Tank Petrol V3 (Faith in Futures) Review - Northern Monk

Northern Monk don’t usually mess about with beers that already sell well in supermarkets. 

Most brewers don’t. If it isn’t broken, you leave it alone and bank the repeat sales. 

That’s what makes TankPetrol different. Instead of quietly tweaking things behind the scenes, Northern Monk have released three clearly defined versions of the same supermarket IPA in fairly quick succession, each one nudging the beer forward rather than playing it safe.

That’s what makes TankPetrol interesting.

We’ve now had V1, V2, and V3, released across three different years, with the ABV creeping up rather than down and the flavour becoming more confident each time. Enough has changed here to treat them as separate beers rather than minor tweaks.

I reviewed V1 back in March 2023 shortly after it hit the sheles in Tescos. V2 followed in about April 2024, and I have just reviewed the TankPetrol V3 on my YouTube channel. When I look back on Untappd, it seems like I have scored them all differently too, and V3, for me, is where this beer finally clicks.

TankPetrol V1 (6% ABV) – Reviewed March 2023

The first version arrived as a solid, no-nonsense hazy supermarket IPA.

Soft citrus, a bit of peach, some orange peel, and a gentle bitterness that didn’t overstay its welcome. It was clean, drinkable, and clearly aimed at the supermarket shelf rather than the taproom hype train.

What it didn’t have was much edge.  V1 felt safe. Nicely made, well balanced, but slightly restrained. You could enjoy it without thinking too hard, but it didn’t linger in the memory once the can was empty.

That’s not a bad thing. It’s just not a standout.

My score at the time: 7.5/10

A good beer. Easy to recommend. Just missing a bit of personality.

TankPetrol V2 (6.5% ABV) – Reviewed April 2024

This is where things started to shift.

The bump to 6.5% wasn’t about chasing strength for the sake of it (at least I didn't take it like that!). That extra half percent gave the hops more room to breathe and the body a little more weight, and the beer needed it.

Straight away, V2 felt juicier.

Noticeably more orange and more stone fruit. A softer mouthfeel. The bitterness was still controlled, but the mid-palate had more going on and the finish felt rounder and more confident.

This was no longer just a decent supermarket IPA. It felt closer to what Northern Monk do best when they’re aiming for drinkability without dullness.

My score: 8/10

A small step up in score, but a big one in the way the beer felt. Still accessible, still easy-going, but with enough flavour to make you reach for another can.

TankPetrol V3 (6.5% ABV) – Reviewed January 2026

On paper, V3 doesn’t look like a big change - it has the same ABV, same broad style, same supermarket positioning.

In the glass, though, it’s the most interesting version yet.

The fruit character is more layered this time. Alongside the familiar citrus and soft tropical notes, I’m getting a distinct passionfruit edge, not loud or sugary, but ripe and slightly tangy.

There’s also a lovely tea-like note running through the middle of the beer. Slightly green and tannic, gently drying, and quietly clever. It adds structure and complexity to the beer, stopping the juiciness from tipping into sweetness.

That tea note is what elevates V3 for me. It makes the beer feel considered rather than just juicy for the sake of it, it suddenly feels a little more modern and "craft".

The bitterness remains gentle, but it’s more purposeful now. The finish is cleaner, a touch drier, and more satisfying overall, with a long citrus finsh.

My score: 8.5/10

A little up on score on the V2, TankPetrol V3 isn’t just juicier. It’s more rounded. More grown up!

Why Three Versions Matter

Most supermarket beers don’t get this level of attention once they’re listed.

If anything, recipes usually drift the other way. Less alcohol. Softer bitterness. Fewer hops. Anything to protect margin (or improve margin) and appeal to the widest possible audience (yes ... dumbed down beers).

TankPetrol has gone in the opposite direction.

Northern Monk have clearly looked at how people are drinking this beer and chosen to refine it rather than dilute it. Each version feels more confident than the last, not louder, not boozier, just better tuned.

That’s unusual. And it deserves credit, hence why I decided to write this blog post all about it.

Where TankPetrol Sits Now

At 6.5%, this is firmly an IPA, not a DIPA, and it doesn’t pretend to be anything else.

It’s a supermarket IPA done properly, plenty of flavour, no harsh alcohol, no gimmicks (thanks for that Northern Monk). Just a well-judged balance between juice, bitterness, and drinkability.

V3, in particular, feels like the version Northern Monk were aiming for all along.

Wrapping Up

If you tried TankPetrol early on and moved on, it’s worth giving it another go.  V1 laid the groundwork. V2 showed what it could be. V3 shows what it should be, I think you'll find this a very different beer now.

This is the kind of supermarket beer that rewards a second look. Not because it’s flashy or hyped, or because its only £3.75 (which I personally think is a bargain for this beer), but because it’s quietly improved while most beers stand still. Next time you’re doing the weekly shop, this one deserves a place in the basket.