bursting with dark chocolate pudding notes. In the finish, there’s a grassy, herbal hop aroma and gentle bitterness that balances but does not overwhelm.
Demo Black IPA is an India Dark Ale on the milder side. To be sure, there is roastiness here, but it is far gentler than in other examples of the style I’ve tasted. The English hops are less assertive than the American ones used normally in the style. More a robust porter than a black IPA, I think, but it straddles the line and I love the soft drinkability and reasonable price of this beer.
And remember, try a new beer today, and drink outside the box.
*Pricing data accurate at time of review or latest update. For reference only, based on actual price paid by reviewer.
(B)=Bottled
(D)=Draft