Beer Style Guide: Get to Know Hazy IPA with Em Sauter

The newest addition to the Beer Judge Certification Program (BJCP) guidelines is one of the newest sensations sweeping the beer world: the hazy IPA also known as New England style IPA. 

In response to the bitter bombs of high IBU beers that were popular in around 2011, the hazy IPA is usually the opposite of that: lower perceived bitterness but high aroma and flavor of American, Southern Hemisphere and new fruity hops from across the globe that emphasize flavors like pineapple, passionfruit and mango. 

History of Hazy IPA

You would think that a beer that’s only been around for about ten years or so would have a defined history, but you would be wrong. Some trace its roots to The Alchemist in Stowe, VT for their Heady Topper Double IPA but when I had Heady Topper in 2011, it was always pretty clear and deep golden in color. It did have some nice juiciness and a little less bitterness than west coast versions but it wasn’t like the hazy IPAs we see today. Beers that are hazy now were not ten years ago. Look back at pictures of Hill Farmstead Edward pale ale from 2010 and 2022 to see what I mean. Beer is always evolving! 

The brewery I see as the creator of this trend is Tree House Brewing Company, who set up shop in the tiny town of Monson, MA near the Connecticut border around a decade ago. Now they rule the New England beer scene with a unique direct to consumer approach of large tasting rooms across the state of Massachusetts. Julius, their flagship New England IPA, I believe was the beer that started it all. 

Hazy IPA Tasting Notes

Julius is orange juice colored and opaque. It has an overwhelming smell of citrus as well as flavors of heavy fruit juice, grapefruit peel and tangerine. The mouthfeel is the most unique thing that sets hazy IPAs apart from American IPAs in that it's fuller thanks to the wheat and oats used in the grist. As someone who lives in New England, these beers just appeared here one day and when they did, it was all over as by 2016-2017, most beers brewed here were all hazy IPAs. Some hazy IPAs have less fullness than others but it’s that soft palate fullness that I look for. 

How Hazy IPA is Made

As I’ve mentioned, oats and wheat are usually used along with pale malts to create that hazy look. Hops are mostly added as a dry hop, meaning they are added during the end of primary fermentation in the fermentation tank. This can create “biotransformation” in hops which creates more fruit flavors in beers (for more info on biotransformation as its pretty scientific). Citra and mosaic are the two most used hops and together, they really shine in hazy IPAs. English ale yeast is most popular for this style as it creates more fruity esters than their American ale yeast counterparts. Beers that utilize lactose for an even creamier mouthfeel and sweetness are milkshake IPAs (we will get to that style later). 

Tasting Notes & Pairing

Fruitiness, be it almost any fruit, is the overwhelming flavor and aroma here. I know this is vague but it’s best to understand how each hop lends its characteristics to the hazy IPA. Websites like Hopslist are great for that. 

Since the IBUs and bitterness are lower, hazy IPAs are great with spicy dishes as the bitterness won’t amp up the heat. I really love tacos with hazy IPAs, especially ones that utilize hops like the German Hallertau Blanc which has a distinct pineapple flavor. Another star pairing is chocolate chip cookies as the bitter chocolate of the cookie melds with the orange flavor of the IPA to create a flavor reminiscent of those chocolate oranges seen around the Christmas holiday. Delicious! 

Beers to Try

Tree House Julius

Only available at Tree House’s four locations throughout Massachusetts, this beer is worth the drive. Tree House also has some other classic NEIPAs like Haze and Green that are also worth seeking out. All have that characteristic full mouthfeel and that OJ color and flavor. 

Sierra Nevada Hazy Little Thing

Now one of the most popular Sierra Nevada products, Sierra Nevada Hazy Little Thing is not so little at 6.7% ABV. This is one of the best hazy beers that’s easy to find. Made with oats, wheat and with some new school hop varieties like Citra, Mosaic and El Dorado but also some old school hops like Comet and Magnum. 

Weldwerks Juicy Bits

Colorado based Weldwerks makes a wonderful, sought after hazy IPA that, unlike Tree House, has a broad distribution across the United States. It’s a great beer and we even get it here in New England, which is a bold marketing strategy.