Blood Bath
Magnify Brewing Company

 

 

Understandably pulpy and hazy body, with the occasional large floatie. Modest head production, and while lacing is nice, retention is relatively poor.

Shockingly dank on the nose, which actually fits the hop profile quite well, but is perhaps not what one expects going into a fruited milkshake IPA. Pungent, earthy, peppery, and leafy. Not particularly fruity, although there are some citrus notes, as well as touches of vanilla. Fans of dank IPAs will probably love this aroma.

On the palate, it's much juicier and sweeter, with the blood orange, vanilla, and lactose really complementing the juicier hop tones. The dankness is much more restrained, with brighter herbal notes coming out. A bit of a sense of overripe orange; a bit of an orange creamsicle sense, albeit much spicier, leafier, and more herbal.

Creamy, smooth, very lively; an impressive presentation for an 8% ABV brew.

Depending on what you're expecting going into a milkshake (I)IPA, I could see this brew completely delivering or falling shy of the mark. I had no expectations, and I found the beer very enjoyable overall.

 

Reviewed on Halloween, two days after can release. Poured into a Magnify stemless glass. It pours an opaque, brownish-orange color with a foamy, milk-white cap and thick, creamy lacing. It smells like a creamsicle: orange peel, vanilla cream, pineapple, and fragrant hops. The taste is superb. It opens with tart citrus: orange and lemon, along with the unique fresh herbal notes characteristic of Motueka hops. The Amarillo hops add additional spicy orange, along with considerable bitterness. At mid-sip it is decidedly bitter. Then, there is a nice dose of creamy, sweet lactose that balances the astringency at the finish. It will probably mellow with some more time in the can. The flavors and big and bold and come at you in waves. This ale has a nice, thick mouth feel with a pleasant level of carbonation, and it drinks big for its 8% ABV. Overall, this is a very well-conceived and executed DIPA and fitting for Halloween. I'd like to bob for apples in a pail of it.