Go Brewing is a non-alcoholic brewery and taproom based in Naperville, Illinois, and I finally got my hands on one of their bestsellers—the Sunshine State Tropical IPA.
As a huge fan of juicy hazy IPAs, also known as NEIPA (New England IPA), I’ve often found that the non-alcoholic versions I’ve tried are either too thin and watery or not hoppy and fruity enough.
Go Brewing’s Sunshine State Tropical IPA is a non-alcoholic IPA brewed with bru-1 and zamba hops, and these hop varieties typically create flavors of sweet, fruity pineapple, mango, and other tropical fruits.
Will this NA beer live up to its hype? Check out my tasting notes below.
*Disclaimer: We received a mixed box from Go Brewing free in exchange for my honest, unbiased review, with no additional financial compensation involved.
A Quick Look At Go Brewing Sunshine State Tropical IPA
One of the standout features of Sunshine State Tropical IPA is that it won the Silver Medal at the Best Of Craft Beer Awards 2023.
Additionally, it is brewed with oats and lactose, so I am anticipating a fuller mouthfeel compared to many other non-alcoholic hazy IPAs.
Go Brewing Sunshine State Tropical IPA Review
Looks
Just like its namesake, this non-alcoholic beer pours a hazy, golden pineapple yellow that screams sunshine, with a lively amount of carbonation.
Aroma
Right away, I smell a huge whiff of mango, pineapple, and peach after cracking open the can.
The addition of mango and peach fruits, as well as the use of bru-1 and zamba hops, really enhances the tropical vibes of this non-alcoholic beer.
Taste
Sunshine State Tropical IPA tastes just like its aroma, offering a juicy and refreshing flavor profile with notes of mango, peach, citrus orange, and pineapple.
The beer is sweet without being sticky or cloying, and it feels well-balanced with a light touch of hop bitterness.
Mouthfeel
Remember how I mentioned that many non-alcoholic hazy IPAs struggle with a thin, watery body? Well, Sunshine State Tropical IPA is not one of them.
Instead, I experience a full body and an almost creamy mouthfeel that doesn’t thin out at the end of each sip. It is also very bubbly from the high carbonation.
I am very impressed by how good this beer tastes on the palate!
Go Brewing Sunshine State Ingredients
Water, barley, oats, lactose, hops, yeast, mango, and peach.
Final Verdict Of Go Brewing Sunshine State
This is one incredibly juicy non-alcoholic hazy IPA with a satisfying, full-bodied mouthfeel and just the right amount of sweetness for my preference.
I love the mango and peachy flavors in this NA beer, and the delightful tropical fruits aroma upon cracking open a can adds to the overall experience.
What I Loved:
- The burst of tropical notes such as mango, peach, and pineapple in both the aroma and the flavors. It might just be one of the juiciest NA beer I’ve had so far (even more than Sam Adam’s Just The Haze).
- Unlike many non-alcoholic hazy IPAs, this one maintains a good mouthfeel and body without thinning out.
- Personally, I found the level of sweetness to be just right—it’s not too sweet to be cloying or sticky.
What I Did Not Like:
- There isn’t much that I didn’t like, but perhaps it could benefit from a slightly stronger malt presence.
Where To Buy Go Brewing Sunshine State
If you’re in the United States, you can order directly from Amazon US. Unfortunately, I don’t see Go Brewing being sold outside of the United States for now.
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