On a recent trip to Poland, we came across the PINTA Mini Maxi IPA – one of the core beers from Browar PINTA. Browar PINTA is one of the leading breweries within the Polish craft beer space, known for producing diverse beer styles.
That is especially notable considering that 86% of Poland’s beer output is dominated by massive industrial breweries with a uniformity in beer styles and flavors.
Read on for our full tasting notes in this PINTA Mini Maxi IPA review.
A Quick Look At PINTA Mini Maxi IPA
PINTA Mini Maxi IPA is a non-alcoholic Session IPA style beer from Browar PINTA, the first craft brewery in Poland.
It was released in 2019 and is based on Atak Chmielu, an American IPA and one of their core beers, characterized by its hints of citrus, floral tones, resinous elements, pine undertones, and fruity accents.
Mini Maxi IPA is intensely hopped with American hops Citra and Mosaic, and it promises the same citrus, piney, fruity notes as the Atak Chmielu American IPA.
Recommended Beer Glass: We recommend using Spiegelau Craft IPA Glass to drink this IPA, because Spiegelau sets the standard for beer glassware. From the base of the glass, the glass gently widens and then tapers inward towards the rim. This design is intended to enhance the hop aromatics in an IPA.
PINTA Mini Maxi IPA Review
Looks & Aroma
PINTA Mini Maxi IPA pours a slightly hazy straw yellow with lots of fast-rising bubbles.
Due to the glass we had to use in this review (we were traveling, and this was the only available glass in the AirBnb), we weren’t able to properly pour the beer to get a foam head. However, PINTA Mini Maxi IPA usually pours a good two inch foam head.
The juicy and fruity aroma is obvious right from the start of the pour. On the nose, we can smell a mix of pineapple, mango, orange, and grapefruit notes.
Taste
On the palate, the hops shine through right away with a citrus and fruity flavor.
There is some saltiness to the flavor and a moderate hop bitterness that reminds us of the bitterness you get from a grapefruit. We couldn’t quite taste the malts here.
While the aroma had distinct notes of each fruit, on the palate, the flavors are less distinguishable individually and instead come together as a “bouquet of tropical fruits” – namely, pineapple, grapefruit, and mango.
The body and mouthfeel feels smooth and soft, and the crisp carbonation also gives the beer a fuller body. Each sip ends with a long dry hop bitterness at the back of the tongue.
PINTA Mini Maxi IPA Ingredients
PINTA Mini Maxi IPA is made from water, barley malt: Pilsen and Carapils, American Citra and Mosaic hops, and yeast SafAle™ LA-01. Citra and Mosaic hops are the power couple in beer brewing – these hops combine bright citrus, tropical fruit, slight bitterness with soft juiciness.
Carapils Malt is a dextrin-style malt that boosts foam production, bolstering head retention and elevating the mouthfeel of the beer. Importantly, it accomplishes these effects without introducing any additional flavor or color.
The yeast SafAle™ LA-01 is used to brew low and non-alcoholic beverages and does not ferment maltose and maltotriose, only glucose, fructose and sucrose.
PINTA Mini Maxi IPA Calories
A 500 ml bottle of PINTA Mini Maxi IPA contains 105 calories and 24.5 grams of carbohydrates, of which 12.5 grams are sugar.
| Avg Quantity Per Serving (500ml) | |
|---|---|
| Calories | 105 kcal |
| Carbohydrates | 24.5g |
| Protein | 1.5g |
| Fat | 0g |
Final Verdict Of Our PINTA Mini Maxi IPA Review
This is indeed a sessionable non-alcoholic IPA that feels tasty, refreshing, and full-bodied for an alcohol-free IPA.
It hits the style notes with lots of citrus and fruity notes, while the hop bitterness is present but not overwhelming. Very fruity and perfect for those who like juicy IPAs (which I do).
We’re drinking this on a hot summer day with a heatwave going on, and PINTA Mini Maxi IPA feels refreshing and crisp!
Best For:
- Those who love juicy IPAs with lots of fruity and tropical citrus notes
Not Recommended For:
- If you like really bitter IPAs because this has a mild bitterness
Where to Buy PINTA Mini Maxi IPA
You can find PINTA Mini Maxi IPA in Poland and some European countries. Unfortunately, we couldn’t find a place to buy PINTA Mini Maxi IPA in the United States, but if you’re in the UK, you might be able to find it in selected craft beer stores.
We hope you enjoyed the PINTA Mini Maxi IPA review. Discover more Polish non-alcoholic beers here:
A well-balanced IPA with lots of juiciness and good mouthfeel.