One smell is all it takes with Brew By Numbers, one smell and you're hooked for life. Any of their beers, regardless of what style you favour, one little whiff of any of their beers and you'll be a convert. It stands to reason that if you're new to the world of craft beer then you might start out with something a little less terrifying, maybe with words that you understand like "session." That's why this beer is so dangerous, yes it's 4.3% so it's not dangerous the same way that Un-human Cannonball is dangerous (a 12% triple IPA by Magic Rock) but this is the gateway drug, this is the unassuming little guy in a suit who stands at the back of fights in old kung fu films.
On the nose it's mellow and fruity, earthy through the core to soften it whilst still pronouncing that it exists. The body is a hazy golden that coyly beckons us to drink and the head is a fluffy pillow in which I could bury my entire face with no complaints.
What does it taste like? Well, as I said earlier, this is the perfect gateway drug... And I use that in the nicest possible way. It shows you what a normal strength IPA can be like, whilst giving you a leisurely walking tour of the refreshing bitterness and fruity hints that lie therein. It's not loud, it's not mind-blowing, but in its own way it is rather excellent.
The guys at BBNo decided not to make a session IPA the strength of the current crowd of low ABV beers as they feared it would affect the body, making it too weak structurally as opposed to weak in an alcoholic sense. They were bang on the money there, this is light and refreshing but still retains a rounded element that you definitely don't get from many beers at this percentage.
I'm starting to think that the guys from BBNo aren't brewers at all, I'm starting to think that they were sent from the future, already possessing the secrets to being masters of the beer-niverse... Either that or they're wizards... Yeah, I reckon they're probably wizards.
Food Suggestion: I would've loved one of these when I was on holiday in America. Supping at a cold plastic cup of 11|01 at Fenway Park instead of the partially cold Sam Adams seasonal thing I bought for $10. This needs sun and American ball-park food. Preferably a hot dog.
Drink this if you like: Gives me the same feeling that I get from Founders All Day IPA, the feeling of contentment.
