Proper Job 0.5% IPA Review
A properly hoppy low-alcohol IPA from St Austell Brewery, with citrus, grapefruit and tropical hop character.
Pros
Cons
Proper Job 0.5% IPA Review
Proper Job 0.5% IPA is a low-alcohol version of St Austell Brewery’s well-known Proper Job IPA. It is brewed to 0.5% ABV and aims to keep the citrusy, hop-forward character of the original beer while offering a lighter, lower-alcohol alternative.
In the glass, it pours a clear golden amber colour with a short frothy head. It looks like a proper IPA rather than a thin alcohol-free lager, and the colour immediately suggests a beer with more malt and hop presence than many supermarket 0.0 options.
The aroma is one of the stronger parts of the beer. There are classic IPA hop notes, with citrus, grapefruit and a little tropical fruit coming through from the Cascade, Chinook and Willamette hops. It feels recognisably like Proper Job rather than a completely separate alcohol-free product.
On the palate, Proper Job 0.5% is crisp, bitter and nicely hopped. The citrus and grapefruit flavours arrive quickly, while a background of malt sweetness helps stop the bitterness from becoming too sharp. It does not have the full body or depth of the original IPA, but it has far more flavour than many weaker alcohol-free beers.
Overall, this is a very good low-alcohol IPA and one I would happily buy again. It is especially suited to IPA drinkers who want proper hop flavour without moving into overly sweet or watery alcohol-free beer territory.
Best Served & Pairing
Best served:
Serve Proper Job 0.5% IPA well chilled in a clean IPA glass or tulip glass. It works best straight from the fridge, where the crisp bitterness and citrus hop notes stay fresh and refreshing.
Pairing recommendation:
Proper Job 0.5% IPA pairs well with barbecue food, burgers, grilled chicken, spicy tacos, curries and salty snacks. The citrus and grapefruit hop character is especially good with smoky, spicy or fried food.
Where to Buy Proper Job 0.5% IPA
RetailerAmazon View → How Proper Job 0.5% IPA Compares
| Drink | Style | ABV | Best For | MyDryBar View |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Proper Job 0.5% IPA | IPA | 0.5% | Classic UK IPA hop flavour | Hoppy, citrus-led and one of the stronger mainstream low-alcohol IPAs. |
| Lucky Saint IPA | IPA | 0.5% | Modern, balanced IPA drinkers | Cleaner and more polished, with strong drinkability. |
| BrewDog Nanny State | Pale Ale | 0.5% | Big bitterness and craft-style hops | More intense and bitter, but can feel thinner. |
| Athletic Brewing Run Wild IPA | IPA | 0.5% | American-style IPA fans | More tropical and modern, but usually harder to find in the UK. |
| Adnams Ghost Ship 0.5% | Pale Ale | 0.5% | English pale ale drinkers | More rounded and malty, with less punchy IPA bitterness. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Proper Job 0.5% IPA alcohol-free?
Proper Job 0.5% IPA contains 0.5% ABV. In the UK, beers at or below 0.5% ABV are commonly sold as alcohol-free or low-alcohol beers, although it is not a 0.0% beer.
Who makes Proper Job 0.5% IPA?
Proper Job 0.5% IPA is brewed by St Austell Brewery, the Cornwall brewery behind the original full-strength Proper Job IPA.
How many calories are in Proper Job 0.5% IPA?
Proper Job 0.5% IPA contains 22 calories per 100ml, according to St Austell Brewery’s published nutritional information.
Is Proper Job 0.5% IPA vegan?
Yes. St Austell Brewery lists Proper Job 0.5% IPA as suitable for vegans and vegetarians.
Is Proper Job 0.5% IPA gluten-free?
No. Proper Job 0.5% IPA contains barley and wheat, so it is not gluten-free and is not suitable for people with coeliac disease.
What does Proper Job 0.5% IPA taste like?
It has citrus, grapefruit and tropical hop notes, with a crisp bitter finish and enough malt sweetness to keep it balanced. It tastes much closer to a proper IPA than many thin alcohol-free beers.
Where can I buy Proper Job 0.5% IPA?
In the UK, Proper Job 0.5% IPA is available from St Austell Brewery, selected supermarkets and specialist alcohol-free retailers such as Dry Drinker and Wise Bartender when in stock.
Would I buy Proper Job 0.5% IPA again?
Yes. Proper Job 0.5% IPA is a strong low-alcohol IPA with enough hop flavour, bitterness and drinkability to make it worth buying again.
⭐ MyDryBar Final Verdict
Proper Job 0.5% IPA is a genuinely enjoyable low-alcohol IPA that keeps enough of the Proper Job character to feel worthwhile. The citrus, grapefruit and tropical hop notes give it real personality, while the malt sweetness helps balance the bitterness. It is not as full-bodied as the original, but for a widely available UK low-alcohol IPA, it does a very good job.
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