Chicagoland NE IPAs (2018)

One of the problems is that outside of Treehouse and Trillium, HF is one of the breweries most commonly attributed to the rise of the NE style. So if we're specifically discussing TH and TM (how do people abbreviate Treehouse and Trillium?), I agree that Cumulus isn't that similar in some ways. But I can see why they call it what they do.

I'm 100% in favor of a NE IPA definition, because if I grab something that purports to be one, I want it to hit on most or all 4 of the following points:

1) Lack of bitterness (doesn't have to be completely devoid like Juice Pants)
2) Full/soft mouthfeel (ala Fresh IIPA and SS for us Chicago people)
3) Opaque appearance (doesn't actually matter, but usually indicates other qualities)
4) Juicy taste

I'm okay with something that doesn't have all 4 (although from what I can tell, the TH and TM ones do that, as does SS and to a lesser extent Fresh IIPA), but I don't think something with just 1 of the 4 should qualify (like Juice Pants, which I love, but don't see it fitting the style).

I think currently, most of the breweries around here are focused on creating "hazy" IPAs, and calling them NE-style. I don't think everyone is focusing on all 4 points yet.

And yeah, Cumulus rocks. I don't care what style it is or isn't true to, it's a winner for me.

 

I just grabbed a 4 pack of two month old Stratus, I'll let you guys know what I think of that as well (it's a DIPA and it's been refrigerated since it got to the beer shop, so I'm willing to give it a taste for the sake of science).

The fact that all these beers are flying off the shelves (check the Mikerphone thread) is proof in and of itself that we need more breweries to latch on and give us more options. I remember how desperate I was for citra-hopped beers when I first tried citra (back when it was still difficult to get a hold of); now it's awesome to see how many beers around feature the hop.

 

Nah, wish I did. If I did know, I'd probably have held off on a batch from 7/1.

 

It reminds me a bit of the bottled version of Beer Hates Astronauts. It's definitely not what I look for in an NE IPA, but I really like it taken on its own merits.

 

Interesting. Abrasive is kind of the polar opposite of an NE IPA, so that makes some sense.

For the zero people that care, 2 month old Stratus holds up damn well. Hazy with sediment, it's definitely more bitter than I'd expect from something that purports to be NE style, but it's an excellent beer.

 

I'm going out of town tonight, or I'd definitely be there for SoJ. Hoping distro comes through for me next week!

In terms of Cumulus, I think people should keep their expectations in check. I really like it, and have nothing bad to say about the beer, but I don't think it's on the same level as SS, as far as "true to style" Chicago-area NE stuff goes. It's perfectly hazy, but it's not quit as thick or opaque as SS (so it tastes a little more "conventional"). Either way, love the beer.

Not trying to be a downer, just trying to make sure everybody enjoys Cumulus for what it is. To me the big question is how well Galaxy translates to this style, since I was definitely letdown by Citra in SS batch 3 (and Citra is easily my favorite hop).