Returning to the ever reliable Northern Monk today with a beer that will make my Dad very pleased! This is their Origin gluten free IPA. While the availability of gluten free beer is becoming increasingly wider, quality flavorful gluten free options are few and far between. Thankfully, I’ve noticed a trend in breweries having a token gluten free beer and while I’d like them to offer more, my Dad will certainly not complain if the one they do offer is a cracker.

Visually, the beer looks amazing. Nice and hazy with a good carbonation producing a big white head. A great golden colour gives off a very appetising and juicy vibe. The nose of the beer is very tropical. Heavy on mango, pineapple and papaya notes. Origin lives up to the aroma and the visual with cracking flavour as well. Balanced and flavourful hop gives the perfect amount of bitterness and fruity flavours. A smooth finish with lasting flavour makes the beer incredibly drinkable. I got my Dad a can as well and in his own words “yeah, I could have a few of those”!

A quick note on the can art: I don’t like it as much as some of the artwork on previous reviews I’ve done of Northern Monk. However, I do like how the art explodes from the logo in the centre a bit like the explosion of flavour from the beer itself!

Personally I don’t like the phrase ‘it’s good for a gluten free beer’. It implies that gluten free beers are inherently of a lesser quality, when in actuallity the process to make a gluten free beer is almost identical to making a normal beer. However, because your options are so limited some beers stand above the rest. Northern Monk Origin is one of those beers. Its very well balanced, packed with flavour and goes down like a dream. It gets a slightly higher mark than perhaps I’d give a non gluten free beer simply because it gives people intolerant to gluten an amazing beer beyond your bog standard big brand lager or IPA. Northern Monk might be the most consistent brewery I’ve done reviews on so far and would love to head up to Leeds to visit one day!

Score: 9/10

Additional Information:

• Hops: Not Available
• Malt: Not Available
• IBU: 40
• ABV: 5.7%
• Gluten Free: Yes!
• Vegan: Yes!
• Purchase Price: £1.95
• Purchase Location: Morrisons