IPA
Brooklyn Brewery is a famous maker of craft beers. In fact, they have probably moved beyond the status of craft beer (which could be good or bad). But they are well-known for making good beer.
Which is why I got excited about their entry into the non-alcoholic brew market. My review of Brooklyn Special Effects IPA is fitting as the first review in the NA space because it’s the first brew I tried that was outside of the standard run-of-the-mill non-alcoholic beers like O’Douls, etc.
The Special Effects IPA brew tastes like beer. That is the good news. It has the flavor of an IPA, which tends to be bitter. Beer lovers often enjoy that bitterness, which is why I think NA brewers are favoring this style. The bitterness helps to make the brews taste rather close to the real McCoy.
What I Like:
I like that the brew tastes like an IPA. This is a largely drinkable brew that you will not go wrong when you purchase this.
What I Feel Could Use Improvement:
While I think the taste is good, I feel like it fades too quickly after you swallow. There is a bit of an aftertaste that was slightly unpleasant.
Overall
The Brooklyn Special Effects IPA is on my recommended list. I wouldn’t say it’s the best, but it is good. I enjoy this with my meals and both before and after.
If you are looking for a good alternative NA brew, this will measure up.
What Others Are Saying
Taste is obviously subjective. In the Amazon reviews, you have one person who thinks this is the best brew around. Then, you have another that doesn’t think it’s the best, but is certainly a cut above the standard brews, like O’Douls and Moussy.
I think this brew deserves to be placed further up in the lineup than classifying it as being a little better than O’Douls and Moussy. But I have found other brews that are a cut above this, too.
Where to Find
As Brooklyn Brewery is a popular name, the company is likely to use its influence to get their NA brews distributed widely. I live in the Metro NY area, so I have already found it in a few places. Like I said, it is one of the first besides the standard brands that I saw and bought.
It’s listed on Amazon and has reviews, but surprisingly, it’s not available through the Brooklyn Brewery. They probably have an arrangement with a distributor (Brentwood D&F) so they don’t want to compete directly.
You can buy it directly from Brooklyn Brewery, though, at least if you live in the United States.