REVIEW: Wild Heaven Near IPA

WIld Heaven (Avondale Estates, GA) Near IPA N/A

Where’d We Find It: At the brewery.

ABV: < 0.5%

Hometown: Avondale Estates, GA

Our N/ATION Review:

The song Near Wild Heaven, by REM, is basically about there being something missing in the pursuit of love, as in, it’s almost like heaven. One could argue that’s also a great metaphor for non-alcoholic beer, sometimes called a near beer, and whether you’re switching to one to end the night or as your ride or die, they are often chosen to avoid the less desirable impacts of alcohol in an otherwise loving relationship with the malty beverage. 

Wild Heaven Beer, with an OG location in Avondale Estates, Georgia, a newer location in Atlanta’s West End, and a third on the way, opened their first taproom in the eastern intown suburb in 2014. They are perhaps best known for their Emergency Drinking Beer, a Pils-style Session beer that has diversified into many unique flavors.  

The NEAR IPA is brewed with a maltose-negative yeast strain that prevents the fermentation of a normal alcoholic beer, and is made with Trident, Centennial & El Dorado hops, all of which are commonly found in IPAs that contain normal alcohol levels. Our first impressions on the pour were a light, golden color, with the same level of foaminess you’d generally expect with any type of beer they serve. First taste was juicy and hop-forward on the mouthfeel. The lemony flavors came midway through the finish for us, and gave the beer a more unique profile from many other N/A IPAs we’ve tried recently. All in all, an impressive first non-alcoholic offering from the brewery, which promises an N/A dark and a lager will be coming soon under the NEAR moniker.

As to where you can find it right now, NEAR is on draft at both current locations, as well as available in cans. No word yet on where else it’ll pop up, but hopefully coming soon to stores where Wild Heaven is already distributed.