Imperial Maine Event
Magnify Brewing Company

 

 

 

Reviewed 3 days after release. 14 oz. pour at the brewery. It pours a dense, opaque, turbid, dirty tangerine color with a large, creamy, milk-white head and extensive lacing on the glass. It has a pleasing aroma of grapefruit, lemon peel, sweet tropical fruit, light pine, and fragrant hops. It tastes a lot like the base Maine Event but the flavors aren't quite as sharp. There is tart citrus balanced by notes of melon and tropical fruit from the Citra hops and an almost creamy sweetness. I don't know whether Mag uses lactose or oats but there is definitely a sweetness that balances the citrus. There are also subtle notes of pine from the Simcoe. It finishes with minimal hop bitterness and no burn. This ale is smooth and creamy with pleasant carbonation, and it drinks easily at 8% ABV. Overall, I'm not surprised that Magnify has brewed an Imperial version of its flagship Maine Event, although I would have expected it sooner. It's a very fine IPA but I think I prefer the base beer.