19 Oct Lakewood/Alesmith Mechanical Unicorn Hazy IPA

Lakewood/AleSmith Mechanical Unicorn Hazy IPA

Lakewood Brewing Company and AleSmith Brewing Company

Garland, TX and San Diego, CA
New England IPA
ABV: 7.0%
IBUs: Unknown
Packaging: Draft, 4 pack 12 ounce cans

Collaborations are one of the unique aspects of the craft beer industry. Sure, you can find collaborations in food, like when KFC teamed up with Cheetos to make this.

But beer is different.

We’re talking about two different breweries, often across the country (or even the ocean!), sharing ideas from regions that have little to nothing in common. The water, the ingredient availability, and even the customer demand from one brewery to another are not the same. Yet, they weave their way through all of that to invest in an idea. The result is a consumable beer that compliments their differences. 

When Lakewood Brewing first officially launched in Houston almost exactly one year ago, they brought with them an incredible milk stout, The Temptress, along with a variety of other decadent styles.

Now, they’re expanding on their already huge offering list via a collab with AleSmith Brewing called Mechanical Unicorn.

AleSmith Brewing Company, located in San Diego, CA, was founded in 1995 by Skip Virgilio and Ted Newcomb. Virgilio was the original brewmaster until Peter Zien, the only BJCP Grand Master Level 1 beer judge in San Diego County, purchased the brewery in July 2002.

In 2015, the company built a larger brewery and tasting room to expand production and seat more guests. In that same year, AleSmith also partnered with Mikkeller to change their original location into Mikkeller San Diego. While the building is no longer theirs, its reputation has only grown.

Mechanical Unicorn was first released in Lakewood’s home Dallas market at the end of June and made its way down to Houston only a few short weeks later.

Featuring Citra, Motueka, and Sabro, this hazy IPA comes at 7% and is VERY fruit-forward. 

Let’s face it. Texas summers are HOT. Even hotter than that new mixtape you keep pushing.  

During these months, we got roof shingles melting, lakes turning into deserts, and air conditioning bills larger than a Buc-ee’s parking lot. I’ve lived in Texas nearly all my life, and it’s around this time every year that I wonder if I should finally move to the North Pole.

That’s why fruity beers are on and POPPIN’ this time of year.

With a marmalade orange body, Mechanical Unicorn pours with a massive, foamy head that quickly dissipates to something more manageable along with a touch of wispy lacing.

Its aroma was accurate to the tasting notes, bursting with pineapple, coconut, cane sugar, and even a heavy banana influence.  

Got your attention, right?

Mouthfeel was smooth, though a slight carbonic finish can be experienced, especially on the first couple of sips. A hint of hop burn towards the end, with carb levels appropriate for the style.

That banana though! If you thought it was big on the nose, the flavor is even more prominent. Don’t fret though…this isn’t like drinking a hoppy hefeweizen. With a solid foundation of tropical fruit and a coconut finish, all of the flavors are well-balanced.

The unique flavor profile comes in a very quaffable medium-light body and doesn’t hold back for a shelf-stable hazy.

“Unique” is a word that neither Lakewood nor AleSmith are scared of when it comes to their beers. Mechanical Unicorn is a perfect example of that.

Available in 12 oz. 4-packs around the area, this is an even more rare unicorn that you’ll want to chase down.

Plus, I know I had you at “hazy IPA”, so jump to Lakewood’s Beer Finder and bring the action.

Beers to you, Houston! 🍻