New England Style IPA - Praise the Haze
Epic Brewing Company

 

 

 

 

 

Hazy gold with three fingers of white head. Dense lace forms as the head drops.
Smell is pungent floral hop with bready malt.
Taste is floral pungent hops with a good amount of bready malts.
Mouthfeel is medium with good carbonation. Finish is dry and balanced.
Overall a tasty and easy drinking NEIPA.

 

 

 

 

 

I have to admit, as a beer lover, I'm a little bit ashamed. Apparently, for at least the past year and half or so there's been quite a buzz brewing about these New England IPAs as the non-New England parts of the US have begun to embrace the unfiltered concept in something other than their political discourse. So I've recently learned, this style of beer exists and people on the Internet feel strangely angry about haze, orange juice, pulp, etc. I'm quite a fan, though I've only had about 3 examples of this style so far.

Praise the Haze is very flavor-forward, with a moderate hop presence that lingers on the aftertaste; that's a good thing for fans of West Coast IPAs that have grown accustomed to a little dank pine with their fruit. Unlike its Western cousins, this brew has a smooth, round body with sweet tangerine, ruby red grapefruit and overripe pineapple bottom notes, almost candy-like through the sip. After the swallow however, drinkers will be reminded that this is in fact an IPA, not some swill for cloud-chasing bros. I'm really enjoying the balance between the sweet and juicy/bitter and hoppy experience offered here. If this is candy, it's a kind of cultured candy that's tempered by some flavors for the grown-up palate.

Appearance wise, A+. It definitely looks unfiltered, and there are some traces of particulate here and there, but it's not so opaque as to be mistaken for an Orange Julius. It's a beautiful golden yellow-orange, noticeably hazy but in a tasteful way.

It's easy to forget this is 7% ABV, so caution is advised for lightweights or those who like to drink a couple on an empty stomach before dinner.

I paid $13.50 for a 6-pack of this in Oregon. I'm not sure if it's particularly difficult to craft a beer like this, but I personally feel that's a bit much. That said, for those of us who enjoy this style and have a hard time finding great examples, you could splurge on this to satisfy your curiosity and not feel too bad about yourself.

 

Less haze. More flavor. I like it.