Pastel Clouds
Magnify Brewing Company

 

 

Traded for this a while ago as I thought that this was brewed at The Drowned Lands although it was listed under Magnify on here. Regardless of this collaboration's origin, this was a tasty beer that had the best of both hands evident in it as the Hallertau Blanc gave this a feel that wasn't like what I was normally accustomed to even though this was a New England IPA when all was said and done.

Hazy and golden, this was plenty cloudy but uniform in hue throughout. A moderate head topped this off although there was hardly any lacing left behind once I worked my way through this. Lots of turbid citrus, fruit pith, deep orange blossom, and white wine funkiness in the nose as the taste leaned much more towards grape and wood from the Hallertau. Low in carbonation and just as low in perceptible alcohol, this almost felt like wine with some floral and grassy notes in it as the grapefruit and tangerine gave this beer the depth and tone that it needed to stand out. Moderately slick and sticky, I enjoyed this as the aftertaste was quite chewy with some swamp water lingering once this fully went down.

Amazingly, this was quite easy to quaff given it's subdued plushness and recessed alcoholic presence. No sediment was visible either as although I had no idea how old this was given that the date on the label was illegible. More of The Drowned Lands was noticeable here and that was good as I've been more impressed by them than Magnify as of late. Fans of either will enjoy this and it's unique slant on the all-too-familiar New England IPA style. Indeed, this was a pastel cloud in a can!

Can pour at the brewery. Poured into a plastic cup due to COVID restrictions. It's an opaque, dirty tangerine color with a large, creamy, eggshell-colored head and thick lacing.. The smell is very subdued with mild citrus and soft yeast notes. It has the smell of a beer from The Drowned Lands. You can really taste the influence of the two breweries. From Magnify there is bright tangerine, lemon, and pineapple up front from the Tango and Mosaic hops but it is surprisingly delicate and subdued. There is a touch of white wine grape from the Hellertau Blanc. Like a typical Drowned Lands offering it's soft but flavorful. All of the tastes are mellow and blend together very well. The mouth feel is full-bodied with rich taste and the 9% ABV is well masked. It drinks at a lower alcohol level. Overall, Pastel Clouds is a terrific product of brewing between to very good - but very different breweries. Pastel Clouds is a very fine DIPA.