North East Beer Review

A trip to Spain for this beer review, this time it is Garage Beer Co Soup Rakau. This New England IPA is part of a larger series which I will explore later in the review. This is the first time I have tried Garage Beer Co and any IPA from Spain specifically. So sit back and relax and enjoy this review. I will cover the history of the brewery and beer, the pour, the taste and aroma and finally my verdict

A Barcelona craft beer pioneer

Garage Beer Co is a craft brewery and pub founded in Barcelona, Spain in 2015. Launched by Alberto Zamborlin and James Welch, this is one of the most iconic craft breweries in all of Spain. The founders met as part of a home brewing community and a shared vision for breaking into a lager dominated industry by introducing bold flavoured ales.

Their first brewpub was located in Eixample district of Barcelona, aswell as a larger facility for brewing operations on the outskirts of the Barcelona area. Garage Beer Co is well renowned internationally for its creative style of beers.

When it comes to SOUP, this probably Garage Beer Co’s most iconic beer series which utilises the hazy/New England IPA. The original SOUP IPA uses classic American hops like Citra and Mosaic to deliver intense tropical and stone-fruit character balanced with soft, creamy body typical of the NEIPA style.

Garage Beer Co SOUP Rakau is another iteration of SOUP which uses the New Zealand Rakau hop along with Citra and Mosaic combo. This carries a 7% ABV and claims to deliver a bold and aromatic experience with more depth than the regular SOUP IPA.

A classic hazy pour

When poured into the glass, a thick yellow to golden colour forms which is opaque. This looks thick and juicy in appearance. A foamy white head forms that is persistent throughout the session along with some lacing down the glass. The body of SOUP Rakau is soft and creamy.

A vibrant and juicy flavour

Aroma

The aroma which becomes immediately apparent is stone fruits, tropical fruits such as apricot, peach, passionfruit and mango. The scent is strong and ripe due to hop base such as Citra and Mosaic. The Rakau hop gives an earthy and resinous undertone which adds to the beers herby complex. Overall, the aroma presents a fruity and vibrant beer which is inviting.

Taste

On the palate, the taste mirrors the aroma bar the inclusion of a citrus edge. Juicy and fruity flavours such as passionfruit, mango and apricot is prominent. The citrus edge helps increase the freshness of this beer. Similarly, the beer is concluded with a herbal and resinous undertone which adds to the complexity. The finish of SOUP Rakau is a lasting gentle bitterness which leaves a pleasant aftertaste. Overall, SOUP Rakau is a deeply complex hazy IPA which is incredibly fruity and herbal.

Time for my verdict

Right I must be honest this beer expired in November 2025 so it wasn’t the freshest but to be honest this tasted fresh still and makes me wonder how much better this would have tasted if it was closer to its brew date. SOUP Rakau is incredibly dense in flavour which was thick, smooth and juicy especially with flavours of passionfruit and mango. The appearance of the beer was tremendous and almost looks like a smoothie. Very very delicious and packed with flavour. I rate this 4.5 out of 5 which would most likely be higher of it was fresh.

Where did I purchase this beer?

I got this beer from Rehills of Jesmond which is an immense beer shop and probably one of the best spots for craft beer in the North East. Check it out.

Thanks for reading for my beer review on SOUP Rakau. If you loved this review you will love my previous review on Garden Brewery Obala.