Magic Hat #9

RedSox took me to Joes American for dinner last week. I ordered a pinot noir (of course). He ordered a Sam Winter.

I don't know everything about wine, but I know more than the average population. I can distinguish among varietal, ingredients, flavors, etc. In addition to all of this, I'm pretty prideful on my knowledge of beer.

I brewed beer 3 times in college. I've spent 6 hours at Sunset Grill molesting their taps. Harpoon invites me to tastings once per month. I KNOW beer.

At Joes, RedSox made it clear that he knows more.

When our server brought our drinks, we said cheers and drank. I continued talking about my day in prison (not what you think. I'll clarify another time), but he didn't pay attention. He kept sniffing his beer, taking tiny sips and pondering. This is exactly what I do with a glass of wine when I'm trying to figure something out.

I paused my story and stared. You know that girl-stare where you're trying not to be pissed that your man isn't listening to you. He finally noticed and apologized, "I'm sorry, but this is NOT sam winter. I think it's Magic Hat #9. It's funny because I secretly wanted #9, but wasn't sure if they had it."

I took a sip. It was definitely NOT Sam Winter. I sniffed and sipped again. It was definitely NOT Magic Hat #9.

I haven't had Magic Hat #9 in a while, but I know I'm supposed to smell apricots. I didn't smell apricots, nor did I really taste anything.

RedSox was sure it was #9, so he grabbed our server and had him bring a taste of what came out of the Sam Winter tap and a taste of what came out of the Magic Hat #9 tap.

A few minutes later we had an array of beer in front of us. I definitely smelled apricots in one of the glasses, but it still didn't taste quite like #9. Our server said he tried them both and is sure that the one coming out of the Sam Winter tap smells like #9, but tastes water-ed down. As for the #9 tap, no one has any idea but RedSox is sure it's a pale ale of some sort.

We didn't discuss things further, but I'm still not convinced.

A few days later, Red Sox calls me. "I was right about the Sam Winter really being Magic Hat #9. You had me really thinking, but I just got back from Sunset and I'm sure I was right."

Fine... I was wrong.