Pipeworks Magic Being 4Pk

Pipeworks Magic Being 4Pk is a Chicago-brewed Imperial IPA packaged in a 4-pack of 16oz cans at 7.4% ABV (14.8 proof). Produced by one of Illinois' most imaginative craft breweries, Magic Being represents Pipeworks' signature approach to hop-driven brewing — bold, expressive, and unapologetically full-flavored.

Quick Facts: ABV: 7.4%  |  Origin: Chicago, Illinois, USA  |  Style: Imperial IPA  |  Brewery: Pipeworks Brewing Company

Production & Heritage

Pipeworks Brewing Company was founded in 2012 in Chicago by Beejay Oslon and Gerrit Lewis. The brewery quickly built a cult following through imaginative recipes, distinctive hand-illustrated label art, and a fearless approach to hop-forward styles. Magic Being falls within their extensive lineup of IPAs and double IPAs, a category where Pipeworks has earned significant respect among craft beer enthusiasts. As an Imperial IPA, Magic Being uses an amplified grain bill to support a generous hop charge, resulting in a beer with more body, sweetness, and hop intensity than a standard IPA.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Expect assertive hop aromatics — resinous pine, tropical fruit, and citrus peel greet the nose immediately. A subtle malt backbone provides a grounding sweetness beneath the hop-forward top notes.

Taste: The entry is juicy with ripe stone fruit and citrus flavors before a wave of pine resin and floral bitterness builds through the mid-palate. The elevated malt presence delivers caramel and biscuit notes that balance the hop intensity without muting it, keeping the beer structured rather than one-dimensional.

Finish: The finish is moderately long with lingering bitterness and a dry, resinous quality. A faint warmth from the 7.4% ABV emerges gently as the hop oils slowly fade.

How to Drink Magic Being

Pour Magic Being into a tulip glass or standard pint to release its aromatic complexity; drinking straight from the can will mask much of the hop nuance. The beer's bold character also makes it a worthy ingredient in hop-forward beer cocktails. A Hop Shandy blends it with fresh lemonade and a sprig of rosemary for a refreshing warm-weather drink. A Michelada using Magic Being adds a hoppy twist to the classic tomato-lime-beer combination. A Boilermaker paired alongside a pour of bourbon creates a compelling contrast between malty sweetness and resinous bitterness.

Best For

• Sharing at backyard cookouts and summer gatherings with fellow hop enthusiasts
• Exploring Pipeworks' extensive IPA lineup alongside their other hop-forward releases
• Gifting to a craft beer collector who values Chicago's brewing scene
• Pairing with bold, spicy, or char-grilled foods that can stand up to intense bitterness

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Magic Being taste like? Magic Being delivers an assertive hop profile featuring citrus, tropical fruit, and pine resin, balanced by a caramel malt backbone and moderate bitterness that lingers into a dry finish.

How does Magic Being compare to Pipeworks Ninja vs. Unicorn? Both are hop-forward double-strength IPAs from Pipeworks, but Ninja vs. Unicorn is classified as a Double IPA and typically registers higher in ABV, while Magic Being at 7.4% sits at the lower end of the Imperial IPA range, making it slightly more sessionable by comparison.

Is Magic Being good for IPA beginners? Magic Being's Imperial IPA designation means it carries more bitterness, alcohol, and intensity than a standard IPA, so newcomers to the style may find it aggressive; a regular-strength IPA would be a gentler starting point.

Where is Magic Being made? Magic Being is brewed by Pipeworks Brewing Company in Chicago, Illinois, a craft brewery that has operated since 2012 and is recognized as one of the city's most creative brewing operations.

What foods pair well with Magic Being? Spicy buffalo wings match well, as the hop bitterness cuts through the heat and fat. Grilled burgers with sharp cheddar complement the malt sweetness. Fish tacos with mango salsa echo the tropical hop notes. Aged Gouda provides a caramel counterpoint to the resinous bitterness. Thai green curry mirrors the beer's herbal, citrus-forward character.

What sizes does Magic Being come in? Magic Being is available in 4-packs of 16oz cans, the standard tall-can format popular among American craft breweries.

Is Magic Being worth the price? Magic Being positions as a mid-range craft Imperial IPA, and the 16oz four-pack format delivers solid value within the Chicago craft beer market, particularly given Pipeworks' reputation for quality hop-forward brewing.

Why Magic Being?

Pipeworks has built its identity around hop creativity, and Magic Being distills that ethos into a single, focused Imperial IPA. At 7.4% ABV, it occupies a sweet spot within the style — substantial enough to deliver the complexity and intensity expected from an Imperial IPA without tipping into heavy, boozy territory. The 16oz can format reflects the brewery's craft-forward packaging philosophy while offering a generous pour. For anyone invested in Chicago's thriving craft beer culture, Magic Being stands as a representative example of what Pipeworks does best.