Magic Hat -- it's still craft beer, right?

I have a confession to make.  I forgot I am restricting beer intake to weekends.  I really did!  I forgot.  We went across the street to T's, the bar I used to manage, for turkey burgers -- they have awesome turkey burgers, regular burgers, good pasta dishes, good chicken tenders, their nachos are a little weird but not bad . . . . anyway, I forgot I'm not supposed to be drinking daily and I saw they recently brought in Magic Hat #9, so I ordered one.  I know, I know, I don't sell it.  I should have had a Stella or a Delirium.  But I was happy to see what I think of as a craft beer, so I wanted to support that -- because the beer selection at T's is not super imaginative these days.  

So:  Magic Hat.  Even though Magic Hat beers are widely distributed now, and by Chicago Beverage Systems here in the Chicago area, are they still considered craft beer?  I need to further peruse their web site.  I know they recently merged with another craft brewery, I believe it was Pyramid.  Which is strange, because we distribute Pyramid and not Magic Hat.  

Magic Hat #9 is what they call a "not quite pale ale".  They use my favorite hop -- cascade, but they use it pretty sparingly, to my taste.  #9 is lightly apricot flavored -- not sure if they use real apricot or not.  They don't play up the apricot in the marketing, probably afraid of the "fruit beer" stigma.  This is what I have said, each and every time I have tasted a beer from Magic Hat--I wish I liked this beer better.  I think I blogged some months ago about their winter seasonal -- Roxy Rolles.  I found it almost undrinkable.  #9, while not bad, is certainly not my favorite, and if I want to drink a beer that is the same idea but done much, much better, I will reach for a Dogfish Head Aprilhop -- which just came out a week or so ago!  When I can get my hands on one of those, I will blog about that!  

So I apologize to myself and to my Wii Fit for having a beer.  The Wii Fit was kind tonight, though.  I lost almost 3/4 of a pound.  Only 25 and 1/4 to go!!