The post-Christmas slouch is usually a slow period for new beers, but Brothers have kicked 2025 off with a BANG, with Nirvana, a triple hazy IPA. What better way to begin a new year of reviews!

I’ll say up front (and my musical knowledge is admittedly low) I do not get the can. It’s called Nirvana, but I’m definitely looking at the Hanson brothers … right? Am I confused? Are they confused? Did AI generate this entire beer? I just don’t know, but it doesn’t matter because this is a flatout 10% hazy that actually works, and that’s the real story here.

(Editor’s note: the answer is here.)

Hazy IPA as a style is just fundamentally difficult to scale up past 7%. The further past that barrier a brewer treads, the more treacherous the path becomes, and once the alcohol hits double digits I would honestly put the success rate at 50%.

Brothers, however, have more than pulled it off with this one.

Superlatively ripe passionfruit, pineapple and lychee burst out on the aroma, while the palate adds some mixed berries and a distinctly tutti-frutti element that’s become the hallmark of Superdelic hops. There’s absolutely no getting around the malt sweetness at that ABV, but it’s a testament to the force and balance of the hops that the flavour keeps its focus into the finish, without spilling into cloying stickiness along the way. Decadent and drinkable in equal measure.

Here’s to a new year in beer.

Brothers Beer Nirvana