B.C. Beer Reviews is here today to take a not fake look at the Alternative Facts IPA from Red Collar Brewing. The can claims it is the most tremendous IPA ever, with at least a million and a half hops in it. But can it stand the test of those bold claims?

B.C. Beer Reviews with Nic Hendrickson: Red Collar Brewing – Alternative Facts IPA

Aside from the fact that this beer is taking a poke at almost everyone’s favourite new statement, it is an overall very interesting beer. Refusing to call itself a ‘hazy’ IPA, the can has it labeled as a ‘clouded’ IPA.

Let’s take a look at the not so alternative facts of this beer.

Colour

Pours a clear and bright golden colour from the can. The colour does not change at all in the glass, but the clarity does. When the glass is full it starts to become a bit more cloudy. As stated above, the can states that it is a ‘clouded’ IPA, so this makes sense.

Nose/Aroma

To put it lightly, this is a tropical storm of fruity aromas. To be more specific than that, there is a strong aroma of mango in this one. This is by far the most powerful note in the nose/aroma, and that is no alternative fact.

Behind that are indistinguishable citrus fruit aromas. It comes off as an almost citric acid type aroma as opposed to a specific citrus fruit. Regardless, it is a nice complimentary note to the strong mango aroma ahead of it.

This one could not be categorized as pungent, but you can tell what you are getting into in regards to the hoppy characteristics present in it. The hop presence is dominant in this one, overpowering and of the characteristics that the malt/grain bill may have imparted.

Tasting Notes

Much like in the nose/aroma, the tropical notes are the dominant ones at play here. A very strong taste of mango right off the bat in this one, making for a very pleasant and tasty first sip.

The citric acid aroma does not follow into the tasting notes as strongly as the tropical and mango notes do. It is present, but fairly hard to detect at first in behind the powerful tropical notes.

Despite the can stating that there is zero IBUs to this beer, which is likely an alternative fact, there is a rather decent level of bitterness in this one. It is a very clean and smooth bittering charge. This beer has the perfect level of bitterness for all the hop heads out there.

Other Notes

The branding/labeling is awesome, to say the least. The label is a pleasant shade of greenish-blue with a massive hop on the front. There is a small speech bubble coming off the hop that reads, “Biglyest IPA ever!”. A not so subtle way of mocking everyone’s new favourite phrase and less than favourite politician South of the border.

This beer pours a significant head to it, even with a moderately slow and steady pour. The head is, as the can states, ‘bigly’. The retention of that head is equally as impressive, sticking around long after each pour. It only dissipates, and not even entirely, when you start to drink the beer.

The carbonation level is almost as significant as the head the beer pours, being extremely noticeable throughout. It adds a nice, crisp bite to the back end of the beer that compliments the smooth bittering charge of the beer. The rather light body to the beer goes hand-in-hand with both of these characteristics.

There is a solid amount of lacing on the glass when the beer is gone. The glass is pretty well coated from top to bottom with thin lines of foam that show you where you ended each drink.

Final Grade

The tropical and citrus aromas and tastes are extremely pleasant. They are complimented nicely by a smooth bittering charge, a thin body, crisp finish, and nice colour to this beer. Overall, a very nice beer.

Grade: 8.4/10

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