Shadows of Darkness
Magnify Brewing Company

Reviewed the day after release. Poured from 16 oz. can into Magnify tulip glass. It pours a medium mahogany color with cola hues, and a half finger of ecru-colored head and lacing that dissipated fairly quickly leaving a sheen of soapy lacing. The appearance is something between a Barleywine and a Black IPA. The nose is interesting: lots of pineapple along with tobacco smoke, roasted malt, burnt coffee, and fragrant hops. Wow, this has everything! it's pineapple forward with roasted malt, peat, bitter pine needles, and a wash of bitter Amarillo and Chinook hops that bite hard. There are strong spicy pepper notes at the finish that stay with you in the after taste. This ale is medium-bodied with moderate carbonation, and a punchy 7.5% ABV. Overall, the whole of this ale is greater than the sum of its parts. It's less malty and more bitter than many Black IPAs and the pineapple flavor is great. It t has a completely different taste and feel from Carton's Epitome, which is my all-time favorite Black IPA. This is really first rate.