Grand Illusion
Magnify Brewing Company

I had no idea this had coconut or vanilla in it until my first sip. Decent, it just wasn’t for me.

 

This is a "milkshake" IPA and I loved it; really does have some creaminess and chocolate/vanilla to it, especially in the taste, yet it is still a beer. Worht checking out.

Reviewed on release day. Poured from 16 oz. can into Magnify all purpose glass. It pours a murky, opaque dirty orange-brow color with almost a full finger of creamy, eggshell colored head and a thin coating of lacing inside the glass. The smell is coconut forward with lite citrus, pine needles, oats, and fragrant hops. There is abundant coconut in the taste but there is little sweetness. Instead, there is subtle lemon and grapefruit, a hint of burnt peat, and a blast of bitterness from the blend of Citra, Mosaic, and Motueka hops. As the glass warms I'm noticing more sweetness from the oats and lactose. The flavors all blend very nicely. This ale is especially thick and viscous with moderate carbonation, and the 8% ABV is ideal - it gives the ale substance but doesn't overwhelm the flavors. Overall, Grand Illusion is a fine DIPA. I really like that the coconut is bold but not overly sweet. Magnify is known for brewing variants of its beers and I'm excited to try the next iteration of Grand Illusion.