Scratch 'N Sniff
Flying Monkeys Craft Brewery

At my lady Pamela's house; canned and chilled, 473mL in a pint glass. From their Wonder Box Unique Fruit IPAs boxset at my favourite LCBO at Tecumseh Mall in nearby Windsor. Canned April 21/25. My 25th beer from the Barrie, Ontario brewery, 3rd for 2026. With Sundae the cat's fervent adoration...

April 4, 2026: At my lady Pamela's house; canned and chilled, 473mL in a pint glass. From their Wonder Box Unique Fruits IPAs boxset at my favourite LCBO at Tecumseh Mall in nearby Windsor. Canned April 21/25. My 2nd time drinking this, and for 2026. With Gracie the cat...

 

473 mL can from the LCBO, included in their Wonder Box mixed pack. Dated Apr 21 2025 and served slightly chilled.

Pours a relatively clear pale golden-yellow colour, producing over an inch of soapy, foamy white head that scatters within three minutes or so. A sponge print-patterned coat of lace clings to the glass, with a sudsy cap and collar staying put on the surface - looks good to me. Subtle notes of strawberry and sweet cream on the nose, as well as hints of mango, mandarin orange and honeydew melon.

Nice flavours; the strawberries and lactose are noticeable without being the centre of attention. Real strawberry at the forefront, with orange, mango and melon also coming through; suggestions of wheaty, bready malts add some background support. Finishes like a strawberry milkshake, e.g. strawberry flavouring and sweet cream, interrupted by an earthy, resiny hop bitterness at the end; both of these aspects dissipate together into the aftertaste. Medium-full in body, with moderate carbonation that adds some spritz to this brew's silky smooth mouthfeel; solid drinkability.

Final Grade: 3.79, a B+. I was wary going into Flying Monkeys' Scratch 'N Sniff: the idea of a "strawberries & cream" IPA is not inherently appealing to me. Fortunately, they didn't overdo it, allowing the base IPA to shine through as well as could be hoped. You could argue that this is more of a milkshake IPA, but I don't think it's milkshake-y enough to justify a style switch. Of the beers included in this mixed pack, I'd rank this #2 - ahead of the fruit punch IPA, but beneath the pomelo IPA. It's a beer I'd be willing to drink again, but honestly I'd rather just skip the fruited IPAs and stick with their Juicy Ass.

473 mL can
Served in a stemless wine glass

This beer pours a brilliant golden hue. It is topped with a mountain of beige head that leaves decent lacing.

I smell strawberries and cream, but it does not overwhelm. The base IPA comes through quite nicely.

Sweetish with strawberries and cream flavor upfront. The bitterness of the IPA cuts through it.

Medium bodied with a smooth, creamy mouthfeel

Clash of sweet and bitter

Nov 2 2025