3 / 5
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Big Drop - Leafkicker Amber Ale
Leafkicker is a collaboration between Big Drop and Square Mile, a coffee roasters based in London. So there is caffeine, as well as lactose in the recipe. The hop used, meanwhile, is Citra. It is a 0.5% ABV amber ale with an IBU of 37, is gluten free and a calorie count of 75 in the 440ml can. For the coffee specialist, the coffee used is Red Brick Seasonal Espresso Blend. The head created upon pouring is creamy and inviting. On the nose there is a whiff of vanilla as well as the expected touch of coffee. On the palate the ale has a pleasing balance of hop, coffee and sweetness. The coffee taste is certainly there in the mix, but it is not overpowering. The level of carbonation is just about rather though the mouthfeel is disappointingly thin. It has a clean, slightly dry finish. Leafkicker makes for an enjoyable drink, only really let down by that thin body.