REVIEW: Mash Gang Council Pop IPA

Mash Gang Council Pop Phantasm IPA

Where’d We Find It: Pilot Project Brewery, Chicago, Illinois

ABV: < 0.5%

Hometown: Chicago, Illinois, and also Aberdeen (U.K.) and Botany Bay (Australia)

Our N/ATION Review:

The Gang have built an almost cult-like following since their pandemic-influenced 2020 launch, having initially imported beers made from across the pond into the U.S., and they’re only getting started. With a brand that could easily be mistaken for any full alcohol label along with a groundbreaking mindset, they’ve quickly become a huge part of the movement toward NA offerings that provide the full flavor, attitude, and innovation that craft beer consumers have grown accustomed to.

Council Pop is part of Mash Gang’s new batch of U.S.-only beers, and is made through Chicago and Milwaukee-based Pilot Project Brewing. It’s described as a Phantasm IPA, named for the powder extract that is derived from Marlborough (New Zealand) Sauvignon Blanc grapes, and like most of their other beers, it’s really one of a kind. Made from Strata, Luminosa and Audacia hops, this brew has a silky smooth pour with a light golden color. It’s initial flavors are difficult to classify at first, but some notes of berry and citrus are evident, if not dominant. It also screams ‘summer IPA’ to us, particularly when a lighter style like a kolsch or blonde ale just isn’t going to provide enough hoppy taste to get the job done. All in all, this is one of the most unique near IPAs on the market made by a brewery known for that trait.

As for where you can find Council Pop in the wild, as of this writing it’s in a very limited release. Best bets are to purchase from the Mash Gang U.S. website when available, or else call your local AF bottle shop to see if they can get some for you.