DISH: Magic Hat creeps into fall

by Nikki M. Mascali
Weekender Editor

MAGIC HAT CREEPS INTO FALL

Now that it’s unofficially fall, Magic Hat Brewing Company’s new variety pack is ready to creep in and lay its claim on your fridge. The Night of the Living Dead Variety 12-Pak features standby #9, Not Quite Pale Ale, the seasonal Hex Ourtoberfest, the fall “I.P.A. On Tour” hI.P.A. and the “Flavor Flashback” Humble Patience, the first beer the Vermont brewery ever made.

Humble Patience, an Irish-style red, was my favorite from the sample pack the brewery recently sent me. In fact, I daresay this bottle was my favorite Magic Hat beer I’ve tasted yet — hands down. It smells rich, like a blend of chocolate, coffee and fruit with a touch of toffee. The dark-brown brew was smooth and tasty, making it, in my “humble” opinion, a seriously good, hearty autumn beer.

The amber-colored Hex Ourtoberfest had a malt-y scent and a smoky aftertaste with the slightest hint of caramel that would be perfect for a nice post leave-raking brew, while the brightly golden hI.P.A. smelled bitter, but had a crisp mouthfeel and a pleasant aftertaste. This beer also got brownie points for having one of the best, most random sayings on its cap with “How much for the goat?”

The Night of the Living Dead Variety 12-Pak will be creeping around in stores until Oct. 15. To find the location nearest you, visit the Sip Code Locator at magichat.net/sipcode, or visit the website for more info.

MAMBO ITALIANO

The 2011 Felittese Italian Festival of Old Forge will be held Friday, Sept. 9-Sunday, Sept. 11 at the chapel grounds (146 Third St., Old Forge). The festival features a smorgasbord of homemade foods such as gnocchi, tripe, soffritto, porketta, sausage and peppers, cavatelli and broccoli, meatballs, pizza fritta, pizza, ice cream, Italian desserts like cannoli, tiramisu, cheesecake, assorted Italian pastries and more. Theme baskets and Italian clothing will also be available.

The festival begins Friday with an opening ceremony at 5 p.m., and The Cadillacs performing at 6:30 p.m. The grounds open Saturday at 5 p.m., with Gold Dust performing at 6:30 p.m. Sunday’s festivities begin at noon, and there will be special tribute to Sept. 11 at 5 p.m., with a performance from The Poets at 6:30 p.m.

Entrance to the Felittese Italian Festival is free. For more info, call 570.457.3499.