MAGIC ROCK
CUSTARD PIE / 6.7% ABV / £5.80 a pint / Common
I love Magic Rock, there I said it. I love how they make so many good beers. I love how I often walk in a pub and find a new Magic Rock beer on that I’ve never heard of. Or rather, not always a new beer but perhaps a recent brewing of a beer that I missed completely first time around. Those Magic Rockers are on it, their yield is vast and great.
Common is showcasing, at the time of writing, four Magic Rock beers on their board. It’s a mini tap takeover in all but name. They’ve got their Against The Grain collaboration Rhubarbarella (Rhubarb Braggot), their Arizona Wilderness collaboration Cross Pollination (Heather Honey IPA), their Toccalmatto collaboration Custard Pie (Wheat Beer), annddd their very own The Stooge (Brown Ale).
I opted for a third of Custard Pie on a working lunchtime tip. I’d never had it, see. It was one of those ones that I was talking about that passed me by first time around. Apparently it debuted in 2013. Where was I? Must have been sleeping. Ooh it’s aromatic, Ma! I’m getting custard straight in on the nose. Is it on my nose? Dunno, don’t care. I’ll dip my beak shall I? It’s smelling sweet as one might expect a beer called “Custard Pie” might. Tasting sweet too. Wumpf straight in with the vanilla. That’s a hoot! Reminds one somewhat of the famed Ice Cream Pale from Buxton and Omnipollo late last year. It ain’t all sweetness though, there’s a bitterness to boot. Wheat beers are generally banana parties (HELLO Schneider Weisse) but this is less that and more, well, custard-y. Bready too, custard sandwich-like. Am I selling it? You ordered the custard sandwich, right? I wouldn’t say that I wouldn’t go in on a full pint of it but I’m glad I went for the shorter measure at lunchtime. At 6.7% it’s deceptive, that sweetness diverts from the powerful percentage.
The flavoured (e.g. custard, ice cream, chocolate cake etc) beer scene is bustling right now. I’d say it’s a riper time than ever to convert a non-beer drinker. Oh, “you don’t like beer”? Well, try this jammie dodger and pureed carrot Berliner Weisse! There simply has to be something for everyone these days. I’m into it. It might yet be a fad that fizzles out but the more changes of pace the merrier, surely!
Get yourselves down to the Magic Rock Tap in Huddersfield to drink straight from the source. Wholly endorsed!
