I like Magic Hat and I like the way they do not really follow the pack. No beers called "imperial double IPA ESB pale ale" and not really that many claims to making "raspberry cherry vanilla hefeweizen-porter" crosses. Sure they make them - but they just give them batch numbers for names instead of claiming the higher ground of style innovation. And no 22 oz bombers, either. No - they stick to making batch after batch, giving them twisted names and tucking them out in mixed 12 packs to see whether they float.

The Autumn Mystery Beer from the Night of the Living Dead '07 mixed pack is no different. A tan cream rim and foam over glowing orange ale, the aroma is something between nutmeg yogurt and burlap. In the mouth there is plenty of buttery diacetyl, nuttiness, some tart burlap, green apple, raisin and biscuit. Sort of like a Belgian dubbel meets a butter tart. A well disguised soft water 7.5%. All eight BAers who have posted a review so far like but do not love this one.