Transient Artisian Ales Mellow AF 4Pk

Transient Artisan Ales Mellow AF 4-Pack is a double New England-style IPA brewed in Bridgman, Michigan, clocking in at 8% ABV. This experimental release marks the brewery's first use of Southern Passion hops from South Africa, blended with the ever-popular Mosaic variety to deliver a tropically charged, haze-forward beer that holds a 4.1 out of 5 rating on Untappd across more than 1,200 reviews.

Quick Facts: ABV: 8%  |  Origin: Bridgman, Michigan, USA  |  Style: Double / Imperial NEIPA  |  Brewery: Transient Artisan Ales

Production & Heritage

Transient Artisan Ales operates out of 4229 Lake Street in Bridgman, Michigan, a small Southwest Michigan town near the Lake Michigan shoreline. The brewery built its reputation on modern farmhouse ales anchored in simple recipes and barrel fermentation, but Mellow AF represents the more experimental, hop-forward side of its portfolio. The hop bill pairs Mosaic — known for its blueberry, mango, and citrus character — with Southern Passion, a relatively uncommon South African variety that amplifies passion fruit and tropical stone-fruit aromatics. The result is a double IPA that hides its 8% ABV behind a soft, full-bodied mouthfeel with minimal hop astringency.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: An immediate wave of passion fruit and guava dominates the nose, followed closely by ripe mango and pineapple. A faint undercurrent of citrus rind and graham cracker sweetness rounds out the bouquet.

Taste: The entry is lush and juicy — passion fruit and peach land first, quickly joined by mango and mandarin orange across the mid-palate. Despite the generous tropical fruit, a balanced bitter citrus rind note keeps things from tipping into sweetness. The medium-thick body carries a creamy vanilla undertone that adds depth without heaviness, and the 8% ABV is remarkably well-integrated.

Finish: Moderate in length with a soft, resinous fade. Lingering grapefruit pith and tropical fruit echo gently without any harsh hop burn — a hallmark of a well-executed NEIPA at this strength.

How to Drink Mellow AF

Pour it cold into a tulip glass or standard pint to release the full aromatic payload; this beer rewards fresh, fragrant drinking. At 8% ABV, it stands best on its own rather than being diluted or overly chilled. For cocktail-adjacent experimentation: try a Beer-mosa with fresh-squeezed orange juice, where the tropical hops mirror the citrus; a Michelada riff using lime, hot sauce, and a salted rim, where the mango and passion fruit contrast the spice; or a simple Beer Float with vanilla ice cream, which plays off the beer's creamy vanilla undertone.

Best For

• Sharing at a summer backyard cookout with hop-curious friends
• Gifting to a craft beer enthusiast who hunts limited-run IPAs
• Weekend tasting sessions exploring experimental hop varieties
• Pairing alongside a spicy taco night or Southeast Asian takeout

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Mellow AF taste like? Mellow AF delivers an intensely tropical profile led by passion fruit, mango, guava, and pineapple, supported by a creamy mouthfeel and gentle citrus bitterness. Despite sitting at 8% ABV, it drinks smooth and juicy with no harsh hop bite.

How does Mellow AF compare to other double NEIPAs? Mellow AF distinguishes itself through its use of South African Southern Passion hops, which push passion fruit and guava notes further forward than many Mosaic-only double IPAs. The body is notably soft for the style, with reviewers frequently highlighting its drinkability relative to its strength.

Is Mellow AF good for sipping on its own? Absolutely — the rich tropical fruit character, creamy texture, and hidden ABV make it an engaging sipper that rewards slow, attentive drinking from a proper glass.

Where is Mellow AF made? Mellow AF is brewed by Transient Artisan Ales at their facility on Lake Street in Bridgman, Michigan, a small town in the state's southwestern corner near Lake Michigan.

What foods pair well with Mellow AF? Spicy Thai green curry benefits from the beer's tropical sweetness cutting through the heat. Fish tacos with mango salsa echo the hop-driven fruit notes. Sharp cheddar or aged Gouda provides a savory counterpoint to the juicy body. Grilled pineapple or coconut-based desserts extend the tropical theme naturally.

What sizes does Mellow AF come in? Mellow AF is available in a 4-pack format, the standard release configuration from Transient Artisan Ales for their hop-forward offerings.

Is Mellow AF worth the price? Mellow AF positions in the premium craft double IPA tier, which reflects both its higher ABV and the use of specialty Southern Passion hops sourced from South Africa. For fans of hazy, tropical-forward DIPAs who value experimental hop combinations, it represents solid value within its category.

Why Mellow AF?

What separates Mellow AF from the crowded double NEIPA field is a deliberate hop pairing you won't find in most American craft breweries. Southern Passion hops remain a rarity in the U.S., and Transient's decision to blend them with Mosaic creates a tropical intensity — especially the passion fruit and guava punch — that goes beyond typical Citra-Mosaic or Citra-Galaxy combinations dominating the style. The brewery's farmhouse roots show in the attention to drinkability: this is an 8% beer that multiple reviewers have called "dangerously crushable," a quality that speaks to careful process and restrained bittering. For drinkers who want a hazy IPA with genuine character rather than another interchangeable juice bomb, Mellow AF delivers a distinct point of view.