Review - Impossibrew
Impossibrew started a trend that is here to stay, Mark Wong created Impossibrew in pursuit of something more than just non-alcoholic. With Dr Paul Chazot's help, they brought the Social Blend™ to beer and ran with it. Mark appeared on Dragons Den in 2022 but failed to secure investment, this only spurred Mark on, turning to crowdfunding and the support of the public.
The use of nootropics along with other active ingredients like CBD has exploded in popularity over the last five years and Impossibrew led the charge. The supposed benefits of relaxation and a reduction in feelings of stress are widely peer-reviewed and can be found on their website. I am not a chemist or scientist so I can only talk from my perspective regarding how the social blend affected me. What’s more important to me is how it tastes. The Social Blend is made completely redundant if the drink itself isn’t enjoyable, no one is going to drink it for the Social Blend if it’s gross.
The current offerings from Impossibrew are a Lager (6.2) and a Pale Ale (5.7). I tried both and have to say I was pretty underwhelmed. Both the Lager and Pale Ale feel very much like they were created in a lab rather than brewed like a beer with the Pale Ale having an extremely fruity nose that came off as fake and confected. The Lager faired better with a really green grassy scent and a nice sourness that invites you to taste.
On the palate, both beers tasted like cardboard and not massively like beer in a discernable way. Musty apple and herbs coming from the Lager and dry tea leaves, lime and lemon pith for the Pale Ale were the notes I wrote down when tasting. In the finish the Pale Ale fell flat, a lack of acid and the lingering flavour of paper didn’t have me grabbing at the glass for more, the Lager on the other hand was much more promising with a fantastic acidity that saved its overall score and almost cleanses your palate. Despite the odd flavours the Lager had me returning as it was refreshing which felt like some sort of Jedi mind trick.
I admire anyone who wants to shake up a market and Mark has certainly done that and many other brands owe him a debt of gratitude for forging a path to follow. Impossibrew has a massive demand and a rapidly growing customer base, I just hope they don’t lose sight of where they came from and turn into a Trojan Horse for selling a supplement drink rather than a non-alcoholic beer.
Neither of these beers are bad, the flavours are there in some places and not in others and my scores reflect that. I won’t be returning to them any time soon but I hope you try them and find out if the social blend is for you.
Regarding the social blend I felt nothing, for context, I drank the whole thing both times and was watching TV in the evening. If I was more relaxed I didn’t notice which may or may not be what you’re looking for. I do feel however that nootropics in drinks and food as is done here are a fad and a much greater benefit can be found in taking them in higher doses as part of a daily supplement.
Disclaimer: All opinions expressed are my own and are in no way intended to harm or cause harm to the business. My taste is personal to me and I hope you also take the time to try all these beers and form your own ideas. This is here solely to help guide you and give you an idea of what you may experience when drinking these products
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