The down-low on Ain’t No Tang, our Sour IPA collab with the left coast legends at Green Cheek!

This review was penned by Chris Shields, our Director of Education and a Certified Cicerone.

Ain’t No Tang (7.5% | 42 IBU) is a tart collaboration with Green Cheek, our cheeky brothers from the left coast. A Sour India Pale Ale with Guava, Orange and Lactose, this brew is a limited release available in 16oz cans and on draft.

Malts: 2-Row, Pilsner, Flaked Wheat, Flaked Oats, Carafoam, Lactose

Hops: Citra, Galaxy

This beer is a collaborative effort with Green Cheek in Orange, CA. Talk about how this partnership came to be.

Ain’t No Tang was born out of old beer friendships and a long-distance love affair with fruit! Our co-founder Bryant connected with his Green Cheek pals to make this brew happen. They’re an early-stage brewery making big waves — they just snagged a bronze medal in the American-Style IPA category at GABF!

Ain’t No Tang is a Sour India Pale Ale. What’s the story behind this unique style?

Not sure it even is a style… yet. Not too many of these beers are out there, but that makes this fun. The team at Green Cheek is making some incredible beer and they know how to have a good time and not take things too seriously. We thought it would be fun to make a complex beer that’s simply drinkable.

What are the notable characteristics of this beer?

Ain’t No Tang is many things. At the core it’s an IPA with a ton of fruity aroma and some of our favorite hops. Toss in some haze from wheat and oats and a load of fruit juice, along with some lactose to really accentuate the fruit. Finally, there’s the acidity; a tart jab adds to the drinkability.

What makes you want to drink this beer?

This beer reflects the intermingling of several flavor streams. The allure of aroma from the fruit additions and the hops begs your hand to bring this beer to your lips. The slight tartness lifts you through the melange of hop flavors, perplexing your palate and daring you to jump in again for another sip.

Appearance: Yellow gold and quite hazy. Thick head of foam with solid retention. Medium carbonation.

Aroma: Fruit forward with orange rind and tropical notes dominating. Red berries and a hint of pine. Grapefruit and guava layer in with citrus oil aroma.

Taste: Fresh juice with moderate bitterness. The acidity adds crispness. Raspberry, orange, pineapple, and pine flavors mingle with minimal cracker malt flavor.

Mouthfeel: Medium/full bodied with smooth finish from the lactose. Slight alcohol warmth and acid tingle.

Overall: A big, juicy, tart IPA. A mash-up of fruit and hops with a bright acidity.

What foods would pair well with Ain’t No Tang?

Al pastor tacos jump to mind or a sharp cheddar grilled cheese.

Ideal glassware for Ain’t No Tang?

With bright fruity aroma, this beer would shine in a nice Tulip glass.