TheBeerObserver

Magic Hat Howl is a winter seasonal from the brewing team in Burlington VT. It pours dark, almost black, like a porter - with a caramel-colored foam and molasses nose with spice hints - I detect allspice and nutmeg, with some pine notes too.

The flavor is sweet and roasted - molasses and caramel notes dominate this malty, medium-bodied black lager or Schwarzbier. The roasted character of the dark Carafa malts, along with the hops, add to the beer's balance and keep it dry and crisp, not too cloying.

This is a pretty good winter brew. Its not gimmicky or loaded up with spices, instead its a nicely balanced dark beer thats neither too sweet or too dry.