Ok, to understand this week’s beer, I suppose you should know who The Naked Collective is. This is a company founded in Ireland, but brewed in the U.S. Confused, yet? Don’t be. I recently learned that Ireland is a tax haven for some major companies. Isn’t that weird? The Naked Collective wants to make health-conscience beverages for you and me and everyone we know. They have mood drinks that they call “Mude” drinks, which look like Kin Euphorics, maybe, but then they also have this beer, or should I say “beer”.
This week we are drinking So-Beer by The Naked Collective. This beer is marketed as a healthy light lager beer but in a weird inconspicuous way. The can is slim and black with silver writing, reminiscent of a Liquid Death sparkling water can. Above the name So-Beer in small print, it has the word ‘immunoboost’, which immediately draws you to the label on the back where the company explains, vaguely, what you’re drinking: essential beer with vitamins. Side note, doesn’t Jamba Juice call their powder enhancements ‘immunoboosts’ too?
When you crack the can, there’s no specific aroma that comes out of the can begging you to try it. Though it would appear that the goal of The Naked Collective is to make a beer replacement for everyday beer, in that way, I would not anticipate too much aroma, the same I wouldn’t anticipate too much aroma off of a Natural Light or Busch.
The Naked Collective shines when you pour the beer in a glass and get a very classic, filtered, golden lager color. The beer really is picture-perfect in this way and this may be the most balanced part of it. The crisp white head and the light lager color are near perfect. The only change in the aroma is the ability to pick up on the malty yeast balance you would expect from a microbrew beer.
When the beer hits your lips, it is there that the goal of The Naked Collective comes to fruition. While you do get a nice balance of malt, hops, barley, and yeast, there is something else, too. A sweetness. This, in my opinion, is the Beta Glucan that they add in as the ‘immunoboost’ to your beer. It was always my impression that the fact that the beer was non-alcoholic was a healthy enough choice. This one takes it to the next level, but has me frustrated and wondering am I drinking an energy drink with vitamins and minerals or a beer. Pick a lane.
Untappd gives So-Beer by The Naked Collective a 2.2 out of 5 and I think this is pretty accurate. The same beer with grapefruit, which is also available, is only slightly higher at 2.3. This is definitely a better option than your grandpa’s O’Douls, but I don’t know if that’s saying much. With the consistent growth and innovation in the NA beer market, I think you really have to aim higher than this, unless you are specifically marketing towards the O’Douls and Busch NA drinkers.
#ADDTOCART THE NAKED COLLECTIVE
NA BEERS AND 90s: 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 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.
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