Le Chauffeur
Brauhaus Nittenau

 

An IPA.

Pours a deep, dark amber coloration with a small, fluffy head. Smells of grainy, caramel malt and citrus hops, with notes of grapefruit, as well as a hint of pine also coming through. Taste is a great balance of grainy, caramel malt and bitter, resinous, slightly fruity and floral hops, with citrus notes of grapefruit and a hint of pine also coming through. Finishes with a medium bitterness and some grapefruit and pine lingering in the aftertaste. Smooth mouthfeel with a light/medium body and medium carbonation.

This reminded me of Kehrwieder's ü.NN, which I just had, so much that I did some research and found out that these two breweries originally developed this beer together - fascinating. While the flavor profile is indeed very similar, this one seemed just a tad more sweet and floral and not quite as bitter and resinous to me, while still retaining that certain West Coast feel though. I liked Kehrwieder's version slightly better, but this still makes for an exceptional non-alcoholic IPA that is among the best I've had and almost drinks like a real IPA.