Half Acre (2020)

Interesting take - I got absolutely none of the cloying sweetness in Double Dungeons that comes with HB hazies. Citrus and mango notes were definitely present for me, but other than that, it was a crisp, bitter DIPA.

 

I think you underestimate how many people are looking for exactly that. I’m sure folks around here notice how many people are complaining of lactose, sweetness, lack of drinkability. Hazy beers like the big batches from half acre are the perfect answer to that. No one can argue that half acre knows how to utilize hops, and most customers don’t give a f about “ Luxurious Mouthfeel” so what HA is doing seems pretty brilliant to me.

And to be correct about this, I think revolution has recently figured this out too. its going to be interesting to watch the OG Chicago breweries go toe to toe with the new hype breweries over the next few years while the market sorts itself out.

IMO, the big breweries have the advantage based on merit, experience, buying power, and expertise. But the obsession with buying local is going to become a huge burden as more small breweries open around big cities/suburbs. I’m always rooting for the best beer to win out, but sometimes I wonder if people honestly care about quality, or if they are more pleased visiting a mediocre brewery down the road just because it exists.

 

I assume people who don't like New England style IPA's would just prefer Half Acre's classic style more than a hybrid.

 

I fall exactly into this. I enjoy a good NEIPA, but I only prefer certain takes on the style. I much prefer HA's regular IPAs/pales to any of the hybrid ones they've done the past couple of years, and don't even bother purchasing them anymore.

 

While one of their haziest beers is also one of my favorites (Sailor's Kush), I'm definitely an "either/or" guy myself; either give me a clean, clear beer, or lean all the way into the haze; the kinda murky ones typically don't do either side justice.

 

Bodem coming in 12 oz 12 packs. Looks like brewery this next friday (1/31) then distro next. I’m glad they’re doing this. I generally prefer one or two 12s vs one 16.

 

I'm generally a 16 oz guy when it comes to non-BA beers (and some BA ones!), but I think 12 oz. is a good choice for Bodem in particular.

 

YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

 

For the people who actually like the hazy IPAs that HA puts out, Fine Time is wonderful. Tons of mango, and tropical notes, with a soft body; and the best of all, it's bitter all the way through.

HA and Maplewood are really the only hazies I drink anymore, due to both breweries letting the hops shine through, and not covering them up with sweetness. Amazing news with the Bodem cans as well, along with the build your own 4-packs at Lincoln. I'm not even sure if the latter is new or not, I just saw the tweet last night, and I'm usually at Balmoral of the two.

 

I can concur that Fine Time is great. I stopped in for a burrito & a beer on Tuesday...walked out with a 4 pack.

It's the best IPA I've ever had from Half Acre (I admittedly don't drink their beer that often, but that could be changing).

 

I do like the Hazy IPAs HA makes, however I have been slightly annoyed at buying one of their new IPAs only to find out it is a hazy. Is this the state of things now? No way to tell from the label if it will be a hazy or not? I guess I can't expect to buy any new "traditional" IPAs anymore?

Put something on the label so I know if this new beer is hazy or not. I was really in the mood for a traditional Half-Acre IPA and bought Double Dungeons blind only to find out it is hazy. Good but not what I was looking for.

 

Whenever I head over to Balmoral with intent to buy something new, I usually check Untappd beforehand. There are always people who have had it first, and it helps with knowing what to expect.

 

fair enough, while many breweries put hazy, NE, DDH, etc on the can or in the name, HA seems to be intent on not labeling their beers hazy even when they clearly are.

not sure if it's a perception issue they want to avoid, or if they want to straddle the line of making hazies without embracing/acknowledging their exploration into the style.

the only way to really tell is to see pics and read descriptions on their social media.

 

I remember back before they did any hazy beers, they specifically were telling people they weren't in a rush to do them; I think their current brand of messaging is basically their way of saying "look, we started doing hazies like everyone wanted, but we're still going to do things our way." I've often found the messages a little frustrating, especially when they don't post an image of the (poured) beer on social media, but in fairness to HA, it's not like they've every really let me down either way.

 

To be fair, they labelled Fine Time as a "Double Dry-hopped Double IPA". That doesn't specifically mean the beer will be hazy, but in today's market, DDH Double IPA usually translates to an attempt at a NE Style IPA.

I know his example was Double Dungeons, and to your point, HA generally does not label what the beer looks like on the can - I just wanted to mention the latest one-off IPA.

 

On review, perhaps I should have equated the new HA stuff closer to what's coming out of Toppling Goliath than HB. Either way, HB could become my number 1 brewery and largest money sink if that style and quality of Double Dungeons keeps up. I have to pick up some Fine TIme now because of you guys.

 

This is where Miller has it right: clear bottles, amirite!?!?

 

No no, think more ambitious: clear CANS!

 

Think bigger! Clear gravy. Again.

 

Crystal Gravy is delicious!