Chicagoland NE IPAs (2018)

Started with the newest batch of Cirrus by Hailstorm. I missed the last batch which was criticized but enjoyed the first offering. This was a melon juice bomb and the aroma filled the living room. To nitpick, not sure if it was slightly undercarbed but it felt a smidge flat and I wish it coated the tongue a bit more. Otherwise just great and my favorite Hailstorm cloud beer.

Next up was Hubbard's Cave V5 with Citra/Mosaic. I don't know if it's the power of suggestion knowing the Hop combo but the aroma and flavors reminded me of the classics that use them like Focal and Todd the Axe Man from 2015. It's hazy/opaque but super happy with some bitterness and bite. So closer to an alchemist NE IPA than a Mass. one. As good or better than any Hubbard's Cave beer I've had. Seek this one out for sure.

 

Sorry Sean! I almost hated to say it because of how that changes expectations but Focal's hoppiness immediately came to mind.

 

Grabbing some v5 for sure. They're also bottling a single hop mosaic tomorrow as well.

 

Nice, I grabbed two v5 last night. Turns out my wife stopped and grabbed two more. Looks like it'll be a good weekend. Do I really go and get two more? That'd be madness.

 

What's the ABV, is it a double?

 

Can anyone who has had v5 comment on the carbonation? Every Hubbards Cave IPA I've had has been under-carbonated to the point of being unpleasant.

 

No issue with carbonation for me.

8.5% abv

 

Anyone tried Bulgakhopf from Illuminated Brew Works yet?

 

you suck

 

Yup. Too much alcohol burn for me. Not juicy at all. Hard pass.

 

My dad got one at the Forbidden Root event. I only tried a little, but it seemed pretty sweet and boozy.

 

Is the new Middle Brow IPA ("Sells Out") a New England style? The name leads me to believe so...

 

Just got back from Forbidden Root.
New batch of Snoochie Boochies is incredible. Really great.
The new beer, Radio Swan, is now my new favorite NE style in Chicago, surpassing Stay Lit and Squeezit from Corridor for me, personally. It just ticks all the boxes for me that I love. Super intense dank hop aroma, very thick and creamy mouth feel. It's unreal. Highly, highly recommended. Left with a 64oz growler. Go check this one out ASAP.

 

I loved Stay Lit and Squeezit, so that is some high praise you just gave it.

 

Enjoying one now...



That was with a standard pour, not overly aggressive. The foam did recede pretty quickly. I'd call it low-moderate carbonation. That's plenty for me, but if you like a more carbonated beer, it may not be your favorite.

Overall, I'm really digging this. Big tropical fruit and peach with a fairly substantial bitterness on the back end. I would definitely seek it out again.

 

Having it now...i think if half acre made a NEIPA, this is what it would be like. Has a nail-polish type boozy alcohol bite (in a good way? Like Navaja), but the color/haze and hops are well done.

 

Heading there for the first time tomorrow, thanks mostly to this thread (and needing to get my shattered iPhone screen fixed nearby ).

Excited to give both a try. Was excited just to try Radio Swan, but now knowing that they have Snoochie Boochies too, tomorrow at work will be a long day.

 

Interesting because if that's a standard pour, it looks like heavy carbonation to me. Maybe I'm a gentle pourer, though.