Magic Mushroom Mild > Reviews (1)

As you probably have guessed from reading my reviews, I am partial to a drop of dark beer. I am trying to get people to notice Mild Ales at the moment because (in CAMRA campaigning terms) May is Mild Month. We are trying to put Mild back on the map and stop the style from dying out altogether. Today I will be reviewing Whim Ale’s Magic Mushroom Mild! The main reasons for this choice are that I am supporting Mild and also opting for a beer from a brewery that is local to me.

~~~THE BREWERY.

Whim Ales started brewing in 1993. Their brewery can be found in the old outbuildings at Whim Farm, located in Hartington, which is a village not far from Buxton in Derbyshire. The owners also run Scottish Brewery Broughton Ales (although they are run independently) and also have their own brewery tap ~ The Wilkes Head Pub in Leek, Staffordshire. They brew using purpose built equipment and some things that originally came from The Springhead Brewery, based in Newark-on-Trent.

You will find their beers at a number of outlets in the area surrounding the brewery ~ we get ours at Beer Festivals and a couple of local pubs (the most regular being The Boat at Cromford). Over the years they have been highly commended at Beer Festivals and have won a number of awards in the brewing world.

Some of the beers that are brewed include Arbor Light (a light hoppy beer at 3.6% ABV), Hartington IPA (a slightly sweet India Pale Ale at 4.5% ABV) and Hartington Bitter (a classic traditional bitter at 4% ABV).

~~~THE BEER.

***A Bit of Background***

Magic Mushroom Mild is so called because of its unusual and complex mix of flavours, rather than the addition of any hallucinogenic veg! The name implies that it is something different and it is! For those of you who are unsure, a Mild Ales are generally classed as beers that are brewed using fewer hops than Bitter style ones. They are also usually produced with darker malt varieties, sugar or caramel, to give them a dark colour.

Milds also tend to be lower in alcohol than some other beer types ~ these are just generalizations, because light coloured Milds (like Timothy Taylor’s Golden Best) and stronger ones (like Gales Festival Mild at 4.8% and Sarah Hughes Dark Ruby Mild at 6%) do crop up.

***Vital Stats***

Magic Mushroom Mild weighs in at 3.8% ABV, which seems to be a pretty standard strength for a modern Mild. It is not brewed all year round and generally seems to be around for the spring and early summer months (although we are working on the brewer to produce it all the time).

***Look, aroma & texture***

Magic Mushroom has the look of a traditional dark Mild. It is a very dark beer that appears almost black at the first glance, but has a lovely ruby tint when you hold it up to the light. When poured straight from the barrel there is no discernible head, but if it is dispensed through a handpump there is a small off-white head that laces the side of the glass throughout the pint. The aroma is subtle, but has hints of coffee, liquorice and dark roasted malt.

Magic Mushroom has a smooth texture, but is still light and easy to drink. There is a pleasant richness that feels rather nice in the mouth ~ a richness that fools you into thinking it is stronger than it actually is.

***Taste***

Magic Mushroom Mild has a complex range of tastes. What it lacks in strength it makes up for in flavour and texture. It has all the tastes you would expect in a Mild ~ there is the roasted maltiness, balanced nicely by a bitter hoppy flavour.

Add to this elements liquorice, chocolate, coffee and caramel and you can see why I chose to call this a complex beer! There is a sweet, buttery taste that comes through in the finish and the after taste is a nice combination of bitter sweetness.

~~~WHAT I THINK.

Magic Mushroom Mild is one of those beers that are easy to drink and enjoy. The sweet and roasted tastes combine well to produce an all round good drinking experience. It may not be to everyone’s taste because some people made find it too sweet ~ I like the caramelly sweetness and find it works well with the other elements, but I could see how some people may prefer something a little more bitter or hoppy.

Its low gravity and light smooth texture make it ideal for a session beer and I for one would happily drink it during an afternoon or evening out. It is a fine example of a well crafted Mild and one that will certainly help to put Mild back on the map. The name is unusual and will encourage people to try it and arouse curiosity ~ surely a good way to add to its popularity and promote this beer style!

We have had Magic Mushroom at Beer Festivals (most notably last year at the Blackamoor Inn at Troway, near Eckington and Sheffield) and at a couple of pubs in the Derbyshire area. We have paid around the £1.80 to £2.00 for a pint ~ not a bad price for something with such a complex flavour.

Magic Mushroom Mild is a well balanced beer that I have no hesitation in recommending. Just be careful not to drink too much….or you may experience the effect of Magic Mushrooms too!

~~~BREWERY INFORMATION.
Whim Ales
Whim Farm
Hartington
Buxton
Derbyshire
SK17 0AX
01298 84991