Pipeworks Magic Being 4Pk is a double dry-hopped Imperial IPA packaged in a 4-pack of 16oz cans at 7.4% ABV, brewed in Chicago by Pipeworks Brewing Company. Built around a Strata and Centennial hop combination, Magic Being delivers an intensely aromatic, dank, and tropical hop profile that has earned it a 4 out of 5 rating on Untappd across more than 1,200 reviews.

Quick Facts: ABV: 7.4%  |  Origin: Chicago, Illinois, USA  |  Style: DDH Imperial IPA  |  Brewery: Pipeworks Brewing Company  |  Format: 4 × 16oz cans

Production & Heritage

Pipeworks Brewing Company launched in Chicago and quickly earned national recognition, including RateBeer awards for top brewer and top new brewer in Illinois, the United States, and the world. Magic Being follows a double dry-hopping process — hops are added in two separate additions during and after fermentation without boiling — to maximize volatile aromatic compounds that would otherwise be driven off by heat. The result is a beer where Strata hops contribute tropical, dank, and slightly fruity characteristics while Centennial provides a classic citrus and floral backbone, all supported by an amplified grain bill that gives the 7.4% ABV body enough structure to carry the generous hop charge.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Resinous pine and tropical fruit hit first, followed by bright citrus peel and a subtle underlying malt sweetness. The dank, almost white-grape quality from the Strata hops becomes more pronounced as the beer warms slightly in the glass.

Taste: The entry is juicy with ripe stone fruit and citrus flavors that immediately establish a tropical tone. A wave of pine resin and floral bitterness builds through the mid-palate, while a caramel malt backbone keeps the hop intensity from becoming abrasive. Moderate bitterness rises steadily toward a balanced peak.

Finish: Dry and lingering, with pine resin and citrus oils coating the palate as the bitterness slowly fades. A faint warmth from the 7.4% ABV emerges gently as the hop oils dissipate.

How to Drink Magic Being

Pour into a tulip glass or IPA glass at around 45–50°F to let the aromatic complexity open up fully; drinking straight from the can mutes the Strata hop aromatics that define this beer. Magic Being also works well in hop-forward beer cocktails: try a Michelada variation using Magic Being in place of a lager for a tropically bitter twist with hot sauce and lime; a Beermosa with fresh grapefruit juice to amplify its citrus character; or a Hop Shandy blended with homemade lemonade to tame the bitterness for warm-weather sessions.

Best For

• IPA enthusiasts exploring double dry-hopped expressions beyond the haze-bro mainstream
• Sharing among friends during a craft beer tasting session at home
• Pairing with a backyard cookout featuring bold, smoky, or spicy dishes
• Gifting to a hop-forward beer lover who appreciates Chicago's craft scene

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Magic Being taste like? Magic Being leads with juicy tropical fruit and citrus before a pronounced pine resin and floral bitterness takes over mid-palate, finishing dry with lingering hop oils and a faint malt sweetness underneath.

How does Magic Being compare to Pipeworks Ninja vs. Unicorn? Both are hop-forward, high-gravity IPAs from Pipeworks, but Ninja vs. Unicorn is classified as a Double IPA and typically runs higher in ABV, giving it more body and boozy warmth. Magic Being at 7.4% sits at the lower end of the Imperial IPA range, making it slightly more approachable and sessionable by comparison while still delivering intense hop aromatics through its DDH process.

Is Magic Being good for sipping on its own? Yes — the double dry-hopping process creates enough aromatic complexity and flavor depth to reward careful, standalone drinking, especially when poured into a proper glass at cellar temperature.

Where is Magic Being made? Magic Being is brewed by Pipeworks Brewing Company in Chicago, Illinois. Pipeworks has earned multiple RateBeer accolades including top brewer and top new brewer in the state and nationally.

What foods pair well with Magic Being? Spicy Thai curry balances the hop bitterness with chili heat and coconut richness. Grilled burgers with sharp cheddar complement the malt backbone. Fish tacos with mango salsa echo the tropical fruit notes. Blue cheese or aged Gruyère contrast the pine resin bitterness. Smoked brisket stands up to the beer's assertive intensity.

What sizes does Magic Being come in? Magic Being is available in a 4-pack of 16oz (pint) cans, which is the standard format for this release.

Is Magic Being worth the price? Magic Being positions as a mid-range craft Imperial IPA — its double dry-hopping process and specialty hop selection (Strata and Centennial) place it above entry-level IPAs in both flavor intensity and production cost, representing solid value within the DDH Imperial IPA category.

Why Magic Being?

The double dry-hopping technique is the defining production choice here, and it shows — the Strata and Centennial combination produces a dank, tropical, almost vinous hop character that single-hopped or conventionally brewed IPAs in this ABV range rarely achieve. Pipeworks' reputation as a nationally recognized brewery adds credibility, but Magic Being earns attention on its own merits through its aromatic intensity and balanced drinkability at 7.4% ABV. For drinkers who want Imperial IPA flavor density without the heavy, boozy weight of a 9%+ Double IPA, this lands in a sweet spot that rewards repeated pours. The 16oz four-pack format makes it easy to share or work through over multiple sessions without committing to a full six-pack.