Drop Bear Yuzu pale ale
Drop Bear are a Welsh brewer currently offering four different alcohol-free beers including a stout (Bonfire – which I reviewed some time back), IPA, lager and this … the Drop Bear Yuzu Pale Ale.
Not heard of Yuzu before? Don’t worry neither had I but it is basically a citrus fruit you commonly find in Asian countries. Known for its acidity and citrusy flavours it sounds like a good bed-fellow when added to beers … and that is exactly what Drop Bear has done. Using Yuzu extract and combining it with American hops and an interesting mix of barley malts from Germany you know you’re in for a real treat.
So is the use of Yuzu a gimmick or did it actually enhance the drinking experience? Well, you’ll just need to read the review below to find out.
Is Drop Bear Yuzu Pale Ale any good?
Taste
Drop Bear has certainly created a unique tasting alcohol-free beer with their Yuzu Pale Ale. Crammed full of interesting citrusy, tart flavours and balanced off with the sweetness of the malt it makes for a refreshing beer. If I had to grumble it would be that the Yuzu is a bit overwhelming and could do with some dampening down but overall a tasty drinking experience.
Aroma & Appearance
Wow – this pale ale offers punchy aromas by the bucketload; reminiscent of a full-strength IPA. You get all sorts of smells when the beer is released, from various citrus fruits and even bananas. The beer pours out with a golden amber colour and actually has a decent head on it (which soon dissipates).
Bonus points
Considering its striking taste Yuzu pale ale is actually pretty low on calories (just 25 per bottle). Like Bonfire stout, this beer is also both vegan friendly and gluten-free. Availability-wise it isn’t the easiest beer to find in supermarkets but there are a number of alcohol-free stockists.
Buy Drop Bear’s YUZU pale ale
At the time of writing, you can purchase this alcohol-free pale ale from the following online alcohol-free specialists as well as Drop Bear’s own site.
The Dry Drinker is a great allrounder when it comes to alcohol-free drinks with a great range of wines, beers and spirits.
COST (at time of publication) – £15 x 8
Key information
– per 330ml
Brewery – Drop Bear
Country – UK
Alcohol content – 0.5%
Calories – 25
Ingredients – Water, Malted Barley, Wheat, Oats, Hops, Yeast, Yuzu Extract
Vegan friendly? – yes
Gluten-free? – yes
Availability – medium
“Drunkenness is nothing but voluntary madness.”
-Seneca, AD 50 BC
