I think this is definitely not a CG issue. I would expect an aft CG to actually reduce trim AOA. By shifting the CG aft, you "load up" the tail (or reduce the download on a tail that pushes down in level flight). By loading up the tail (or reducing download), you reduce the weight that the wing has to carry. This will in turn reduce the trim AOA.

I have flown straight and level at 20+ degrees AOA without being anywhere near stall. The attitude was stable and the aircraft was fully controllable in all 3 axes. The aircraft was also well below the AOA for maximum lift coefficient (about 34 degrees). I have flown the same aircraft straight and level beyond 40 degrees AOA. The aircraft was still stable and controllable, but you could make the case that it was stalled because it was beyond the AOA for CL max. That said, the aspect ratio was <3 which significantly increases the stall AOA. I would expect the Groovy 50 (AR about 4.5) to be uncontrollable at either 20 or 40 degrees AOA.