North East Beer Review

Belter is a term that is slang for something great, or very good, this is frequently used in Scotland and also popular in the North East of England where I am from. So this Juicy Belter by Brew Toon is today’s subject and does it live up to its name of being a belter. Being the first time I have tried anything from Brew Toon as it is quite difficult to get ahold of the brew south of the Scottish Border. I grab a can to try from my trip up to Scotland. So what did I think? During the course of this review I will cover the history of this brewery and beer, the pour, the taste and aroma and my verdict.

A brewery from the North East… of Scotland

Brew Toon is an independent Scottish craft brewery from Peterhead, Aberdeenshire. The brewery was founded in May 2017 and small batch brews inspired by traditional and modern brewing methods. Brew Toon operates from a historic brewing site that was once home to Hunter & Sons’ Tanfield Brewery, a connection that remains an important part of the company’s identity.

The brewery has built a reputation for bold, flavour-driven beers, often incorporating modern hop varieties, fruit additions and contemporary brewing techniques. While rooted in Scotland’s north-east, Brew Toon has expanded distribution across the UK and has become known for approachable craft beers with distinctive branding and strong local character.

Juicy Belter is one of Brew Toon’s flagship brews and is brewed with hazy, fruit forward styles in mind. The beer is 4.5% ABV and combines Amarillo and Chinook hops with pineapple, peach and mango to create a tropical fruit profile. Brew Toon describes it as a beer that combines the punchy hop character of a juicy IPA with the easy-drinking nature of a fruit punch. The recipe to Juicy Belter is displayed on the can with its ingredients being Maris Otter malts, Malted Oats, Flaked Oats, Wheat, Dextrin, BRY-97 yeast and lactose. Juicy Belter received significant recognition when it won Gold in the Best Juicy/Hazy category at the Scottish Beer Awards 2023. As of 2026, it remains part of Brew Toon’s core beer range.

A lively hazy pour

Juicy Belter pours a hazy golden to orange colour which is opaque in clarity. A bubbly white head forms which retains throughout much of the drinking experience. Thus, leaving a fine line of lacing down the glass. The carbonation is lively with a steady stream of bubbles consistently travelling up the glass. Overall, a modern and textbook hazy pour which is pronounced and juicy.

A tropical NEIPA flavour

Aroma

The aroma is bursting with tropical fruits the moment the can is cracked open. Pineapple leads which is followed by juicy mango and peach. Beneath this is a citrus edge which is most likely from the Amarillo hops. This also adds a subtle sweetness that gives this a fruit juice type aroma. The overall aroma is vibrant, fresh and inviting without being overly intense.

Taste

Juicy Belter delivers a wave of tropical fruits which predominantly pineapple, mango and peach leading. A light citrus note accompanies the tropical forward nature with a flavour of lemon and grapefruit. Mid-Palate, a smooth malt base is enhanced by oats and wheat which provides a creamy mouthfeel and adds a touch of sweetness. The finish is refreshing and juicy, with a major lingering juicy note preventing the brew becoming overly sweet. Overall, this is a refreshing and drinkable session IPA which is full of flavour.

Time for my verdict

Having waited until my trip to Scotland to try Brew Toon and I personally feel it was worth the wait. Brew Toon offered an extremely juicy brew and managed to balance the added fruits brilliantly. A really like being surprised at the depth of flavour a session IPA can offer and this brew was no exception. So was this a belter, yes it most certainly is a belter. I rate this a great 4.25 out of 5.

Where did I purchase this beer?

I bought this from Asda in Scotland

Thanks for reading my review, if you enjoyed my review you will love my review of Campervan Leith Juice.