If you’re the kind of person who grabs a beer off the shelf based purely on its name, then Wacky Waving Inflatable Arm Flailing Tube Man by Full Circle Brew Co probably caught your eye instantly. And honestly? Same. But don’t be fooled into thinking this one’s all gimmick—this bold double IPA delivers way more than just a laugh.
I picked this up from my local Sainsbury’s, half-expecting it to be a decent novelty brew. What I got was a seriously good DIPA, bursting with flavour and surprisingly well-crafted for a supermarket beer. Let’s dig in.
The Story Behind the Beer
Full Circle Brew Co might sound new to the scene, but this Newcastle-based brewery has been making waves since launching in 2019. Based in Hoult’s Yard, they’ve quickly built a reputation for punchy, hop-forward beers with personality—Loopers IPA, Repeater Session, and the massively hyped Dooper DIPA, to name a few. Within just a year of opening, they were voted Best New Brewery by Beer52 and even made RateBeer’s global top 10 list of new breweries.
This beer in particular is more than just a mouthful to say—it’s a full-on pop culture reference, riffing on the infamous inflatable tube guys you see flailing around in front of car dealerships, and a wink to Family Guy’s over-the-top fictional warehouse of the same name. The name is fun, but the beer itself is serious business.
In mid-2025, this beer hit major UK supermarkets as part of Full Circle’s expansion push. It’s now available in Tesco, Asda, Morrisons, Co-op, M&S, and of course Sainsbury’s. That means more of us can get our hands on what was once a craft taproom exclusive. And let’s be honest—craft beer in supermarkets can be hit or miss. But this one? It’s a hit.
The Pour
Cracking open the can, I immediately noticed the dense, glowing golden-orange hue as I poured it into a tulip glass. It’s hazy—as you’d expect from a New England-style DIPA—but not muddy. There’s a sort of sunrise vibe to it, almost like mango nectar with a gentle haze.
The head was impressive too—thick, creamy, off-white foam that held up well and left sticky lacing down the glass as I sipped. It looks juicy. It smells juicy. It is juicy. This is the kind of beer that announces its style with confidence before you even take the first sip.
Taste and Aroma
On the nose, it’s all about the tropical fruit. I picked up strong waves of mango, pineapple, and peach, with a sweet citrus note like orange zest or lime peel lingering underneath. There’s also a slight dankness—think cut grass or a touch of pine—that gives it some edge and keeps it from being too sweet. It smells like summer in a can.
The flavour follows through brilliantly. The first sip hits you with a juicy burst of tropical fruit—mango puree, papaya, a bit of guava—and then mellows out into a soft, creamy mid-palate. You can tell there’s some oat or wheat in the grain bill, giving it that smooth, almost pillowy mouthfeel. There’s minimal bitterness upfront, but as it warms, a delicate piney bitterness creeps in just enough to balance the sweetness.
What really stood out to me was how well the alcohol is hidden. At 8% ABV, you expect some heat, but it’s smooth and dangerously drinkable. No burn. No harshness. Just a lush, well-layered DIPA that drinks more like a juicy 6.5%er.
Even the finish impressed me. It lingers in all the right ways—tropical, slightly dank, and just dry enough to invite another sip without overwhelming your palate.
Final Verdict
I’ll be honest—I didn’t expect a beer with a name this ridiculous to be this good. But Wacky Waving Inflatable Arm Flailing Tube Man has totally earned its place in my fridge. It’s bold, tropical, and super drinkable, with enough complexity to keep things interesting all the way through the glass.
Is it the best DIPA I’ve ever had? No. But for a supermarket double IPA, it’s excellent. The quality, balance, and flavour profile punch way above the price tag. And Full Circle continues to prove they’re one of the most exciting breweries in the UK craft scene.
I’m giving this one a solid 4.5 out of 5. It’s a playful beer with serious flavour chops, and I’ll definitely be grabbing it again.
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