Belgium beers have a reputation for being rigid and traditional in how beers should be brewed. Moving away from tradition, Pico Bello by Brussels Beer Project is the first alcohol-free Belgian craft beer.
We were excited to try this ground-breaking non-alcoholic hazy sour IPA, so read on for our tasting notes in this Pico Bello review!
A Quick Look At Brussels Beer Project’s Pico Bello
Launched in 2019, Pico Bello is Brussels Beer Project’s first alcohol-free beer and also Belgium’s first alcohol-free craft beer. It is a Hazy Sour IPA with a 0.3% alcohol level, and offers a fruity hoppiness, slight bitterness and mild acidity.
Pico Bello is brewed in Belgium in collaboration with De Proefbrouwerij, a Flemish brewery that brews on behalf of other breweries such as Mikkeller and Beavertown.
Pico Bello review
Looks & Aroma
Pico Bello pours a light straw yellow with a slight haze. There is a nice one-inch thick chalk-white foam head with different sized bubbles, a sign of a good fermented beer.
The fruity aroma hits strongly even from a distance. Holding the beer below the nose, there is a distinct aroma of strawberry, peaches, and grapes notes. The fruity aromas are from the fruity esters, a signature of many non-alcoholic beers brewed by De Proefbrouwerij.
Taste
We had high hopes for this hazy IPA. Unfortunately, we felt let down by the over-powering citrus flavors, notably lemon. In fact, the Pico Bello didn’t taste like a beer to us at all.
It tasted more like a sweet and sour fermented juice, and our first reaction was to make a sour face because it was lip-smackingly sour. There are notes of sour lemons, strawberries, grapes, with a very light presence of a malt taste.
It has a smooth and medium body with light carbonation, and the sourness overwhelms the sweetness.
There is zero hop bitterness, and the finish is tart and sour.
Pico Bello Ingredients
Pico Bello is brewed using wheat malt and oat flakes for grains, as well as Amarillo, Citra, Ekuanot, and Simcoe hops. You can already tell that it will be a tropical delight with these hops.
A unique low-alcohol yeast strain is used, which creates fruity esters with minimal alcohol produced. It allows Pico Bello to skip the industrial process of de-alcoholization and retain its aroma notes and flavor profiles.
Pico Bello Calories
At 85.8 kcal per serving, Pico Bello is considered a low-calorie non-alcoholic beer.
| Avg Quantity Per Serving (330ml) | Avg Quantity Per 100ml | |
|---|---|---|
| Energy | 85.8 kcal | 26 kcal |
| Fat | < 0.5g | < 0.5g |
| – Saturated Fat | < 0.5g | < 0.5g |
| Carbs | 18.81g | 5.7g |
| – Sugar | 7.26g | 2.2g |
| Protein | < 0.5g | < 0.5g |
| Salt | < 0.01g | < 0.01g |
Final Verdict Of Our Pico Bello Review
If you’re looking for a non-alcoholic beer to replace an alcoholic hazy IPA, Pico Bello won’t satisfy your thirst for beer. It tastes more like sour fruit juice than a beer substitute, which can be disappointing if you’re looking for that beer taste.
However, it is delicious to drink on its own as an alternative to juices or sodas. It is refreshing and fruity – but don’t expect it to taste like beer!
Where to Buy Pico Bello
If you’re within Europe, you can get it directly from Brussels Beer Project.
Other key FAQs about Brussels Beer Project
Is Pico Bello gluten-free?
No, Pico Bello is not gluten-friendly as it is brewed with barley malts.
For a list of gluten-free and gluten-reduced non-alcoholic beers, check out this article: Ultimate Guide To Gluten-Free Non-Alcoholic Beer
Did you enjoy our Pico Bello review? Then check out our other non-alcoholic beer reviews:
A fruity and sour hazy IPA with big dreams. Unfortunately, it didn't quite hit the mark as a beer alternative.