Whilst doing some shopping I noticed some new craft beers in Asda. Bullhouse Brew Co is a new one for me and like usual I had to try the hazy IPA. Hoppy Days is exactly that in appearance and taste. Usually supermarket beers can be criticised but this one is different. During the course of this review I will tell you why, along with the history, the pour and the taste and aroma. Cheers
A Northern Irish gem
The brewery was founded by Willy Mayne who in 2011, visited Green Flash Brewery in San Diego. This provided a spark for the idea of bringing craft beer culture to Northern Ireland. Whilst Willy was grafting, an old cattleshed was slowly being converted into a brewery. The official commercial launch was in March 2016.
In 2020, Bullhouse moved into a 6000sq ft facility in South Belfast. This was due to the increasing popularity of their brews. This was followed by the taproom being opened in 2022. In 2025, Bullhouse received even more recognition by SIBA as they were named Brewery Business of the year. The Belfast based brewery recognises the importance of being community focused and strives to reflect on its farm roots whilst also encouraging innovation.
In terms of Hoppy Days, this is a 5% ABV beer which is a hazy/ new england Ipa which was exclusively released to Asda nationwide. This appears to Bullhouse’s way to enter wider retail distribution. So I would expect to see more Bullhouse in the future.
An opaque pour
When poured, Hoppy Days gives off an almost glowing straw like colour which in person glowed. I understand the lighting was shocking so it didn’t look so much glowy. The beer was opaque which almost looked like a mixture of mango and pineapple. This unfiltered look is really inviting. In terms of the head, a thick foamy had formed which quickly forms and lingers well after the first few sips. The carbonation was quite moderate to be honest.
A juicy taste and aroma
When it comes to aroma, the smell of tropical fruits was very prominent with notes of mango, passionfruit and pineapple. Afterwards, a note of grapefruit appears which adds a bitter edge. When it comes to malt, a soft biscuit note is present. This was a bright and juicy beer.
Moving onto taste, Hoppy Days very much follows on from its aroma, a very tropical fruit dominated taste from the first sip. Mid palate, a more citrus edge enters with orange and grapefruit zest. The overall malt base, keeps everything even and balanced. A slight bitterness at the end, leaves it a pleasant, crisp and dry flavour which really rounds off a great smooth beer.
Time for my verdict
As an introduction to a new brewery this one pretty smashed it. It was juicy and full of flavour. It had the right balance and avoid being just aromatics that some hazy ales fall foul of. For a supermarket beer, this was remarkably fresh and being the first beer from Northern Ireland that I have ever had, I am certainly looking for more. Overall, I will give this a great 4.25 out of 5. Imagine how good this could have been with a higher ABV.
Where did I purchase this from?
As I said earlier, I purchased Bullhouse Brew Co Hoppy Days from Asda. This was also part of the 4 for 3 craft beer deal.
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