BrewDog is a success story. Well, at least it has followed the trajectory of a good capitalist company and grown from its roots in Scotland to become a multinational behemoth of a brewery. Apparently it produces more than 80 million litres of beer each year. Now, there has been some “discussion” about its employment practices, but for now, I’m just going to focus on the beer, and their addition to the non-alcoholic market: BrewDog Hazy AF.
It features an ABV of 0.5% and uses lactose (so not vegan-friendly, alas), oats and a variety of hops in its attempt to mimic the creamy texture and flavour profile of its craft alcoholic counterparts. Let’s have a taste and see whether they succeed.
Appearance
BrewDog Hazy AF pours with a golden-orange hue with a bit of haze in the glass. This reasonably dense body and the fluffy head it pours do give it the appearance of a New England IPA. As the head dissipates slowly, it does leave some lacing, although not a lot.
Aroma
On the nose, Hazy AF delivers a punch of tropical fruits, primarily notes of mango, pineapple and citrus zest. This is due to the dry hopping technique they use in the brewing process. There is a slightly grassy undertone that is present, but it doesn’t really balance the dominant fruit flavours quite enough. Plus, there is a sort of metallic tint that detracts a bit from the fruit-forward nose.
Taste
Unfortunately, that faint metallic note is also present on the palate. Initially, those tropical fruit flavours hit you – pineapple, mango and some grapefruit – then a more bitter element (with that artificial tang) comes in. The lactose provides a subtle sweetness, which is a boon, although there is just something, for me, that is a little off-kilter about the balance of flavours here.
Mouthfeel
The inclusion of oats and lactose gives the beer a creamy, smooth texture. This is crucial in replicating the characteristic richness of a New England IPA. The carbonation is moderate, providing just enough effervescence without overwhelming the palate. That said, for those expecting the weight of a higher-ABV IPA, Hazy AF might feel slightly thinner. While this is a limitation inherent to alcohol-free brewing, the mouthfeel of this brew is one of it’s best features.
Finish
The finish on BrewDog Hazy AF is clean, crisp and slightly bitter. There are lingering notes of citrus peel and a faint hint of resin. It’s refreshing without being overly drying, making it an easy drink for casual or extended sessions. However, some drinkers might find the aftertaste a bit one-dimensional compared to the complexities of an alcoholic IPA.
Pairing Suggestions
With Hazy AF, I think you want to a counterpoint to those fruity flavours. So I’d err more towards spicy dishes, such as Thai curries or tacos. You could try it with salads that have a citrusy vinaigrette, but I think that might a bit much. Probably best is just to serve alongside some salted nuts for grazing.
Overall Impressions of BrewDog Hazy AF
The BrewDog Hazy AF does a decent enough impression of an alcoholic New England IPA. For me there’s a bit too much reliance on the fruit flavours, and that odd metallic tang that I get doesn’t sit right, but it’s a solid offering and, plus point, is pretty competitive when it comes to price.