We are joined once more by our friends in Colorado, Gruvi! You may remember some of the many beers of theirs we’ve reviewed, or maybe you know them from their non-alcoholic wine selection. Either way, you likely know Gruvi continues to be known for pumping out large quantities and mass distributing high-quality and great-tasting goodies for your mouth and mind to gobble up. So, come along and find out if this week’s choice will be another winner…or the dog’s dinner.
This week, we are drinking a Juicy IPA from Gruvi. We’ve had lots of juicy IPAs on here, and I think the IPA world is very confusing regarding Hazy and Juicy IPAs. These started as representatives of different US coasts, east, and west, respectively, but now it seems as though they are interchangeable, and I guess that’s fine, but we may want to find a different way to present these. Am I getting tropical notes or citrus notes? Should I wear jeans or shorts? How much is that doggie in the window? Either way, it’s all Gruvi.
This Juicy IPA from Gruvi cracks open and sends scents of a tropical paradise up your nose. While they promise pineapple, there is more to the aroma than that. The pour reminds you that it’s a juicy IPA and not a hazy IPA as it is obvious, but kissed with a cream-colored head, reminding you that it is still an IPA. The golden yellow color is slightly more reminiscent of a pale ale or lager, but we’ll see if the flavor lands that way.
As soon as the juicy IPA hits your lips, you can taste what Gruvi promises: a plethora of tropical flavor, accented all around by pineapple. The overall flavor profile of the tropical sweetness is hard to put your finger on though, and taste more like a blended tropical punch candy flavor than a selection of pineapples, mangoes, and guava that you may be expecting. The hops are present and in the mix to remind you it’s an IPA base, but they are subtle and blended well with the fruit flavors to create a sweet, hoppy, balance.
Untappd gives this Juicy IPA from Gruvi a 3.3 out of 5. I may up that to a 3.5, especially as it compares to other Juicy IPAs in the NA realm, but pretty spot-on. Gruvi is one of those companies with excellent distribution, as I mentioned, so even if you can’t get it shipped, you can likely find this and their other products at a store nearby, so check them out!
HAPPY EVERY HOUR 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.
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 strives to foster a more meaningful conversation with each individual he connects with. Justin ties each interview together with the commonalities and struggles that are not only extremely relatable but also fall across the entire spectrum of the human experience.
Check Out This Episode from Friend Request:
Resources Are Available
If you or someone you know is experiencing difficulties surrounding alcoholism, addiction, or mental illness, please reach out and ask for help. People everywhere can and want to help; you just have to know where to look. And continue to look until you find what works for you. Click here for a list of regional and national resources.
