A slightly momentous review today as it is my 100th! Since starting this little blog I have now reviewed over 100 craft beers which is quite incredible to think. Writing the reviews (as well as drinking the beers) has become a really fun and creative hobby. I haven’t really planned for anything special but to mark the occasion I thought I’d try one of the beers from the new Tesco range that also happens to be two new breweries. This is a collaboration brew between Yorkshire based Salt Beer Factory and Salford based Pomona Island. The beer they’ve created together is ‘Shoop’ a 6.4% ABV New England IPA.

The beer pours a gorgeous pale gold haze with a a large foamy head. The head actually maintains well all the way down. A real tropical explosion on the nose packed full of mango, pineapple chunks and passion fruit. Some of those tropics translate into the flavour, particularly the pineapple. Added oats also give the beer a really creamy mouthfeel and dry hopping has brought out the the flavours in the hops and giving it a lingering bitterness on the finish.

A quick note on the can art: Most of Salt’s beer use this honeycomb design. I like that for the collaboration with Pomona they’ve split the design in half and gone for a vibe from both breweries.

First up I want to say the new range available in Tesco right now is incredible. A really good selection of IPAs and Stouts from some big name craft brewers. Back to this beer however, it’s a very solid showing for my 100th beer. The visual and nose are absolutely lovely. The initial flavour punch is really juicy but the beer is described as low bitterness which I would not agree with. I actually don’t mind a dry-hopped bitter finish but for many I can imagine it being overbearing.

Score: 7.5/10

Thanks for reading! Cheers!

Additional Information:

• Hops: Vic Secret, Enigma, Motueka
• Malt: Not Available
• IBU: Not Available
• ABV: 6.4%
• Gluten Free: No
• Vegan: Yes!
• Purchase Price: £3.50
• Purchase Location: Tesco