By Malia Paasch
Move over hefeweizens. There’s a new hazy beer packed with flavor making an impression on craft beer drinkers: the New England IPA.
The original New England IPA (or as some call it Vermont IPA) is the Heady Topper, a beer made in 2004 by The Alchemist, a brewery in Stowe, Vermont. This beer is only sold at the brewery and is highly sought after.
The style has taken off as the newest trendy IPA with many breweries trying their hand at it. The Brewers Association just last month announced it as an official style in its 2018 style guidelines.
You can expect a more fruit-forward flavor – often referred to as juiciness – and more balance in its bitterness. Summer’s hazy afternoons are a perfect pairing, so see if you can spot some local ones on your vacations
Hazing Face
Benchtop Brewing Company
ABV: 5.5%
Appearance: Pours a golden hazy color with a white head.
Aroma: Grassy.
Taste: Hints of spruce with a touch of zesty orange peel.
Mouthfeel: Refreshing with a bitter linger.
Drinkability: A great stepping stone for getting into the haze craze.
Food pairing: Red Wood Smoke Shack BBQ.
New England IPA
Sam Adams
ABV: 6.8%
Appearance: Pours a creamy orange with golden highlights and a bright white, persistent head.
Aroma: A bit of pine with grapefruit.
Taste: Not as juicy as its smaller brewery counterparts.
Mouthfeel: Smooth and fluffy.
Drinkability: A great introduction to the style, but definitely not the juiciest.
Food pairing: Thai food.
Hazy Little Thing
Sierra Nevada Brewing Company
ABV: 6.7%
Appearance: Hazy orange with golden highlights and an ivory head.
Aroma: Tropical fruits immediately hit the nose: guava, pineapple, and mango.
Taste: Quite juicy with notes of pineapple and mango and a hint of apricot.
Mouthfeel: Refreshing clean finish.
Drinkability: Perfect for the beach (and it comes in cans).
Food pairing: Chicken wings.
Master Shredder
The Veil Brewing Company
ABV: 5.5%
Appearance: Pours a hazy straw-yellow with orange hues and an ivory head.
Aroma: Grassy with a hint of resiny sweetness.
Taste: Fruity. Tastes like pineapple with a bit of grapefruit. It also has a slightly grainy after taste.
Mouthfeel: Soft and delicate, with a dry, bitter linger.
Drinkability: The fact that this one is made with wheat contributes to the soft voluminous mouthfeel.
Food pairing: Grilled pineapple.