The Milkshake IPA sits in Surreal's Dessert Series, a sub-range that sets out to make sweet, flavour-forward beers rather than trying to pass as conventional craft lager. This one is brewed with vanilla, oats, lactose, and orange alongside hops, and it does not hide what it is. It pours hazy golden yellow with a soft white head. The aroma is warm and sweet: fresh orange peel, vanilla, and a light cream note. On the palate the orange and citrus come through first, followed by vanilla sweetness and a gentle tropical fruit character from the hops. The lactose gives it a noticeably creamy mouthfeel and the finish is sweet rather than bitter. At 0.5% ABV it sits at the very top of the alcohol-free threshold. The calorie count is higher than Surreal's other beers at 65 per serving, which comes with the territory when lactose and oats are in the grain bill. This is a beer for people who actively want something sweet. If you are looking for hop bitterness, this is the wrong place.