3 of 4 bottles

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2 Athletic Brewing

Free Wave

Beer · IPA

85/100

Tasted

Remove Athletic Brewing Free Wave

3 Bulltown Brewing

Midwest IPA

Beer · IPA

83/100

Tasted

Remove Bulltown Brewing Midwest IPA

The short version

Where they differ

No clear differences in the assessed structure or declared production facts. Check the tasting notes and evidence below for a fuller picture.

Structure, side by side

From our tastings. Each mark shows an assessed level, with the same scale for every bottle.

Sweetness

1Aftershift Zesty SessionNot yet tasted

2Free WaveDry

3Bulltown BrewingNot assessed

Body

1Aftershift Zesty SessionNot yet tasted

2Free WaveNot assessed

3Bulltown BrewingNot assessed

Look closer

The full comparison

5 fields match. Differences are marked.

Field

1 Athletic Brewing

Aftershift Zesty Session

2 Athletic Brewing

Free Wave

  • Highest score

3 Bulltown Brewing

Midwest IPA

  • Lowest price
  • Producer-documented method
Taste
Record Differs Research record Tasted Tasted
Score Differs Research record

85/100

83/100

Verdict Research record Tangerine, grapefruit, and floral hops, then juicy citrus, tropical fruit, and pine. The close dries into bitter grapefruit peel and stays there. A crisp, hop-forward nonalcoholic Midwest IPA made through producer-confirmed arrested fermentation, with pine, resin, grapefruit, and a firmly bitter finish.
Flavor Differs Research record Mandarin, Grapefruit, Hops, Citrus, Tropical, Grapefruit pith Grapefruit, Hops, Malt
Sweetness Differs Research record Dry —
Body Differs Research record — —
Likeness Research record Floral hops and citrus in the aroma, then pine and tropical fruit. The dry, bitter close is grapefruit peel, and it lingers. The likeness is that peel and the pine. The juice is the greeting. Convincing IPA depth, with assertive hop bitterness supported by malt.
Category Beer Beer Beer
Style — IPA IPA
Alcohol & production
Alcohol level <0.5% <0.5% <0.5%
Production Naturally low alcohol Naturally low alcohol Naturally low alcohol
Method Differs Undeclared Undeclared Arrested fermentation
Product facts
Origin Milford, Connecticut, and San Diego, California, United States Milford, Connecticut, and San Diego, California, United States Kalona, Iowa, United States
Price Under $20 Under $20 Under $20
Bottle size 12 fl oz (355 ml) can 12 oz cans; sold as a 6-pack 12 fl oz can
Evidence
Verification Producer documented Producer documented Producer documented
Sources 5 sources 8 sources 5 sources
Last verified 2026-10-23 2026-10-20 2026-10-22