Brooklyn Brewery got into the non-alcoholic game fairly early, releasing its first alcohol-free brew, Special Effects Hoppy Amber, in 2019.
Since then, the brewery has expanded its Special Effects line to include Special Effects IPA, a non-alcoholic pilsner, and a non-alcoholic hazy IPA.
This non-alcoholic beer promises notes of caramel and toasted malt, but did it deliver? Here is my full Brooklyn Brewery Special Effects Hoppy Amber review where I share my tasting notes.
A Quick Look At Special Effects Hoppy Amber
Brooklyn Brewery is a craft brewery that was founded by Steve Hindy and Tom Potter in 1988. The choice of Brooklyn as a brewing location was deliberate, as the pair wanted to return the city to its former glory days as a brewing powerhouse.
Special Effects Hoppy Amber is a non-alcoholic beer that was released in 2019. The name “Special Effects” comes from the fact that this brew tastes so much like beer, even without alcohol.
Brooklyn Brewery uses a process called vacuum distillation to remove the alcohol. Because this process involves heating the beverage to a low temperature, the non-alcoholic beer is meant to retain the flavor and aroma.
Brooklyn Brewery Special Effects Hoppy Amber Review
Looks
As the name suggests, Special Effects Hoppy Amber pours a clear amber color.
The carbonation was pretty light and the thin head had moderate retention, sticking around for about 30 seconds.
Aroma
On the nose, I can smell notes of bready malt, caramel, citrus (especially grapefruit), and a hint of pine. Overall, the breadiness and the hoppy citrus notes stuck out the most to me.
Taste
Brooklyn Brewery describes Special Effects Hoppy Amber as flavorful, zesty, and satisfying. For the most part, I think that’s an excellent description of the flavor profile.
Malt and caramel sweetness provide plenty of flavor, while the hint of grapefruit gives the zest.
The finish is smooth and slightly fruity.
Special Effects Hoppy Amber Ingredients
Hoppy Amber contains water, hops, and barley malt. More specifically, this beer is brewed with a combination of three hops: Amarillo, Cascade, and Simcoe.
Amarillo hops are notable for their floral and citrus notes, in particular orange, grapefruit, and lemon. Cascade hops are also citrusy but have a more pronounced grapefruit flavor. Simcoe hops feature notes of pine, earth, and tropical fruits.
Barley malt is a natural sweetener that comes from barley. It is often used as a substitute for refined sugar.
Special Effects Hoppy Amber Calories
A 12oz (355mL) can of Hoppy Amber contains 95 calories, 17g of carbohydrates, 1.5g of protein, and 0g of fat.
At 95 calories a can, it is not the lowest calorie-non-alcoholic beer in the market. 17 grams of carbs is also rather high. If you’re looking for a low-calorie non-alcoholic beer, we wrote an article featuring non-alcoholic beers with the lowest calories.
| Avg Quantity Per Serving (12 oz/ 355 ml) | |
|---|---|
| Calories | 95 kcal |
| Carbohydrates | 17g |
| Protein | 1.5g |
| Fat | 0.0g |
Final Verdict Of My Special Effects Hoppy Amber Review
Overall, I thought the flavor profile of Special Effects Hoppy Amber was complex, tasty, and satisfying.
The three-hop blend provided all kinds of interesting tasting notes, ranging from zesty grapefruit to subtle pine. Meanwhile, the malt gives the beer a decent body (especially for a non-alcoholic beer) and a pleasant caramel flavor.
Compared to other ambers (alcoholic or non-alcoholic), Special Effects is a well-balanced, tasty beverage that’s pleasant enough to sip. That said, it didn’t leave much of an impression on me and I thought it is quite an average NA beer.
Good For:
- Those looking for an inoffensive ale that is well-balanced and flavorful
Not Recommended For:
- If you are looking for a very hoppy beer
Where to Buy Special Effects Hoppy Amber
Customers in the United States can purchase Special Effects Hoppy Amber from Proof No More, a non-alcoholic drinks retailer. It is sold in individual cans only.
In the UK, Special Effects Hoppy Amber is available at Dry Drinker.
Other Special Effects Hoppy Amber FAQs
Is Special Effects Hoppy Amber Gluten-Free?
Unfortunately, Hoppy Amber is not gluten-free. It is made using barley malt, a gluten-containing ingredient.
If you’re craving a beer sans gluten, be sure to check out our Ultimate Guide To Gluten-Free Non-Alcoholic Beer!
Is Special Effects Hoppy Amber Alcohol-Free?
Hoppy Amber contains less than 0.5% ABV, making it alcohol-free according to FDA guidelines for non-alcoholic beverages.
To put this amount of alcohol into context, 0.5% is about what you would expect to find in a ripe banana or a glass of apple juice.
Related: Can Non-Alcoholic Beer Get You Drunk? We Did The Math
Is Special Effects Hoppy Amber Vegan?
With a couple of exceptions containing honey, all of Brooklyn Brewery’s beers are vegan.
The company goes on to say that its cask beers are filtered with vegan-friendly Biofine Clear, a clarifying agent that helps drop yeast and other haze-forming particles out of beer. Biofine Clear is made out of colloidal silicon dioxide and contains zero animal products.
If you enjoyed our Brooklyn Brewery Special Effects Hoppy Amber review, check out some of our other reviews:
A well-balanced amber with plenty of hoppy flavor from start to finish.