Hudson Haze
Hop & Barrel Brewing Company

I got a couple of cans of this beer from a mixed 12pck that I bought at Woodman's in Onalaska, Wisconsin. It poured a hazy golden with white head that is leaving some lace. The scent had bright tropical citrus fruit notes. The taste was nicely balanced and easy to drink with crisp sweet malt base with pineapple, mango, and tangerine presence. The mouthfeel was lighter in body with good carbonation. Overall it is a great beer.

Hudson Haze pours a hazy, darker copper color, with a nice sized, long lasting lacing head. Aroma is filled with earth, some dry fruit notes. Flavor is earthy, hints of biscuit, and hints of dry fruit. Good body and feel. Overall, a bigger flavored hazy, earthy, a bit more bitter as well.

12oz can regular pour into a 16oz pint glass.
L: Pours a virtually transparent/not very hazy light gold with some yeast waves cascading down. Very good carbonation, tall marble white 2.5" head with excellent retention. Very good lacing.
S: Mango, pineapple, orange, banana, coconut, light bread malt.
T: Sweet pineapple, juicy orange, bread malt, strawberries, a wave of light pine bitterness that is long lasting in the finish. It moves back and forth from hoppy to fruity.
F: This tropical Hazy IPA has a rather juicy, soft, delicate and wide pillowy mouthfeel and is medium light bodied. A very clean resulting feel.
O: Hudson Hazy has vibrant and colorful tropical hop characteristics and is fairly sweet. It is lighter in nature for it's style and truly delivers a beautiful balance of tropical, fruity ingredients. Fantastic! and easy drinking.

Appearance: Pours a rather dark, clear, brownish copper color with a mild white head. Similar to Crooked Grin in appearance. SRM of 16. (3.25)

Aroma: Huge peach, strawberry, bright orange, and pineapple. Wow it reminds me of a certain candy from when I was a kid but I can't quite pinpoint what it is. Maybe some gummy bears, fruit roll up or Gushers? Not quite sure but it's smells delicious. (4.00)

Flavor: Flavor follows the nose with more strawberry. Lots of strawberry, then peach and pineapple. Lots of cream then and finishes milky and fruity sweet. Like a strawberry smoothie. (4.00)

Feel: Medium-bodied. Strong carbonation. Feels rather creamy, but not overly so. A mild prickly bite. Juicy and not bitter. (4.00)

Compared to Sam Adams NEIPA 5/1/20: Pours a darker color with less head. Stronger aromas. Much more strawberry and peach. Creamier and fuller bodied. This is a better beer overall. Winner: Hudson Haze

Overall: Quite a delicious IPA. Not really NEIPA or hazy at all frankly. You look at this beer and it looks like sewer water. But very juicy and creamy with flavorful strawberry. Peach too. Like a fruit roll up or gummy bear for sure. Very candy-like, but not too sweet. Excellent body. This one is worth drinking. (Final Rating: 3.96)

 

Solid hazy IPA. "Hudson Haze" was one of the original beers Hop & Barrel opened their doors with and disappeared after a few months to make room for different varieties. Fortunately, the Haze is back, now in November of 2018, and is taking it's rightful place as a year-round offering.