Triple Pillow Talk
Magnify Brewing Company

 

I mean they’re not lying, Marshmallow right there on the label and it’s the dominant flavor. But doesn’t work with the NEIPA hop notes and comes off chalky and chemical-y. Fun to try but don’t want another.

 

I have to say that when buying this I didn't pay much mind to the goofy "marshmallow IIIPA" tag on the top part of the can label, but I just poured it and... yeah, without spoiling much, that word does affect a lot of what's happening here.

So, I've never had Pillow Talk or Imperial Pillow Talk before, but this is apparently a huge version of that base beer, triple dry-hopped with Motueka, Citra, El Dorado, and Cryo Mosaic hops. That sounds, on paper, like a really good idea. And, to be honest, the last couple IPAs in this ABV range that I've had from Magnify have absolutely blown me away, so I felt it would be within reason to think this would be awesome. Let's move on, though...

This pours a stable, hazy orange color with a retentive, well-built head that forms at about two fingers before quickly sinking to a half-finger, leaving behind consistent, solid lace with mediocre legs as it does so. This isn't really a super active pour, nor is it very interesting by any means, so let's move on.

The nose is, first of all... marshmallows. That's it. I honestly smell barely anything else, and that's kind of difficult for me to contend with. This has some superb hops in it, and I have to presume they were used pretty heavily as either a double dry-hop or triple dry-hop addition considering the ABV here, but I really feel a bit ripped-off by how they completely buckle under the marshmallow (and lactose). This is too much, honestly. I know it's a fine line to ride, but... yeah, this is too much marshmallow. Straight up.

Luckily, on the tongue, this one has a bit of complexity that lacked in the initial impression from the nose. The Motueka shines quite a bit here, bringing out prickly key lime notes and hints of bright orange while El Dorado feels refreshing with cooling melon and passion fruit elements. I'm not sure what the Cryo Mosaic is achieving here, but I guess some of the leafiness/herbal qualities in the finish could be attributed to that varietal's specific form here. Citra is bringing the complex papaya and mango that pop up as this warms a bit. Of course, the lactose/marshmallow element is still present in the flavor profile here, but it's a bit less intense than in the nose. There's a well-developed bitter edge to this one that makes it drinkable where I thought it would be pretty tough to choke down, and that's definitely... something? I wouldn't say this is an awesome beer (which therefore makes it definitely worse than the other couple TIPAs I've had from this brewery), but if you like sweet triple IPAs, maybe this would be something you'd enjoy.

Poured as a nice hazy yellow color with a big fluffy white head on top. The smell of the beer basically smells just like Lucky Charms. I'm not a huge fan of that cereal but I have to say it makes this beer smell pretty interesting. The taste of the beer has a nice sweetness upfront and then transitions into subtle hop notes and finishes nicely. The feel is very smooth despite being almost 10.5%! Overall I really enjoyed this IPA, very cool idea and executed well.

 

Tall can from the source...no dating info that I can find.

Hazed up, NEIPA kinda look...leaves delicate lacing on the glass.

Fruited pebbles on the sniff, with marshmellows boldly also coming to mind.

Full flavor brew with some sweet fruits and bold marshmallow notes in control....sort of an over the top dessert DIPA.