North East Beer Review

This is the first week I am writing a post called Sustainable Sunday. I aim to showcase breweries and beers that aim to go the extra mile with brewing practices, sustainable initiatives and general environmentally friendly activities. Today’s review is on Fierce Beer This IPA Plants Trees Hazy IPA. The Scottish brewer Fierce frequently supports the local community and have their own sustainable initiative called Fierce for Good Foundation, I will go further into depth later in the review. In the meantime I will cover the history of this beer and brewery, the pour, the taste and aroma, and finally my verdict.

An initiative born in Aberdeen

A brewery born in Aberdeen, Fierce Beer began as a home brewing project where the founders were inspired by hoppy and flavourful US West Coast beers. Their first commercial brew took place in 2016 and they operated a small scale brewing operation in Great Western Road ,Aberdeen. Due to a reputation of ‘flavour packed beers’, an investment was made to a new facility at Kirkhill Industrial Estate in Dyce, Aberdeen.

Fierce Beer built its reputation up on the back of fruity, hoppy, dark specialty beers which differ from more standard types. Due to this they currently operate a taproom in their Dyce Brewery and two bar/taprooms in Aberdeen and Edinburgh. In recognition of their growing reputation, Fierce won Scottish Brewery of the year in 2021.

Fierce This IPA Plants Trees is a hazy IPA and one of Fierce’s purpose-driven releases for its newly established Fierce For Good Foundation. As Fierce turns 10, Fierce wanted to use their growing ambition to create a positive platform. This platform will be used to help people, communities and the environment. Fierce For Good beers will give their consumers a chance to help give back to the world by doing what they love, drinking craft beer. A percentage of Fierce For Good beers goes to the newly formed foundation and is distributed to causes such as the “local community initiatives to environmental restoration, animal protection, and social wellbeing programmes”. The beer itself is a 6.2% hazy IPA which is the first release under the Fierce For Good foundation. It is brewed using Krush, Citra and Strata hops to create a juicy tropical flavour. Every purchase of this IPA supports the Woodland Trust who have been partners with the main sellers of this IPA, Sainsburys.

A juicy unfiltered pour

This IPA Plants Tree pours a hazy yellow to golden colour which presents a juicy unfiltered appearance. A frothy white head forms which lingers throughout the drinking experience, leaving a delicate ring of lacing down the glass. This beer is naturally cloudy and slightly lively with a steady stream of bubbles present. Overall, a really well made hazy IPA which is inviting and bright.

A tropical hop led experience

Aroma

The aromatics of this sustainable brew is immediately hop forward which is primarily tropical in nature. This includes flavours of mango and pineapple. Closely this is followed by citrus zests such as orange and grapefruit. Beneath this is a floral note alongside a resinous edge. The malt bill adds a smooth and sweet background to this aroma experience. Overall, this is very aromatic with notes of tropical fruits and a major citrus zest.

Taste

On the palate, This IPA Plants Trees delivers a hop forward juicy tropical flavour such as mango and passion fruit. The citrus flavour slowly follows which adds an extra degree of vibrancy to the drink. The maltbase, a light and biscuity flavour, accompanies steady resinous taste which added a pleasant bitterness. I must say this was decently balanced and enjoyable. This finish was clean with a slight lingering tropical flavour. The mouthfeel was soft and somewhat smooth. Overall, this is a well balanced, and well made hazy IPA which was quite tasty. This is a typical hazy IPA which always does the job.

Time for my verdict

If you want a decent and accessible Hazy IPA, you can’t go far wrong with this Fierce. I have now tried a few Fierce brews and I have really enjoyed almost all of them. It is always great to know you are drinking from a decent brewery and making a difference too. With this being stocked in Sainsburys, it helps add national exposure to the cause in turn creating more buzz and funds for the Fierce for Good Foundation. I really enjoy a well crafted hazy IPA and this was certainly one of them. Hence the 4.25 out of 5 score. Cheers.

Where did I purchase this beer?

I bought this beer from Sainsbury’s.

Thanks for reading my review. If you enjoyed this review, you will love my review of another sustainable brew called Beyond Belief Brewing Fancy That!