Founded by Masahiro Kusunose and Rumiko Suzuki, Uchu Brewery is an emerging Japanese craft brewer that has cultivated two things since its opening in 2017: First, a cult following of craft beer lovers who have come to love the duo's beers and sometimes eccentric marketing promotions. And second, its own pesticide-free hop fields, from which they harvest hand-picked hops that are used to brew their beers. 

If you’re wondering what “Uchu” means, the Kanji of the brewery’s name is “宇宙” which means “The Universe”. The brewery explains that it sees a microcosm of the universe within the soil that products the crops, and in the planet’s circle of life. Some pretty meditative stuff, aye? 

While Uchu Brewery is more commonly recognized for their exceptional hazy IPAs, it was one of their Smoothie Sours that caught my eye today on the shelf. This is the Atom Mango Smoothie Sour, which is said to be made from a trifecta of mangos, pineapple and coconut cream.  

Atom Mango Sour - Tasting Notes

Appearance: Bright yellow with a creamy, frothy texture. There's little bits of mango pulp that can be discerned through the glass as well - looking truely like a freshly blended fruit smoothie. 

Aroma: Sweet and rich notes of green mango slices  and ripe yellow mango pulp dominate at first, before a touch of yoghurt grows, reminding me of freshly made mango lassi. There's a subtle spice note of cardamom and a subtle hit of sour plum powder.

Body: Very thick, full-bodied and creamy, with a flavor profile that leans sweet, lush and intensely tropical. I get a punchy, tropical hit of mango pulp, pomelo pith and some pineapple juice that tastes remarkably like a mango pomelo sago dessert. There's also a subtle note of mango sticky rice, and a lactic yoghurt and citrus undertone that makes me feel like i'm drinking a mango and lime popsicle. 

Finish: Medium, with an apparent sweetness of mango pulp and green mango slices that fades into a note of yoghurt lassi, cardamom spice and passionfruit curd. 

Overall Thoughts:

Deliciously rich, lush and fruity! Tastes like sipping an ice cold mango smoothie on a beach! 

It's very creamy and smoothie-like in mouthfeel, but what I loved is the great mix of punchy ripe fruitiness and cream-like flavours that calls to mind so many delicious Asian tropical desserts such as the Mango Yoghurt Lassi or the Mango Pomelo Sago.

That said, I could see how this might get a little heavy and filling by the end of the can - so sip slowly! Plus, if you prefer your Sours slightly more tanginess and a touch of bitterness, you might favor something slightly less confectionary instead. Me personally? Some days, like today, I just want a dessert beer that was truly a decadent after-meal treat, and this hit the spot.

@lotusroot518