MN Brewer's attempts at NE IPAs

Local 756 will certainly please MN palettes. Crushable.

 

But in the realm of "NE IPAs", it falls embarrassingly short. It's got good (not great) hops and the "hazy and juicy" factor leaves a lot to be desired.

There's only one brewery doing the "NE IPAs" style right in the state and that's Disgruntled. Everyone else is still trying.

 

Maybe if you were part of the crew...

 

You clearly have not had anything from Forager.

 

There are a few bars in the cities that get kegs. Grizzlys in Plymouth, Ansaris, Butcher and the Boar and maybe one more so luckily you don't have to travel to far.

 

From scanning these two threads, it sounds like most of these MN NE IPAs have been taproom or limited release bottle offerings. Is anyone aware if any of these have been readily available in liquor stores for purchase? As a married, working man with children, my ability to chase beer is rather limited.

 

There's a few beers dubbed NE IPA around, but fall short. Blissful Ignorance from Lupulin, and East Coast from Insight are the two beers that come to mind. I believe Lupulin has a beer coming out in cans this summer that is an actual NE IPA, called Hooey.

 

My take after visiting Blackstack today without asking about their process/recipes (and years soaking up the New England scene):

755 and 756 both are both big on late/flavor hop additions. They definitely drink bigger than 6%. 755 reminds me a lot of Sip of Sunshine. Awesome beer but a little too intense to hit this mythical "NEIPA" mark.

But that's the thing, we shouldn't nitpick too much as there's plenty of variety "within style." For my money, on-draft Dreamyard is the best of the rest for easy drinking deliciousness. But I haven't had a single can from the pack (and packaging can be hard on this style).

 

Kudos! Moreover, all Black Stack beers including their New England IPA are all malt beers while other NEIPA's have adjuncts like oats etc.

 

Why do they call it a New England IPA if it's not brewed like a New England IPA?

 

Great question. Moreover, Did you know all the New England IPA's were made with adjuncts?

 

You seem to be saying "adjuncts" as if it's some sort of negative thing regarding these beers.

 

I'd suggest you look at the post by @kccoop07 two above yours.

Not every Russian Imperial Stout is brewed exactly the same way, & the same is true of virtually every other style as well (leaving aside the Reinheitsgebot).

 

Correct. John Kimmich the inventor of the New England style IPA has said, Personally, I find it a little arrogant to try and claim that we do something so different that it deserves its own category.” I have tried plenty of New England IPA's and found them to be delicious but not all are the same.