There are few better feelings than cracking open a fresh beer and being met with a perfect balance of crisp refreshment and bold hops. That’s exactly what I got when I poured a can of Fun House Cold IPA from Newcastle’s very own Full Circle Brew Co. This isn’t your average hazy hop bomb. Fun House takes the modern Cold IPA style and runs with it – clean, clear, citrusy, and refreshing with just enough punch to keep hop lovers happy. Let’s dive into the story behind the beer, what it looks like in the glass, how it hits your senses, and my final verdict.
The Story Behind Fun House Cold IPA
To really appreciate Fun House, it helps to understand where it comes from. Full Circle Brew Co is a young but ambitious brewery based in Newcastle upon Tyne, founded in 2018. They got serious about production in late 2019 when they opened their large-scale brewery in Hoults Yard, a creative hub in the city. They quickly earned industry respect, picking up awards like RateBeer’s Top 10 New Breweries in the World in 2020, and they’ve kept that momentum ever since.
Full Circle made their name with accessible, flavourful beers like Looper and Repeater, but they’re no strangers to experimenting with modern styles. Fun House is part of their seasonal and limited-edition range, where they push the boundaries a little more. This Cold IPA is a perfect example of that ethos – it’s playful, bold, and sharp in all the right ways. While there’s not a ton of public info about when exactly Fun House first launched, it seems to have popped up in the last year or so as part of their mission to bring something fresh to the North East beer scene.
The Cold IPA style itself is still relatively new, first showing up in the U.S. just a few years ago. Think of it as the anti-hazy IPA – it’s fermented cold, often using lager yeast or a hybrid, and brewed with adjuncts like rice or corn for a super clean finish. The result is something that drinks almost like a dry-hopped lager but still gives you all the hop character you expect from an IPA.
The Pour: Clean, Crisp, and Beautifully Clear
From the moment Fun House hits the glass, you know you’re in for something different. It pours a bright straw-gold colour, completely clear with not a trace of haze. If you’re tired of hazy IPAs that look like orange juice, this is a refreshing change of pace. The head is crisp white and fairly tight, sitting about a finger high before settling down into a thin cap that lingers just long enough to look inviting. The clarity is spot-on, which fits perfectly with the Cold IPA identity. You can easily see right through it, but it still carries a certain glow that makes it look ultra-refreshing.
Taste and Aroma: A Citrus-Led Hop Journey with a Clean Finish
Crack open the can and you’re immediately greeted with a burst of citrus – we’re talking grapefruit, orange zest, and maybe even a little pineapple. There’s also a gentle herbal quality, like fresh-cut grass or a soft pine edge, that keeps it from getting too fruity. It’s bright, it’s zesty, and it smells like something you want to drink on a warm afternoon.
Taking a sip, that aroma carries right through to the flavour. The first thing I noticed was a sharp hit of grapefruit and candied orange, followed by a subtle tropical sweetness that keeps things interesting. The body is on the lighter side – very crisp, with just the right amount of carbonation to keep it lively without going full soda pop.
Unlike many modern IPAs, Fun House doesn’t coat your mouth or leave behind that sticky sweetness. It finishes clean, dry, and a little bitter, which actually makes it really moreish. I found myself going back for another sip almost without thinking. There’s a slight resin note on the back end, which adds depth without making it harsh. If you’ve ever thought hazy IPAs were too soft or sweet, Fun House might be your gateway back into the world of West Coast–inspired hop profiles.
It’s also worth noting that, despite being full of bold hop flavour, this beer never feels unbalanced or overpowering. The bitterness is firm but not aggressive, and the malt profile is light enough to stay out of the way while still giving the hops something to stand on.
Verdict: A Solid 4 Out of 5 – Clean, Modern, and Hugely Drinkable
So where does Fun House Cold IPA land overall? For me, it’s a solid 4 out of 5. It’s not trying to blow your mind with crazy adjuncts or obscure hop combinations – it just nails what a Cold IPA should be. Clean, crisp, hoppy, and refreshing. It’s the kind of beer that doesn’t demand your full attention but absolutely rewards it if you give it. I’d happily have a few of these on a sunny afternoon, and I’d recommend it to anyone looking for something that bridges the gap between IPAs and lagers.
This beer also stands as a great example of why Full Circle Brew Co is one to watch. They’re not just churning out hazies or playing it safe with core-range IPAs. They’re exploring styles that are still evolving and doing so with confidence and quality. Fun House is a testament to that.
If you’ve never had a Cold IPA before, Fun House is a great place to start. And if you already know and love the style, this is one of the better UK examples I’ve come across. It looks sharp, smells fantastic, drinks easy, and finishes clean. Whether you’re new to craft beer or knee-deep in the hop game, this one’s worth a try.
Have you tried Fun House or any other Cold IPAs? Let me know what you think in the comments – and don’t forget to check out more beer reviews right here on the blog such as my Full Circle x Asda collaboration.
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