Large Hadron Colada – Pina Colada Pale Ale

Large Hadron Colada is a name that earns full marks for creativity — a pina colada pale ale that combines the tropical sweetness of coconut and pineapple with the hop-forward character of a modern craft pale ale. The Large Hadron Collider connection is presumably a nod to the collision of two very different flavour worlds: the fruity cocktail universe and the bitter hop universe. It’s the kind of beer name that makes you pick it up off a shelf without knowing anything else about it.

Tasting Notes

Large Hadron Colada pours a hazy pale golden colour with a white head. The nose is immediately tropical — coconut, pineapple, and citrus hop character that together do actually evoke a pina colada, which is no small achievement. On the palate the tropical fruit flavours come through clearly: coconut sweetness, pineapple fruitiness, and citrus hop character woven through a light malt base. The bitterness keeps it from becoming a dessert drink. The finish is refreshing and tropical with lingering fruit.

Verdict

Serve cold and approach with an open mind — this is a beer that rewards willingness to engage with its concept. Large Hadron Colada is a fun, well-made tropical pale ale that achieves its ambition of tasting like a pina colada without abandoning the beer format. It’s a great festival beer or a novelty that turns out to be genuinely good. The particle physics nomenclature is a bonus.