Beer Review: Three Magnets Self Care NA Bumberbrew WC Style IPA
In the rapidly expanding world of non-alcoholic craft beer, Three Magnets Brewing Co. has thrown its hat into the ring with “Self Care NA Bumberbrew,” a West Coast-style IPA. The challenge for any non-alcoholic beer, especially an IPA, is to capture the essence of its alcoholic counterpart—the robust hop character, the satisfying bitterness, and the full mouthfeel—without the boozy kick. Let’s see how this “Bumberbrew” stacks up.
Appearance: This IPA pours a lovely, clear golden amber with a decent, fluffy white head that shows good retention and leaves some lacing as it dissipates. It looks exactly like a traditional West Coast IPA should, promising a classic experience before the first sip.
Aroma: The nose is surprisingly assertive and authentically West Coast. You’re met with strong notes of pine and resin, reminiscent of a forest walk, immediately followed by bright, zesty citrus—grapefruit peel and a hint of orange. There’s also a subtle underlying dankness that adds to its authenticity. Crucially, there are no tell-tale worty or vegetal off-notes that can sometimes plague NA beers; just clean, vibrant hop aromatics.
Taste: The taste delivers on the aromatic promise. A firm, classic West Coast bitterness immediately makes its presence known, featuring robust pine and resinous flavors. A wave of citrus beautifully balances this bitterness—bright grapefruit and a hint of tangerine. There’s a clean, dry finish that emphasizes the hop character, and a very subtle malt backbone provides just enough sweetness to prevent it from being overly harsh. It maintains a remarkable crispness that encourages another sip.
Mouthfeel: This is where many NA beers falter, but “Self Care” holds its own. It’s light to medium-bodied, leaning towards crisp and dry, which is appropriate for the style. The carbonation is lively and clean, contributing to its refreshing quality. While it doesn’t have the full, viscous body of some alcoholic IPAs, it avoids being watery, offering a satisfying and palatable texture for an NA option.
Three Magnets “Self Care NA Bumberbrew” is a standout in the non-alcoholic IPA category. It successfully captures the bold, bitter, and aromatic characteristics of a West Coast IPA without compromising on flavor or succumbing to common NA pitfalls. It’s dry, hop-forward, and remarkably refreshing, making it an excellent choice for those seeking a genuinely satisfying NA craft beer experience. Whether you’re cutting back, sober curious, or want a great-tasting, clear-headed brew, this “Bumberbrew” is a fantastic option. Highly recommended for West Coast IPA lovers.