If you’re into craft beers that sound like they belong on a crazy sticker, Tropical Unicorn Session IPA might catch your eye—and yes, the name alone is a conversation starter. I picked this one up out of curiosity and the promise of a tropical vacation in a can. What I got was a session IPA that walks the line between playful fruit-forward hops and a mellow, easy-drinking vibe. But before I get into what it tastes like, let’s talk a bit about where this magical beast of a beer actually comes from—because the backstory is surprisingly layered.
The Backstory: A Scottish Brand, A Croatian Brew, A UK Audience
Despite what you might expect from the flashy branding and American-style name, Bad News Beer Company is not some hip microbrewery out of Oregon or Vermont. It’s actually a UK-based contract brewing label that doesn’t operate its own physical brewery. Instead, the brand develops recipes and works with partner brewers to produce the beer.
Tropical Unicorn, in particular, is brewed in Croatia, by the well-respected Garden Brewery in Zagreb. If you’re into European craft beer, you’ve probably heard of Garden—they’ve been making waves since 2016 and are known for quality hazy IPAs, sours, and other modern styles. This beer is brewed on behalf of Beer52, a craft beer subscription service in the UK that curates and ships beers monthly.
So while Bad News Beer Company may be listed as the brand, this IPA is very much the product of Croatian brewing talent, British marketing, and UK distribution. A fun global collab, whether intentional or not.
The Pour: Hazy, Light, and Inviting
Pouring Tropical Unicorn into a glass is a satisfying experience, if only for the visuals. The beer lands in the glass a hazy golden yellow, with an almost orange juice vibe going on—definitely not clear, and not supposed to be. That cloudy appearance comes from the use of wheat and oats, which not only affect the look but also the mouthfeel. A frothy white head forms quickly and sticks around just long enough to show it means business. It leaves a bit of lacing on the glass as you sip, which is always a nice touch.
At this point, the aroma’s already starting to make an entrance—and this is where things start to get really interesting.
Taste and Aroma: Juicy Hops and a Hint of Dessert
When you take that first whiff, the beer doesn’t hold back. There’s a big hit of tropical fruit—we’re talking mango, passionfruit, pineapple, and even some subtle coconut in the background. That last note comes courtesy of Sabro hops, which are known for bringing those coconut-cream and citrus qualities into the mix. Alongside Sabro, you’ve got Citra and Simcoe, two hop varietals famous for bold fruity aromas and zesty citrus tones. If you’ve ever had a New England-style IPA, you’ll feel right at home here.
The taste mostly follows the nose. Up front, there’s a juicy mix of mango, apricot, and tangerine, followed by some grapefruit bitterness that keeps things from getting too sweet. What’s nice is the balance—it’s fruity, yes, but not a sugar bomb. The malts (barley, wheat, and flaked oats) give it a soft, slightly creamy body that makes each sip go down smooth. It’s light-bodied but not watery, and the carbonation is just enough to make it feel fresh without being fizzy.
The finish is dry and just a little resinous, leaving behind some grapefruit rind and a soft touch of coconut that lingers on the back of your tongue. There’s almost a creamsicle vibe if you pay attention—but subtle, not over the top.
My Verdict: A Session IPA That’s Fine, But Not Magic
So here’s the deal. Tropical Unicorn Session IPA is a solid, easy-drinking beer. It does what it says on the can—it delivers tropical hop flavor without the boozy punch, and the mouthfeel is smoother than you’d expect from a 4.1% beer. It’s refreshing, summery, and definitely a step above your average supermarket pale ale.
That said, it didn’t blow me away. There’s a bit of a one-note thing going on with the fruitiness. Once you get past the initial hop burst, it doesn’t evolve much on the palate. The tropical theme is fun, but it lacks depth and complexity. If you’re into big, bold IPAs or heavily layered flavor profiles, this might come off a little flat. On the other hand, if you’re just looking for a low-ABV hazy that won’t wreck your palate, this could be a good fridge staple.
For me, it’s a 3 out of 5. Worth trying once, especially if you’re into trying beers from different parts of Europe or supporting indie labels like Beer52 and The Garden Brewery. But it’s not one I’ll be chasing down again
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