IPAs with artificial fruit flavors should be listed on the label

Discussion in 'Beer Talk' started by GetMeAnIPA, Jan 26, 2024.

  1. GetMeAnIPA

    GetMeAnIPA Pooh-Bah (2,559) Mar 28, 2009 California
    Pooh-Bah

    Recently grabbed a mix pack of mind haze. I was grocery shopping for a camping trip and since they were in cans and fresh I picked them up. Cracked a cosmic haze today and man it’s terrible. It says imperial juicy ipa. But this beer is so loaded with artificial flavors it’s terrible. I checked the can and Untappd and no mention of artificial flavor. If IPAs are going to be loaded up with artificial fruit flavors it should say something to indicate so.
     
  2. zac16125

    zac16125 Grand Pooh-Bah (3,432) Jan 26, 2010 South Carolina
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    When I first saw this I read it as “IPAs with artificial fruit flavors should be illegal”.

    And I was gonna be like, “yeah, I agree!”
     
  3. zac16125

    zac16125 Grand Pooh-Bah (3,432) Jan 26, 2010 South Carolina
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    i’m not why or how that bolded on me, but yeah BA wanted that highlighted I guess!
     
  4. GetMeAnIPA

    GetMeAnIPA Pooh-Bah (2,559) Mar 28, 2009 California
    Pooh-Bah

    I agree! I thought the fruit flavored IPAs phased out but now it’s more popular than ever.
     
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  5. elNopalero

    elNopalero Grand Pooh-Bah (5,822) Oct 14, 2009 Michigan
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Where does it say that it’s made with artificial flavors?

    Edit:
    I agree that artificial flavorings should be listed, and in general I like knowing I can find out what is in whatever I am consuming. It looks like FW has this info on its website, and it’s all (mostly) the magic of hops you’re tasting. https://www.firestonewalker.com/beer/mind-haze-cosmic-crusher/
     
    #5 elNopalero, Jan 26, 2024
    Last edited: Jan 26, 2024
  6. Roguer

    Roguer Grand High Pooh-Bah (7,811) Mar 25, 2013 Connecticut
    Mod Team Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    I 100% agree - and further, I think it should disclose if it was made with natural fruit flavors, as well. This applies to stouts as well as IPAs.

    Reading the description on the can, "...with flavors of cinnamon and chocolate." Umm, are you giving me tasting notes? Or are you telling me that cinnamon and chocolate are in the beer? Sometimes it's clear; other times, not so much.
     
  7. GetMeAnIPA

    GetMeAnIPA Pooh-Bah (2,559) Mar 28, 2009 California
    Pooh-Bah

    I could be wrong but it tastes like juice force ipa. Over the top fruit flavor but not in a good hoppy way.

    juice force doesn’t say artificial flavor but it has it.

    https://www.voodooranger.com/beer/juice-force
     
  8. readyski

    readyski Pooh-Bah (1,557) Jun 4, 2005 California
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    What does artificial flavor actually mean in this context?
     
  9. Todd

    Todd Founder (13,518) Aug 23, 1996 Finland
    STAFF Mod Team Society Pooh-Bah

    Seconded.

    But I think we need to clarify that there are differences between:
    • blending hop varieties to achieve complex and often intense fruity flavors
    • adding whole fruit
    • using naturally-derived extracts
    • using artificial flavorings
    I point this out as I've seen a lot of people confuse what's what over the years, which I can understand given the lack of information that most brewers provide consumers and how crazy some of these flavors can be.

    As for Mind Haze Cosmic Crusher Juicy Imperial IPA (there a many beers called "Cosmic Haze," but this isn't one of them), the flavors are thanks to the hops (and fermentation, of course). And, from what I've seen, Firestone Walker always lists any additional ingredients beyond hops, malt, yeast, and water. So, in the case, if it's not listed, it's (probably) safe to assume it's not in the beer.
     
  10. ramseye4

    ramseye4 Maven (1,392) May 14, 2010 Virginia

    This already wins post of the year.

    I like the normal mind haze (I can usually find it for 9.99 for a six pack) but I’m glad I didn’t pull the trigger on the mix pack after reading what you said.

    I despise cough syrup tasting “IPAs”
     
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  11. Todd

    Todd Founder (13,518) Aug 23, 1996 Finland
    STAFF Mod Team Society Pooh-Bah

  12. MostlyNorwegian

    MostlyNorwegian Pooh-Bah (2,236) Feb 5, 2013 Illinois
    Pooh-Bah

    FSW doesn't use artificial flavors, so I'm confused already by what you are trying to say. Their list of Mind haze beers on their website CLEARLY list the hops they are using, and also each malt they use. Cosmic Crusher Mind haze which you think is loaded with fake gunk is listed as follows for its hop structure: Galaxy, Strata, Callista, Melon, Simcoe. Here's what is listed for its malt composition: 2-Row, White Wheat, Malted Oats. It promises to be "Packed with bold flavors of succulent pineapple and mango". It's also a 9.5 abv bruiser.
    That malt bill is a faint wisp of 2 row on an icy ski slope of smoothness for the hops to pour across.
     
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  13. Providence

    Providence Pooh-Bah (2,652) Feb 24, 2010 Rhode Island
    Pooh-Bah Trader

  14. GetMeAnIPA

    GetMeAnIPA Pooh-Bah (2,559) Mar 28, 2009 California
    Pooh-Bah

    I mentioned above I might be wrong. The flavor is over the top fruit. Two other beers juice force ipa and juicy money by victory don’t list list artificial or natural flavor but they have to be using them. If they are getting this fruit flavor from hops and yeast I am amazed.
     
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  15. HouseofWortship

    HouseofWortship Pooh-Bah (2,735) May 3, 2016 Illinois
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    IPA’s with fruit should be labeled for what they are- wine coolers.

    Edit: But seriously, they shouldn’t make fruited IPAs. Just treat them like Berliner Weiss and give people the option to add some woodruff syrup or other fruit syrup when ordering in the event and IPA standing on its own doesn’t move the needle.
     
  16. jmdrpi

    jmdrpi Grand High Pooh-Bah (8,989) Dec 11, 2008 Pennsylvania
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah

    It looks like Juice Force does list "Natural Flavors":
    [​IMG]
     
  17. elNopalero

    elNopalero Grand Pooh-Bah (5,822) Oct 14, 2009 Michigan
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Like I said earlier, it’s all in the magic of hops. Magic!
     
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  18. GetMeAnIPA

    GetMeAnIPA Pooh-Bah (2,559) Mar 28, 2009 California
    Pooh-Bah

    when I had the beer I was thinking there has to have some type of added flavor whether that’s artificial, natural or fruit. I don’t see anything on the label or website. It basically tasted like juice force but in a 12oz can. While I used the term artificial I should have been more clear.
     
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  19. Resistance88

    Resistance88 Grand Pooh-Bah (3,462) Apr 9, 2015 California
    Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    these over the top juicy ipas are the new MD2020s .
    I got slaughtered off 2 of the stovepipes with friends last time and had the post md2020 hangover feeeling .

    using "natural" or artificial is the same shit.

    remember when those assholes at ommegang placed some stupid object in their photo of that beer woth artificial flavors to block the word on label? they should be shot
     
  20. LesDewitt4beer

    LesDewitt4beer Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,315) Jan 25, 2021 Minnesota
    Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Agreed! Also lactose. That can be kind of a big deal with folks who have dietary restrictions.