BEER REVIEW: 382

BREWER: Vocation, West Yorkshire, England

STYLE: IPA

ABV: 6.5%

VESSEL: 330ml tin

DATE OF POST: 31st January 2025

 

SAMMY SAY’S…

I really do like Life And Death.  As a readily available, mass produced ‘craft’ beer, it does better than many of it competitors.  It achieves something unique where they fail.

This brew strikes an excellent balance between sweetness and bitterness, with a solid bitter start and finish. Notes of grapefruit and lime pop throughout, adding a bright, zesty character that keeps things interesting from the first sip to the last.

While it might not break new ground, Life After Death nails the fundamentals of a quality IPA. Exceptionally easy to drink, this beer flows smoothly and leaves you reaching for another without hesitation. Its approachable flavour profile makes it dangerously sippable.

All of this is enhanced by strong, eye-catching packaging that aligns well with the beer’s bold but balanced character.

Life After Death is a great go-to beer for any occasion. It’s versatile, satisfying, and dangerously easy to drink, making it ideal as a fridge staple. Whether you’re enjoying it solo or sharing with friends, this IPA delivers reliable quality in every sip. Just keep an eye on how many you’ve had—its easy-drinking nature, paired with a relatively high ABV, can catch you off guard if you’re not careful.

Sammy’s Rating: 81%

 

JYMI SAY’S…

I’m going to open with a statement folks. And it’s a rather large one.

In my opinion, this is the best value for money brew in the UK right now.

Is it the best? No

Is it the cheapest? No

But it is very very good indeed and is not at all expensive. In fact the tin I supped on for today’s review cost me just £1.63. Life & Death also weighs in at a fairly hefty 6.5% so you are getting some serious bang for your buck here. It’s almost the ultimate fridge filler but to label it as such almost detracts from how good this beer actually is.

Before even taking a sip you know you’re almost certainly onto a winner. The packaging is strong, the look in glass is great and the nose is SUBLIME. Putting out a tropical air for one’s hooter to hoover.

Upon sip the tropical delight continues with a fantastic explosion of stone fruit juiciness. This then develops into a medium bitter pine aftertaste and then onto a lovely almost slightly dry finish.

Some craft beer can be outrageously expensive. I fully understand why that is. But when you’re sometimes not getting much change out of £20 for 3 cans it really can be a wallet breaker.

So, when a beer of this quality comes along at such an affordable price you have to buy it… ALL.

Jymi’s Rating: 84%

 

MUSE ON BOOZE RATING: 82.5 %

MOB review next weekend: URGE TO MERGE by QUEER BREWING

Sammy & Jymi – Musing on Booze weekly since 2017

Bluesky: @museonbooze.bsky.social

museonbooze.com