Coast Beer Co. - Idaho 7 IPA
ABV - 0.0%
Calories - 33 per 100ml
For something purporting to be an IPA this has a terribly thin body, more akin to an over-diluted orange squash than a beer. But, looking past that, there is definite floral notes coming from the Idaho 7 hops, however, there isn't much in the way of bitterness, there is a hint but no more than that. As there isn't the bitterness to back up the floral aroma, things tend to taste a bit soapy towards the end of the can.
However, given that Coast have produced this without any alcohol at all, it isn't surprising that things are a bit wishy washy. All that being said, for an alcohol free offering, it isn't without a splosh of pleasure and I could definitely see myself knocking one or two of these back at a summer bbq, however, I would definitely be looking at the other drinkers with envy.
Score - 3.5
Omnipollo - Konx
0.3% ABV
50 Cal per 330ml
This was one I was really excited about, proabably too excited for as it didn't quite meet my expectations. Konx had a definite taste of corn coming through on the back end but that isn't all that surprising as there was corn in the grist. The mouthfeel is thicker than you might expect from a low alcohol but still not setting any records for chew. Konx is very citrussy on the nose, I was getting lime and grapefruit notes on the old conk, but in the mouth this is all peach. I would buy this again, but the corn flavour is a bit troubling.
Score - 3.75
Pohjala - Tundra
0.5% ABV
21 Cal per 100ml
Tundra has a really good amber colour, more convincingly beer looking than most non/low alcohol beers, however, there wasn't much on the pour for this, things just seem a little thin on the body. There is a massive hit of pine on the nose which translates into a really good resiny flavour, however, this dissipates really quickly. Given that there isn't a whole load of heft to the mouthfeel, this is more like a malt and pine scented soda water than a beer. The addition of spruce tips though is clever. I'm probably not going to rush back to buy this again.
Score - 3.25
Lowlander - Elephants Never Forget IPA
0.3% ABV
24.7 Cal per 100ml
To be honest, I'm totally guessing at the name of this beer as there isn't much of an indication as to what this is called. Elephants Never Forget is written on the side though, so that will do. The mango, orange peel and cardamom flavours all come through really strongly on this, with the orange adding bitterness - it actually has a taste similar to Brewdog's clockwork tangerine but crisper and cleaner. The mouthfeel is the most like a regularly alcoholic beer of all those I have tried, you certainly wouldn't feel short changed if you were driving and had to drink this all night.
Score - 4.25
Keep your eyes peeled for more exciting non/low alcohol reviews throughout the week
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