Neko Niko
Finback Brewery - Glendale

 

 

 

An odd duck indeed: I expected it to be very fruity, but the fruits stayed in the background as an accent and let the bitterness of the citrus hops and flavors come through first. The can states "BE FRESH+DRINK NOW: We brewed this for the Cats! Smoothie style DIPA with lactose, blackberry and blueberry, dry hopped with Mosaic and Simcoe. Brewed in collaboration with fellow cat lover Niko." I can't decide if I really like it or not; it has similar qualities as a Hudson Valley Brewery sour IPA, but this brew is more on the tart side and more in your face. It looked good, smelled alright and was very interesting to drink, but this is a coin toss for me to revisit. It does hide the 8% ABV perfectly.

 

 

Wao, Colour is between coffee and orange ? and Hazy.
Very rare colour. Aroma is not strong but kind of mix of the tropical fruits. Poured to Birrateque IPA 18OZ Glass on 8/6.(Canned date unknown. No in printed. Finback often print any date! not good!)
Fruity, like a juice. Nice hops bitterness follow. after that sweetness follow again.
Milky, creamy, silky smooth.
Specific fruit like a mango does not insist compare to "Fat Mango".
Cane sugar sweetness last long time. Said ABV 8% but not feel such high. This is great.

Description: Smoothie Double IPA finished with blueberry and blackberry, dry hopped with Mosaic and Simcoe. Full bodied, lactose smooth, fruity – what else do you want - maybe tuna! Brewed in collaboration with Niko our friend and fellow cat lover.

16oz. can into a Heady stemless snifter.

Pours like watered down carrot juice. Not a great color. I get blueberry and strawberry in the nose along with cane sugar, lactose and yogurt. Creamy. Real sweet. Beer opens lactose, vanilla, blueberry, cane sugar and citrus. Like Finback's other "smoothie" beers, this can barely be categorized as beer. Its tasty though. Juicy, sweet, creamy, smooth and almost rich. Finishes dry with an accented, almost seedy aftertaste. The body is what's best about these beers. Medium with moderate to low carbonation. Silky smooth on the palate and soft going down. Dry, sticky finish.

While this isn't quite as good as Fat Mango, it certain holds it's own in the "smoothie" IPA style. Like alcoholic fruit juice in a can!