WTF is an NEIPA?

Ahh, good. Then you understand what many on this site seem to not. (Which I think may have been part of a more general point being made by the person you responded to.)

While I don't agree with him that IBUs can not be part of a style definition, it is problematic to treat IBIs as a direct measure of perceived bitterness and then to include perceived bitterness as a component of saying what a style is or is not. (At least in the absence of any reasonable measure of perceived bitterness and when perceived bitterness can vary so widely among some indivduals.)

 

Without falling down the perceived bitterness rabbit hole, I agree. Zum Uerige Altbier is one of the most bitter beers I have had, and it doesn’t have all that much bitterness compared to Most IPAs.

I find the few NEIPAs I have had to be not to my liking, as the bitterness is so low. I also find some astringency, which I don’t like. I have not had the top rated ones, so I am still open to exploration of the style.

 

I have had a few examples that are cloying. Between the tropical hops, low bitterness, and crystal malts it can be a bit much.

 

The Univ of Maine Black Bears.