Sputnik
North Brewing Co.

Holy moly that is a surprise, so drinkable with the most pleasant finish I've ever had. Looks kike a anaemic murky hazy pale ale, impossible to tell what's coming after

On tap at the source.

Pours a hazy yellow with fine head.

Smell is fruity with notes of pine, citrus and crackers. Clean and crisp.

Taste is clean and crisp with a solid bitterness. Notes of pine, citrus and wheat dough with some spicy hints.

Mouthfeel is medium, soft and pillowy with good carbonation.

Overall, a terrific, easy to drink pale ale.

 

 

330ml can.
L: Hazy, pale orange with a thick & creamy, long-lasting head and spotty lacing.
S: Heady and overripe tropical fruit.
T: Dry and pithy. Citrus and pine. Hop oil aftertaste.
F: Medium/light body becomes a little thin. Dust dry finish.
O: The first time I tried Sputnik, I found it too dry, leafy & tannic, and rated it way down. I thought it lacked body and refreshment. But as I’ve worked my way through this 6-pack, it’s improved. I can taste more fruit and, although still bone dry, it feels more rounded. I’ve gradually improved the ratings accordingly. (NB benefits from being drunk v cold).

 

330ml can from Tesco (£1.50):
Hazy golden with a thin, foamy white lacing & some build up on the sides but it's a little patchy on the surface. It's dry & sharp on the nose with pine & citrus hops giving it quite a dank aroma; there's some mango showing too but it's not particularly strong overall. The taste has a solid hop bitterness with pine, grassy flavours & mango with touches of apricot & some lighter malts at the end but the body was a little thin, bordering on watery at times. It was moderately carbonated with a dry, dank finish but it definitely prioritised bitterness over flavour sadly.

L- Mid gold and very cloudy. Pours with 5mm white head.
S- I could smell it when I popped the ring-pull, it's very citrus, specifically grapefruit, then with a perfumed peach facet on top.
T- Violently citrus, like the sour you'd get chewing on a piece of pithy grapefruit rind.
F- Bitter, sour, dry.
O- Well I shan't be drinking this one again; it might even surprise me if I finish this one. Probably works if you like beer that tastes like a grapefruit soda+lager shandy, otherwise probably not.
Bought from a Tesco in London, £2/330ml can. PKG: 08/04/20 BBE: 08/01/21.

Canned in a crafty craft can and purchased from Mark’s and Spencer’s
Pours a hazy golden body with big thick white head
Aroma of candied peel, Turkish delight and a subtle hint of ginger
There is hat n he flavour with slight pleasant sweetness

 

 

CAN
Pitted linen over rusty orange. 3.75
Granola and dried orange rind. 3.75
Granary toast, marmalade, passion fruit, papaya, and a thread of pine. 4
Smooth, fizzy, light+, some oil. 4

Too dark and full - an APA should step lighter. A bit of Topps bubblegum that maybe shouldn’t be there, too. Bog standard for 5%, but solid enough as a dull flagship. 3.75