Cotton Candy beer sounds like the craziest idea ever, but you know what? This actually works! Yes, I was also skeptic. However, Big Lake Brewery was able to create a beautiful NEIPA that had a good cotton candy kick with a nice soft, hoppy and citrus forward flavors.
This NEIPA is beautiful. I truly think this style creates one of the most visually appealing beers. It’s hazy with a complex orange to yellow color. it’s very similar to a fresh orange juice. There’s a two finger white head that fluffy with medium bubbles.
The aroma is excellent. It’s NEIPA forward with notes if citrus, hops and a slight sweetness. The nose also has a distinct cotton candy aroma which is not typical for the style. It’s subtle so don’t be fooled it’s not an artificial aroma it’s more like a complex sweetness.
The flavor is citrus forward with a bold hoppy middle. There’s a slight bitterness which rounds out the finish which is this crazy cotton candy flavor. It’s delicious and I can only describe it as the purple cotton candy flavor. It’s sweet and fills the mouth with memories of your childhood. I was taken back to those cavity inducing nights eating so much candy that my fingers would stick together.
The mouthfeel is thick and full bodied. It’s got a nice creamy NEIPA texture that has a good amount of chew.
Overall, it’s a delicious beer that’s got a bit of marketing ploy with the cotton candy, but it’s able to pull it off. So I can’t complain as it brought back some good childhood memories.