Gruvi has not graced us with their brews in quite some time, and I think my last review for one of their NA beers was back in the fall, but nonetheless, I’ve got two new ones to try and it looks like there has been a bit of rebranding, too. Gruvi makes NA beers and wine and comes to us from the Rocky Mountain state, Colorado. They are pretty widely distributed, so grab a brew and play along.
This week, we’re drinking Mocha Nitro Stout from Gruvi. I saw this and was immediately excited. For one, they had a re-branding, only one of two NA breweries that have been around long enough to do this, and two, it’s a fricking nitro, bro! Other than the hotly anticipated Guinness, this was the first NA brew I’ve seen with the wonderful word Nitro on the label. I’m expecting great things since Gruvi has good beers. Nothing too crazy, though their Pale Ale is amaze-balls, they tow the line of good enough to buy and drink again.
How Does It Pour?
The direction on the can that Gruvi provides is to shake and then open and pour “aggressively”. Like a Guinness, I did just that. Opened it and flipped the whole can upside down for the pour. You can immediately see the fun fountain of nitro bubbles fall and settle down the length of the glass until the whole beer sits rested and dark. Notes of coffee hang in the air above this NA treat and it’s time to dive in.
How Does It Taste?
Even though the label on Gruvi’s can says Mocha, I am surprised by the chocolate flavor that coats my tongue and throat. Furthermore, and perhaps more impressive, Gruvi found a way to balance that flavor out with hints of coffee and maybe some carob. The flavor is bold and strong, but not sweet and too far in the dessert category. I am super excited about this balance and like all nitro beers, I pound it hard. That’s what she said.
Untappd gives this NA Mocha Nitro Stout from Gruvi a 3.6 out of 5 and in the overall category, I may agree, but as far as NA stouts go, this may be up in the 4’s. I highly recommend you check out all of Gruvi’s brews, as well as their new labels. Happy shopping, guys!
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:
