Chicagoland NE IPAs (2018)

I had the last batch and it was fine IMO. As good as the first? Probably not, but still good. And I like to compare how tap is vs. packaged, so it'd be interesting to have from that perspective. It's nothing to go out of my way for, but it probably would've pushed me over the edge to go to Village Tap instead of Kuma's for lunch.

 

I loved the second batch of Galaxy Bowl, so did my gf who vehemently dislikes IPAs.

 

Last week, I had Mellotron right after Stack N Stabb (3 Floyds Belgian pale ale). Doing so really brought out the dominance of the Belgian yeast in these Hop Butcher beers. I feel like the first batch of Galaxy Bowl was on par with Juicy but has really fallen off since

 

Has anyone else heard about Marz doing a NEIPA?

 

They said something about it on IG a few weeks ago but I haven't heard anything since.

 

Also - 5 Rabbit has a new NE IPA. I went by there yesterday to pick up Inigo Montoya and they had it on tap. Its taproom only, so a bit tough for folks in the city. It's definitely in that style but has a ton - I mean a ton - of grapefruit in the taste.

They said they'd tap another one called Che Guavara (guava & coconut) after the first one kicked.

 

I live about a ten minute drive away. Was it pretty good? Worth a trip?

 

Ten minutes away - yeh, I would think so. It's good, not great. The grapefruit is really strong so it's kind of different, so there's some novelty there and I always appreciate trying something that's different. I don't like grapefruit generally, but in that type of beer it was good.

Also, they have Inigo Montoya on tap at the moment (though out of the hazelnut variation), and I kind of like the place. Was not planning to have a beer - but a NE IPA I didn't know about was a good early xmas present.

 

I wish Marz was able to sell their beers for cheaper

 

Yeah, no kidding. I love their stuff, but have purchased bottles maybe a total of 3 times. It's just way too expensive.

I'll definitely grab this when it's on at crown liquors or small though.

 

2016 was my first introduction into the style and I have to say cumulus has been my favorite one so far. It might even be my personal beer of the year. it has become a staple in my fridge and the 11/16 batch is still drinking fantastic to me.

 

what is it you would like to see in a NEIPA? always interesting to hear others opinions. I enjoy cumulus bc it still has a little edge to it. doesn't completely fall into that sweet with no bitterness category for me.

 

That is what I enjoyed about it as well. I'm not fan of the juice bombs.

 

I kind of forget about this one because it was so different from batch 2 and son of juice. Juice pants 3 and a few of the Mikerphone special sauces are actually my favorites of the local NE IPAs. Hoppy with the soft mouth feel, juicy but not devoid of bitterness.

 

Im with you. I still have a couple JPV3 in my fridge actually, I might have to open one tonight.

The oats are def a trade off, you get a slick sorta soft mouthfeel but they do seem to tame the bite of hops a little. probably why they are being used I guess if the goal is fruity (I hate this juicey term lol) and low to no bitterness. My issue with beers like galaxy bowl is the yeastiness of them. not so much the mouhtfeel and body but the overwhelming flavor overpowers to me. all of the hubbards caves versions I have club me with yeast too. for some reason I don't get that with the cumulus so much and I think that edge I was referring to cuts thru it with some hop bitterness.

regardless of personal preference...its a good time to be drinking beer in Chicago. we have a lot of great new options.

 

Went down to 5 Rabbit, and the first NE IPA kicked yesterday. I got to try the NE IPA with coconut and Guava. Definitely different than anything I'm used to. Coconut came in very heavy and had far more of a bitter after taste than i would have liked. But definitely uniqueand still tasty. Worth the try if you are nearby.