Tasting Notes: BrewDog How to Disappear Completely
Brewery: BrewDog
Loctation: Fraserburgh, Scotland
ABV: 3.5%
Version: Bottled
Source: BrewDog.com
BrewDog are billing their How to Disappear Completely as a 'Fake-Fix Double IPA' and an 'Imperial Mild' and both are pretty good descriptions. The ABV is relatively low at 3.5% - definitely mild territory – and yet the sheer volume of hops involved in the production of the beer is decidedly IPA. Weighing in at an eye-watering, tongue-scouring 198 theoretical IBUs (International Bitterness Units) compared to 20 - 35 or so for a typical English bitter, How to Disappear Completely is an absolute hop-monster.
If you're familiar with BrewDog's own Punk IPA and Chaos Theory - and if you're not, then a) where have you been? and b) look out for them both in the Sainsbury's Summer Ale promotion next month - then you'll probably have an idea of what to expect, but even so, the end product may take you by surprise.
How to Disappear Completely certainly took my missus, Jo, by surprise; one sip earning an immediate WTF-face reaction that was pure comedy gold (sorry, love!) and I can't say I blame her. Even fore-warned, I was taken aback myself by the sheer ascerbic force of the brew. Flavour-wise it's probably best described as an acquired taste. Obviously it's extremely hoppy and incredibly sharp, but there's still just a hint of maltiness in there somewhere and it has a palate-cleansing freshness that keeps it drinkable.
Definitely one to try if you like your beers positively Saharan, or even if you just fancy trying an IPA-equivalent that won see you flat on your back and singing along with the fairies after a few bottles. I enjoyed the experience myself (good job, too, as I have another two bottles to look forward to) and I might even end up adding it to my beer-cupboard roster on a regular basis, along with Punk IPA. I've normally got a pretty definite malt-tooth, but How to Disappear Completely offers a massive contrast for those times when I feel like something a bit different.
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