The Big drop explorer pack.

 

Well this box was made for me to try how could the Alcohol beer Explorer resist a box called The Big Explorer box.  This box is from Big Drop and sold exclusively through Waitrose stores & Waitrose Online, it sells for the bargain price of £12.  The pack contains 8 beers from the big drop range each a different style giving you a chance to try various styles of alcohol free beer from the big drop range.

Not all the beers in here will be for everyone and not all the beers in the box are the best examples of the style they represent but for me this box is a great starting point for anyone wanting to try a variety of alcohol free beers.  Working out at £1.50 a beer it is also at a great price point.  Hopefully this box or similar will be made available across other supermarkets too.  

All the Beers except for Coba Maya which at time of writing is exclusive to the bog  are available direct from Big Drop   or from all good online alcohol free retailers.  A link to the product pages on the sober sauce website has been included with each beer.

Poolside DDH IPA.

1st up the poolside DDH IPA this beer was launched last summer as part of range and due to popular demand the beer was brought back this year and added to their core range.   It has been double dry hoped to increase the flavours.  Big drop describe it as

"The fantastic blend of US hops combine to give pineapple, citrus, pine and stone fruit aromas underpinned by a pine and herby flavour – topped off with an unapologetic slap of mango – to make this the ultimate summer thirst quencher."

The beer pours lovely and clear with no noticeable head.   On the aroma I get lots of stone fruit which gives it a very tropical style.   The mango comes across in the taste it leaves bitterness at the end. 

Available from Sober Sauce

Uptime craft lager

Next up the uptime craft lager this is one from the core range recently renamed from uptown craft lager.  The beer is described by big drop as "Easy drinking, full-flavoured but elegant. Light herbal and floral hop aromas, a hint of caramel with peppered spiciness on the palate and a touch of orange at the end."

The beer pours a lovely clear colour with lots of small bubbles.   Once again there's not much of a head.  The aroma is sweet lager.   This isn't really like what you expect from a lager it has quite a fruity taste and noticeable orange.   The beer is however very lacking in body and the taste is quite subtle, would be nice if it was a bit more noticeable.

Available From Sober Sauce

Paradiso Citra IPA

Next up the Paradiso Citra another core range beer.   This is also available on tap at brewhouse and kitchen venues.  

Big drop describe the beer as "Alcohol-free IPA. This IPA radiates citrus fruit from the moment you pour it to the second you finish that last sip with a satisfied sigh. The bright, sharp twist of bitterness on the end makes you want to dive back in for one more. " 

The beer once again is very clear with small bubbles and not much of a head.  The aroma is very fruity I get a bit of stone fruits.   There's a nice fruity taste with a slight noticeable bitterness but not much.   The beer is very drinkable and I really look forward to trying it on tap. 

Available from Sober Sauce

Pine Trail ale

Next up the pine trail pale ale described by big drop as "Alcohol-free Pale Ale. A delight for the senses, this beer delivers on all levels. Rosy floral aromas are immediate as you pour, with a light and limey citrus bite on the palate and a balanced but obvious bitterness to finish.".

Another very clear beer with lots of bubbles to begin with but these disperse quickly.  Once again no noticeable head.  The aroma is light sort of like the kind of aromas you get in a forest.  The taste has lots of citrus coming through I even detect a little orange.  There is also a noticeable bitterness to finish but not as much as I have noticed in other alcohol free pales.  

Available from Sober Sauce

Double strike sour

Next up a bit of a change in style to a sour.   Not one of my favourite types of beer but that's the food thing about the explorer box there's something in there for everyone.   Big drop describe this as "A tastebud-tickling Sour with a clean white grape aroma, hints of fresh white bread and almost lemon curd-like sourness. A great gateway into the world of sour beers, and, with its mouthwatering properties — an excellent aperitif." 

It once again pours with a nice clear colour and no noticeable head.  The aroma for me is a bit strange I get what I can only describe as salt and vinegar crisps.   I don't notice much sourness in the taste but it is a little dry.  For me it tastes a bit like the pastry on a fresh apple pie.   There is a slight taste of grapes as well. It's quite a refreshing drink but not really what I look for in a beer. 

Available from Sober Sauce

Coba maya cerveza

Next up is the coba maya Cerveza this one is new to the big drop range and at the moment I believe only available in the Big Explorers box. 

Big drop describe this as "A crisp clean lawnmower style lager that pours the colour of straw in the sunlight.   A balanced malt punch on the palate, with a gentle spicy, and herbal aroma of German Noble hops" 

As described it pours very clear and golden in colour it has the distinct lager aroma with slight sweetness coming across.  The taste is slightly disappointing you get a bit of the lager coming through but quite subtle and it's a taste's a bit creamy which hides the taste. 

Woodcutter Brown Ale

The first of the 2 darker beers from the pack the Woodcutter Brown Ale.   This is described by big drop as "This beautiful brown ale is malt-focused with a toasty aroma and soft grassy notes because of the light use of hops. The palate is malty with a touch of fruit and caramel. Pair this beer with something hearty like a good beef stew." 

It pours a lovely dark colour with slightly redish tones.  Has a nice looking head although this disperses quite quickly.   On the nose get slightly woody aromas.  The taste is nice malty ale that would go well in a traditional pub in front of the fire.   I'd prefer a slightly stronger flavour but it's a good example of the style and for the price and excellent option to try. 

Available From Sober Sauce

Galactic milk stout

Finally the galactic milk stout.  I am a big fan of stouts and is great to see this in the box.   

Big drop describe it as "Alcohol-free Stout. Forget the notion this is a beer style that has had its day. Instead, think of it as honeycomb covered in chocolate, because that’s exactly what it tastes like: rich, unctuous and an absolutely decadent treat of a beer."

As expected with a stout this pours black in colour with a frothy brown head.   On the nose you get coffee aromas.   The taste is coffee as well with a slightly sweet finish which I think comes from the lactose used.  There is then a roasted finish. I don't get any of the chocolate or honeycomb from big drops description.   As with a lot of Alcohol free stouts this one is a bit lacking in body but despite this it is a very enjoyable drink and a great starting point for people wanting to try AF stouts. 

Available From Sober Sauce