Neon Raptor X Coolhead Cyberspace DIPA

Nottingham probably wasn’t the first place most people expected to produce one of the UK’s more recognisable modern craft breweries, but Neon Raptor arrived with dinosaurs, retro gaming references and extremely good beer, which turned out to be fairly convincing.

Founded in Sneinton Market in 2016, the brewery built its reputation around heavily hopped pale ales and IPAs, though the range now stretches into stouts, lagers, sours and plenty of seasonal releases. The beers tend to lean juicy, soft and modern stylistically, with lots of tropical hop character and relatively restrained bitterness underneath.

What separates Neon Raptor from plenty of breweries operating in similar territory is that the beers still feel fun without becoming gimmicky. The labels are loud, the dinosaur references relentless, but there’s proper brewing skill underneath everything. Even the hazier beers generally stay clean and balanced rather than drifting into murky fruit soup territory.

The taproom itself has become part of Nottingham’s wider independent food and drink scene too. Small, colourful and very much rooted in Sneinton’s creative atmosphere rather than polished corporate craft beer culture. Dogs, pizza and people discussing obscure Nintendo games over double IPA all feel fairly likely.

Modern UK craft beer can occasionally take itself slightly too seriously. Neon Raptor thankfully still seem aware beer is supposed to be enjoyable first.