NE IPAs in Michigan?

Given the large amount of hops required I would imagine developing the product could be costly if it takes significant time to "dial in" a recipe.

Speaking of the scarcity of this style in the western part of the state (GR, Holland, Grand Haven), I picked up a 6pk of Grand Armory's Wheezin' the Juice yesterday. Its a pretty solid IPA with light juiciness, subdued bitterness, and a dry finish. While its not a hazy juice bomb like M-43, it is a well done beer, crushable, and one I could actually drink a few of without issue.

I'll add that it doesn't really fit the bill of a NE style in the vein of Treehouse or Trillium, still a nice beer.

 

I recall founders had a pub only beer that was supposed to be a NE style, but from what I had heard from a friend, that it wasn't that good.

I can see the opposite being true for the smaller vs larger brewery point. Where as a smaller brewery has to devote a large portion of their space, resources, time, money to produce one and develop one (the first batches of 43 were still being developed as we bought them, glad they kept going) and hope they get a hit. A large brewery would be able to brew, test, dump, reformulate, etc if they needed to without it affecting them as much.

 

Indeed, it was neither good nor NE style.

But I do agree, running small batches for R&D or pub only consumption certainly isn't as much of a gamble for a place like Founders as it would be for a smaller operation like Old Nation or Ellison. I think the issue with a larger brewery producing a beer like this is the limited shelf (see Red's Rye IPA) and the reality that it would never be something they could package and distribute with a reasonable assurances that it maintain its quality for the consumer.

 

Exactly. If they ran a full batch how fast would they have to sell it? And after establishing that it is a juice bomb of an IPA? Maybe a pub only release, which has its own logistics.

Also founders doesn't produce a 16 oz can, right? Which is pretty much required. At least bells can cover that. Seems like they'd have to tap room release it to get the hype up then move to cans.

After writing that it made me think of red cedar spirits here in Lansing. They have a huge distillery and produce their own spirits. But they are also a test distiller for major brands. They have the ability to run small so the big boys come here and run small batches before they upscale it. Not exalt my related but had me thinking about them.

 

Maybe not exactly on par with Old Nation or some of the other smaller breweries doing NEIPAs but what about North Peak? Stormy seems like a pretty decent example of a larger scale operation making it happen. I've had two different batches and thought both were very solid. Even a month in it still held up okay.

 

I thought they did really well considering nothing from them has ever "peaked" my interest. And yes, it did hold up well. If I recall, North Peak utilizes a special bottling process that reduces oxidation.

 

No one probably cares much about my opinion, and this may belong in a review, but had M43 tonight for first time and my response is a resounding "meh". Over carbed, fell off considerably on the backend, totally muted hop profile. Maybe the style but I don't think so? Had Transient JIL and obligatory lately which were solid. It did improve as it warmed up a bit and would still be interested in trying again.

On another note, how the fuck do you charge $7.50 for a 10-12oz pour of an IPA? That's what it's going for in Ann Arbor.

 

To each their own. Drink what you like. Respect beer.

 

Well, the lack of lingering bitterness seems to fit well with the style, as does the lack of overall hoppy bitterness.

 

Because I am guessing you went to Hopcat...

I paid $3 for a 20oz mug of it on Monday #LocationLocationLocation

 

Public service announcement: For those nearby, Old Nation started selling boxer & m43 cans @ 3:30 and no line.

 

I've had M43 and Wheezin the Juice in the last week. Definitely preferred M43, but both were pretty good.

 

Yeah sucks when you have to work that day.....

 

Doesn't help with the electron or somewhat for 43, but Some local places within 10 min had 43 in stock right then too. And they had 100+ cases of boxer at 8 last night.

 

Grabbed a case of Boxer around 3:00 today. A few others grabbed a bunch of (4) packs. They were out of the 43 unfortunately... forced myself to stay for a glass on draft.

 

Man, was just at Gravity in GR and Boxer was the next keg to tap, but it didn't happen while I was there. I even tried stalling, but alas it wasn't enough.

 

Really surprised a 1 case limit of boxer lasted so long after a 1/2 case limit of M43 has been selling out so fast.

Hopefully this is good sign for folks interested in picking up 4 packs locally.

 

Boxer isn't half as good as M43. Now we wait for Greenstone....

 

Not sure about that ratio, but I definitely agree that M-43 is better than Boxer.

 

Had both M-43 and Boxer tonight at Old Nation. Sounds like I'm in the minority, but I preferred Boxer and left with a 4-pack. I guess I prefer a little bitterness, but both were excellent and a full step above anything else I've had in the NEIPA style.