The first impression of a draft beer often relies on its visual appeal. A Hazy India Pale Ale (IPA), as its name suggests, presents a cloudy appearance, unlike the clarity seen in other beer styles such as a light-bodied pilsner. This fogginess hints at a rich flavor profile, making hazy IPAs a popular choice for beer enthusiasts.
However, a Hazy IPA’s appeal extends far beyond its appearance. The hazy look is a sign of the rich and complex flavors to come. The flavor results from the carefully selected malts and hops. Less filtration during the packaging process ensures that the beer retains a lower perceived bitterness than other IPAs. The hop character is distinctly fruity, often described as “juicy,” with notes resembling ripe citrus. Sierra Nevada’s Hazy Little Thing IPA, exemplifies this, offering hints of orange and pineapple derived entirely from hops without the addition of real fruit.
While some craft beer styles might be an acquired taste, like the assertive bitterness of a West Coast IPA or the richness of an Imperial Stout, the popularity of Hazy IPA indicates its widespread appeal. Hazy IPA is a welcoming gateway into the diverse world of craft beer.
Hazy IPAs vs. Traditional IPAs: What’s the Difference?
The term India Pale Ale (IPA) has evolved to encompass a wide range of interpretations, with various substyles pushing the boundaries of alcohol content, incorporating unconventional ingredients, and experimenting with brewing processes. However, the core of an IPA lies in its ability to showcase the unique aromas and flavors derived from hops.
The origins of IPA trace back centuries, with English brewers traditionally crafting IPAs characterized by a more pronounced malt character and a subtle hop aroma and flavor. In contrast, American craft brewers have embraced hop intensity, driving the exploration of hop-forward beers. Sierra Nevada has been at the forefront of this hop exploration for decades.
In 1981, Celebration IPA reimagined winter beers by utilizing the first hops from the annual harvest to create a medley of citrus, pine, and floral flavors. Soon after, Bigfoot Barleywine emerged, and while not an IPA, its sheer hop intensity rivals most monster IPAs. For over a decade, Torpedo Extra IPA has garnered a loyal following for its explosive aroma, achieved through dry-hopping with the custom-built “Hop Torpedo,” a device that maximizes hop utilization.
More recently, experimentation within the Hazy IPA realm has involved blending newer hop varieties to evoke familiar fruit flavors such as mango, passion fruit, pineapple, and tangerine. Hazy Little Thing IPA, with its 6.7% ABV, offers a silky-smooth experience, while Summer Break, a Session Hazy IPA with an easy-drinking 4.6% ABV, is perfect for long, sunny days.
Decoding the Taste of a Hazy IPA
The taste profiles of Hazy IPAs can vary considerably. A helpful comparison is West Coast IPA vs. New England IPA, the latter being another name for Hazy IPA.
West Coast IPA vs. Hazy IPA: A Flavor Showdown
West Coast IPAs typically exhibit aromas of citrus and pine, with an emphasis on creating a clean yet assertive bitterness. Hops are added early in the kettle boil (the “hot side” of brewing) to extract their bittering qualities. While there’s sufficient malt body to balance the hops, the overall drinkability remains crisp. Sierra Nevada’s Torpedo IPA exemplifies the West Coast style.
Hazy IPAs, or New England IPAs, prioritize “cold side” hops (added during fermentation) to unleash more aroma and flavor without excessive bitterness. These fruity hop notes tend to be more tropical and “juicy” than their West Coast counterparts. Juicy Little Thing Hazy IPA exemplifies this. A signature soft and creamy mouthfeel is achieved through a careful selection of grains.
The Science Behind the Haze
The creation of Hazy IPAs involves multiple factors, including extensive dry hopping.
The use of oats and wheat, both malted and unmalted, is critical in Hazy IPA recipes. The exact makeup of proteins, beta-glucans, and diastatic power contributes to the beer’s unique characteristics. In Hazy Little Thing IPA, the grain foundation interacts with the polyphenols in large volumes of lupulin hop dust to generate a smooth and juicy haze.
The fermentation process involves chilling the fermenters at slightly higher temperatures than normal to prevent the haze from fading. The beer is then packaged without filtration to preserve all the hazy flavor straight from the tanks into the can.
Hoppiness: Subjective or Objective?
“Hoppy” can be a subjective term. Bitterness, aroma intensity, and personal preference all play a role in how one perceives a beer’s hoppiness.
The International Bitterness Units (IBU) measurement, often found on the label of craft beers, provides a general sense of hoppiness. Torpedo, a West Coast IPA with 65 IBU, reflects the hop bitterness typical of the style. However, Narwhal Imperial Stout at 60 IBU, is not inherently a hoppy beer. Hops balance out the sweetness, while malt character dominates.
Hazy Little Thing IPA, with 35 IBU, is comparable to Sierra Nevada’s classic Pale Ale (38 IBU). However, the perceived bitterness of Pale Ale is higher for most drinkers. The silky malt and juicy hops in Hazy Little Thing keep bitterness subdued.
Therefore, determining whether Hazy IPAs are less hoppy is subjective, encouraging drinkers to explore and decide for themselves.
Alcohol Content in Hazy IPAs
Despite their flavor-packed haze, Hazy IPAs do not necessarily have higher alcohol content. Brewers target various ABV (alcohol by volume) levels, ranging from easy-drinking session beers to Imperial beers.
Sierra Nevada offers Hazy IPAs across the spectrum, including Summer Break Session Hazy IPA at 4.6% ABV, Hazy Little Thing IPA at 6.7% ABV, and Cosmic Little Thing Hazy Double IPA at 8% ABV.
Non-Alcoholic Hazy IPAs: A Growing Trend
Non-alcoholic options, such as Sierra Nevada’s Trail Pass Hazy IPA, offer full craft flavor without the alcohol. This beer boasts a juicy flavor profile with Mosaic and El Dorado hops, delivering a smooth and balanced hazy experience.
Nutritional Information of Hazy IPAs
The calories in a Hazy IPA primarily come from carbohydrates and alcohol generated during brewing and fermentation. During mashing, hot water and grains combine to extract sugars that yeast consumes during fermentation to create alcohol. Some sugars remain, contributing carbs to the finished beer.
The nutritional facts of a Hazy IPA depend on recipe design, including the target alcohol content and grain fermentability. Hazy Little Thing contains 214 calories per 12-ounce can, while non-alcoholic Trail Pass Hazy IPA has 71 calories per 12-ounce can.
Finding Your Perfect Hazy IPA
Hazy IPAs offer a diverse range of flavors and characteristics, making it easy to find one to love. Explore different hops and alcohol levels to discover your favorite.
In conclusion, a Hazy IPA is more than just a beer with a cloudy appearance. It’s a carefully crafted beverage that offers a unique flavor experience. From the selection of ingredients to the brewing process, every detail contributes to the distinctive characteristics that make Hazy IPAs so popular. With a wide range of options available, there is a Hazy IPA for everyone to enjoy.
