Impossibrew pale ale review
Summary
Drink – Impossibrew
Type – non-alcoholic pale ale
Alcohol content – 0.5%
Rating– 65/100
Review – At the end of the day, I like what Impossibrew are trying to do with their ‘social blend’ as I genuinely felt more chilled after drinking the pale ale. My issue is that it simply didn’t have the fruity, hoppy intensity I would expect from an alcohol-free pale ale. That said if you’re looking for a drink that’s a bit different then I reckon this is worth a try.
🍺 Discover More Alcohol-Free Beers
Still exploring the world of alcohol-free beer? Browse our highest-rated beers, compare different styles and find your next favourite brew.
The first time I heard about Impossibrew was when I saw their founder, Mark, on TV show Dragons Den. He did a sterling job in front of the dragons and piqued my interest as to his new alcohol-free offering – Impossibrew … but what exactly is it? Well, firstly the name comes from the fact so many doubted that Mark’s plant-infused non-alcoholic beer would work in the first place … boo hiss to those cynics.
They have gone on to produce two alcohol-free beers – either Impossibrew’s lager or their pale ale which is what I tried today. Impossibrew uses their own proprietary mix they call their ‘social blend’ which uses plant-powered ingredients designed for boosting serotonin and making you feel more chilled (its a bit like the Three Spirits idea I reviewed a while back).
In Impossibrew’s pale ale they use a standard beer brewing ingredients – water, malted barley, wheat, hops and yeast. However, there is also the addition of their social blend which includes L-Theanine (a superfood to create calmness), ginseng, lemon balm and Griffonia seed (which helps to soothe the mind).
So is Impossibrew a moment of madness or a genius idea? Well, you’ll need to read my review below to find out.
🤔 Not Sure Which Alcohol-Free Drink To Try?
We've reviewed hundreds of drinks so you don't have to.
Use our free Drink Selector to find the best alcohol-free drink for your tastes.
Is Impossibrew Pale any good?
Taste
Given the hype around the addition of all the extra ingredients, I was expecting a beer that had much more flavour and impact than what I tasted. To me, it was a bit too watery and light and there was only a subtle background flavour of fruit and hops which ideally would have been stronger. Look, it wasn’t unpleasant – it was just a bit meh! Non-descript (especially when compared to other alcohol-free pale ales I’ve had).
Aroma & Appearance
I found the aromas from this beer to be more impactful than the taste. You can pick out bitter hops as well as mango and peach. In the glass, it pours out like a typical pale ale with a light, hazy amber look and has a short frothy head.
Bonus points
Impossibrew gets extra bonus points for the addition of the extra herbs and vitamins it uses. To be fair, 15 mins in, I did feel a bit more chilled than normal so it felt like the ingredients were having a pleasant effect on my mind. Note that this alcohol-free beer is suitable for vegans but not for gluten-free drinkers. Availability-wise you can find this from a number of online retailers or from Impossibrews own site.
Buy Impossibrew beers
At the time of writing, you could get this alcohol-free beer from either the Impossibrew site or from the online retailer below.
Wise Bartender is a very well-respected alcohol-free retailer with a great selection of booze-free drinks and an easy-to-use site.
Proof No More is a great American non-alcoholic retailer that brings all the latest and greatest beers, spirits and more to your door.
Check out their extensive collection of non-alcoholic beer.
🏆 Top 10 Ranked Alcohol-Free Beers
If you’re exploring other alcohol-free beers, these are the highest-ranked beers currently reviewed on MyDryBar.
| Beer | Type | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Lucky Saint | Lager | 88 |
| Joker AF | IPA | 87 |
| Maisel’s Weisse | Wheat Beer | 86 |
| Coconut Grove | Pale Ale | 85 |
| Biere Des Amis | Blonde | 83 |
| Modelo 0% Negra | Lager | 82 |
| Nanny State | Pale Ale | 82 |
| Guinness 0.0 | Stout | 82 |
| JUICY AF - Tropical Pale Ale | Fruit Beer | 81 |
| Kaleidoscope | Pale Ale | 81 |
Scores are based on MyDryBar reviews and may change as new beers are added.
Key information
– per 100ml
Brewery – Impossibrew
Country – UK
Alcohol content – 0.5%
Calories – 14
Ingredients – Water, Malted Barley, Hops, Wheat, Social Blend™ (L-Theanine, Ginseng Extract, Griffonia Seed Extract, Lemon Balm Extract, Vitamin B1), Yeast.
Vegan friendly? – yes
Gluten-free? – no
Availability – Medium
Impossibrew Pale Ale FAQs
What is Impossibrew Pale Ale?
Impossibrew Pale Ale is a 0.5% ABV alcohol-free pale ale brewed in the UK. What makes it different from many alcohol-free beers is the addition of Impossibrew’s proprietary “Social Blend”, which contains ingredients such as L-Theanine, ginseng, lemon balm and Griffonia seed extract.
Is Impossibrew Pale Ale alcohol-free?
Impossibrew Pale Ale contains 0.5% ABV, so it is technically classified as an alcohol-free beer under UK regulations, although it does contain a very small amount of alcohol.
What does Impossibrew Pale Ale taste like?
Impossibrew Pale Ale is designed to offer light citrus, tropical fruit and hop flavours. In our review, we found it lighter and less punchy than some of the best alcohol-free pale ales on the market, although the aromas were more pronounced than the flavour itself.
What is the Impossibrew Social Blend?
The Social Blend is Impossibrew’s unique combination of functional ingredients including L-Theanine, ginseng, lemon balm and Griffonia seed extract. The company says these ingredients are designed to help drinkers feel more relaxed and sociable without alcohol.
Does Impossibrew really make you feel more relaxed?
Experiences vary from person to person. During our review, we felt slightly more relaxed after drinking it, although this is subjective and individual results will differ. The functional ingredients are a key part of the brand’s appeal.
Is Impossibrew Pale Ale vegan?
Yes. Impossibrew Pale Ale is suitable for vegans and contains no animal-derived ingredients.
Is Impossibrew Pale Ale gluten-free?
No. Impossibrew Pale Ale contains malted barley and wheat, making it unsuitable for people following a gluten-free diet or those with coeliac disease.
How many calories are in Impossibrew Pale Ale?
Impossibrew Pale Ale contains around 14 calories per 100ml, making it significantly lower in calories than most full-strength pale ales.
Where can I buy Impossibrew Pale Ale?
Impossibrew Pale Ale is available directly from the Impossibrew website and from a number of specialist alcohol-free retailers including Wise Bartender and other online stores.
What are the best alternatives to Impossibrew Pale Ale?
If you’re looking for more flavour-forward alcohol-free pale ales, consider options such as Joker AF, Coconut Grove, Nanny State, Adnams Ghost Ship 0.5% or Athletic Brewing Run Wild IPA. These beers generally deliver stronger hop character and a fuller pale ale experience.
📚 Continue Reading
Explore more flavourful alcohol-free beers from across the craft beer world.
