Brewer’s Perspective: West Coast Haze

Scorn is fire as well. I dont get juice from tunnel of trees though.

 

I think the key difference between the Brut IPA and the beer we are talking about here (whatever you want to call it) is that no one asked for the Brut IPA. I felt like the industry was pushing the concept of a Brut IPA rather than it being an organic, natural outgrowth. I think there are many of us who like aspects of the NE IPA but complain about the lack of any bitterness or semblance of balance. These beers have always been available, at least where I'm from, but perhaps the newer round of craft beer enthusiasts who came in during the NE IPA craze are starting to branch out. Maybe if we are lucky the IPA is again broadening out across the spectrum of IPA's and it won't all be hazy hop bombs that are only distinguishable by which hops are on the label or whether its the DDH version or DDDHHHH version (or DDH, very DDH, or very DDDHHH as the case may be). Don't get me wrong, I love NE IPA's but it would be nice if we are getting back to more variety, even if that variety is still only IPA's.

 

It seems to me that the craft beer industry is looking to 'create' the next new, big thing. They see that a 'vocal' portion of the craft beer geek segment of the market is in constant search of something new (e.g., the tickers) and they feel like they need to service this desire to remain relevant/buzz worthy. For a period of time this was the Brut IPA thing but in my experience most breweries did not know how to properly execute on this style so it never became to next big thing.

What will be the next new, big thing? I have seen several of my local breweries start to produce hard seltzers and hard teas and I sincerely hope that craft beer folks will not financially support this stuff.

Cheers!