Can we just talk about how great BrewDog is? They are only one of two places I know of that I can get NA on tap. I loved draft beer and I love to drink draft beer and that is a big loss as a non-drinker, but then BrewDog comes in and offers their NAs on tap at all of their locations and suddenly there is a reason to go to Columbus, Ohio other than Schmidt’s Sausage Haus in Germantown.
This week we are drinking Hazy AF by BrewDog. As you may have guessed from the name, this is a Hazy IPA, also known as an East Coast IPA. Why is the east coast hazy and the west coast juicy? We may never know. There are some fun tricks with this one and even though BrewDog makes me say “As Fuck” with every AF on their can, this one really was good as fuck, but not what I expected.
How Does It Pour?
Upon cracking the can, you can smell the hops and they linger in the air as you pour this hazy brew into the glass. The first surprise that BrewDog delivers is the color. This beer is light, almost mimicking the color of champagne, but definitely not the clarity. It is true to its name and has a hazy core, but the color is extremely light and the head is a crisp white.
How Does It Taste?
When you bring this BrewDog brew up to your lips and lick it up a little, you may be surprised by the fruit profile, but not as surprised as you will be by how much they were able to sustain the hoppiness of this Hazy IPA. This beer hits like a real IPA and the selection of hops is a science. The fruit profile, though, while difficult to put your tongue finger on at first, is a tropical one, with hints of mango and pineapple, but in a subtle way where it’s like BrewDog is telling you a secret. Shhh, don’t tell!
Untappd gives Hazy AF by BrewDog a 3.6 out of 5 and I suppose that’s pretty spot on. It’s funny to think about because it wasn’t that long ago that this was my favorite NA IPA alongside Free Wave from Athletic, but the market is so saturated now, there are a bunch more beers that are better and worse and just the selection, in general, is crazy! Go try ‘em all, like they’re fucking Pokemon!
#ADDTOCART BREWDOG
NA BEERS & 90s: Sober Curator Justin Lamb is dedicated to tasting great (and sometimes not so great) NA beers and showcasing his amazing collection of memorabilia from the ’90s.
TRIGGER WARNING: People in early sobriety may want to proceed with caution. Always read labels. Please hydrate responsibly … because drunk never looks good.
RECOVERY PODCASTLAND: Want more Justin in your life? We don’t blame you! Check out his podcast Friend Request Justin has in-depth interviews with people he follows on social media, as well as his own social media followers. Friend Request dives deeper than the likes and comments. With each episode, Justin tries to create a more meaningful conversation about each individual he’s connected with. Justin ties each interview together with the commonalities and struggles that not only are extremely relatable but also fall across the entire spectrum of the human experience.
Check Out This Episode from Friend Request:
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