Sunset Stoke by Athletic Brewing Company

A surprisingly full-bodied red IPA. Caramel malt and piney hops, fluffy head, smooth feel. 3.75/5 stars.

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TGIF, or as I’m calling it, Dry Friday. Time to try out another NA beer! It’s been a busy week, so I’ll keep this one in a brief review format.

Look: Pours translucent amber from the can with a fluffy cream-colored head. 4/5

Smell: Light pine and good amounts of citrus. 3.5/5

Taste: A quick hit of bread and caramel, quickly followed by light citrus acidity and immediately washed down by a resinous bitter. Each sip continues to follow the pattern as the piney bitterness builds. Slightly on the dry side for and IPA, but some residual sweetness to walk back the bitter. 3.75/5

Feel: Moderate levels of carbonation, well within expectations for American ales. Much lighter-bodied than is typical for an IPA, likely because of the NA brewing process. This is where the beer seems most lacking, as the light body doesn’t support the strong flavors. 2.5/5

Overall: This is the best NA beer I’ve tried. They didn’t shy away from malt or hop flavors, and the experience is as close to standard beer as I think you can get. While the mouthfeel was slightly disappointing, as a complete package it was a satisfying experience. If Athletic’s quality is this good across the board, I may become a true believer! 3.5/5

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