BEER REVIEW: 408

BREWER: Pretty Decent Beer Co, East London, England

STYLE: Sour

ABV: 5.5%

VESSEL: 440ml tin

DATE OF POST: 1st August 2025

 

JYMI SAY’S…

I do try to vary where I source the beers I offer up for testing. Whenever I’m away from home, I make a point of grabbing something I wouldn’t be able to find back in my usual haunts. And if I happen to pass a random bottle shop on more local travels, I’ll pop in, time permitting, of course.

But this one? This one came about the old-fashioned way, just me, staring into the fridges of my most local craft beer shop, wondering what to pick. After several hours of deliberation (seven walks up and down the fridges and a lengthy internal debate), I landed on It’s the Hope That Gets You. Why?

• RISKY NAME
• DOG LOOKING AT ME ALL CUTE LIKE
• IT’S AN ALPHONSO MANGO SOUR, FFS

Let’s talk about that name, for both the beer and the brewery. When you go with something so cheeky and self-aware, you’re kind of putting it all on the line, aren’t you? It’s the Hope That Gets You is basically pre-apologising for being a letdown. Which perversely made me quite excited. I thought, surely… surely… they’re setting the bar low just to smash through it, right? Plus, it’s an Alphonso Mango Sour FFS!

Packaging wise, I’ve got to admit, the pup on the label did a number on me. “It’s okay, boy,” I said (silently, to the can), “we’ll go for a nice long walk and come back for a refreshing sour.”
What kind of sour, Jymi?
An Alphonso Mango Sour matey!
In that case—LET’S GO!

But I’m sorry to report, to all bonobos, canines, and sour lovers alike—that this brew didn’t quite deliver.

It’s too sweet. Not nearly tart enough to provide the balance a good sour needs. There’s a strong mango presence, which is lovely upfront, but it’s joined by a hit of vanilla that pushes the sweetness even further. The swallow tries to fire off a little sour burst to pull things together, but it just doesn’t land.

In the end, and perhaps fittingly given the name, this one didn’t cut the mustard. The promise was there, but the execution…

Well, it’s the hope that gets you, isn’t it?

Jymi’s Rating: 52%

 

SAMMY SAY’S…

It’s the Hope That Gets You arrives with all the charm and visual punch of something you want to root for. The packaging wins you over instantly—budget-conscious but clever, with a green label and a dog that feels like it’s eyeing you for approval. You pour it into the glass and it looks like liquid sunshine, straight mango juice. The anticipation builds fast.

The nose hits first, and it’s glorious. Mango, bold and unapologetic, leaps out and sets the stakes high. You sip—and things quieten down. There’s a nice mouthfeel, some pleasant drinking moments, and even a whisper of sour trying to add complexity. But it never quite hits full volume. It’s like someone turned the treble up and forgot the bass: nice notes, but thin in places.

What follows is a beer that’s smooth and drinkable but slightly frustrating. It’s as if all the ingredients are shy, holding back when you want them to take centre stage. The mango in the taste plays second fiddle to its aromatic promise. The sour character? Barely present and not at all punchy. You’re sipping something that teases greatness, but lands closer to diluted mango juice.

The name flirts with cleverness but doesn’t quite seal the deal. “It’s the Hope That Gets You” sounds philosophical, almost mournful—but given the flavour profile, “It’s the Hop That Gets You” would’ve nailed the pun, added wit, and better aligned with the mango-forward theme.

Still, there’s undeniable charm. A beer full of potential that keeps you sipping just in case the magic kicks in. It doesn’t quite—but you admire it for trying. Hope, after all, is what keeps you coming back to the glass.

Sammy’s Rating: 58%

 

MUSE ON BOOZE RATING: 55%

MOB review next weekend: TIGER by HEINEKEN

Sammy & Jymi – Musing on Booze weekly since 2017

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M O B 2025