The Haze Craze: A Quick Guide To NEIPAS
What is a New England IPA (NEIPA)?
The perfect beer for summer, a New England India Pale Ale (NEIPA) is a style of IPA characterised by big juicy hoppiness (without bitterness), refreshing fruity flavours (without any actual fruit), and a smooth, creamy mouthfeel.
But what you’ll notice before taking sip one, is the way it looks — cloudy and hazy, often to the point of being opaque. Might make you wonder if we accidently shipped you cans of bubbly orange juice instead of beer! Nope. That thick body is a signature of the NEIPA (and a reason this fantastic summer beer almost didn’t make it out of New England).
Read on for a quick tour of what makes a beer a New England IPA.
A little history on NEIPA
Sometime in the early aughts, a handful of brewers in the American state of Vermont (one of the six states in the northeastern part of the country, collectively known as New England) began brewing IPAs that were different from the dank but clear hop bombs American craft brewers were known for. These creative brewers used special yeasts plus grain bills with a bit higher protein, then they added hops later in the brewing process to emphasise hop flavour and aroma while toning down bitterness.
As a side effect, these new beers came out quite cloudy. Customers accustomed to relatively clear beer wondered if it wasn’t a fault in the brewing process that brought out the haze and some were reluctant to go in for this murky beer. But thanks to brewers who were confident their new beer was in no way flawed, reservations eventually disappeared, and NEIPA began showing up everywhere.
Now the haze craze has officially conquered the world. Here in Australia, NEIPA is an officially recognised category for the Australian International Beer Awards, and some of our country’s best craft brewers are creating amazing expressions of this refreshing style. We picked seven we know you’ll like — see them at the bottom of the post.
What does a NEIPA taste like?
Expect big fruit aromas and flavours. “Juicy” is a great way to describe them. New England IPAs are hoppy without being bitter, with a silky smooth, full body. They go down very easy and are endlessly refreshing. As we said — a perfect beer for summer.
How is a New England IPA made?
Three elements are at play in unique ways in a NEIPA — the grain, the yeast, and the hops. Often a higher protein grain, like wheat or oats, are included with the standard barley malt to lend a silky mouthfeel and thicker body.
The yeast strains brewers pick for NEIPAs tend to be ones that produce a lot of fruit esters (fermentation byproducts) that give the beer loads of fruity flavour without anyone ever adding a smidge of fruit.
And for that big hoppy blast, brewers go for hops with tropical, citrus, and fruit notes (Australia’s own Galaxy and Ella hops are popular choices). These are added after fermentation has begun to impart all the hop aroma and flavour without the bitterness that comes from earlier hop additions.
And why is a NEIPA hazy?
Really, a New England IPA never stood a chance of being a clear beer. Just look again at those three techniques: Wheat or oats in a grain bill? They make beer hazy. Dry hopping? Hop oils from unboiled hops make beer cloudy. And certain yeast strains (including some that produce lots of fruity esters) are happy to stay suspended in beer instead of dropping down, which only adds to the opacity.
So that juicy, cloudy, delightfully smooth NEIPA you just poured is in no way flawed — it’s exactly as hazy as it should be.
Here are SEVEN NEIPAs we recommend this summer
Big Shed Boozy Fruit NEIPA Can, 375ml Can, ABV 6.2%
This beer won the People’s Choice at GABS in Melbourne and it’s easy to see why. Big tropical fruit flavours with an incredible amber colour.
Beerfarm Royal Haze Juicy Hazy IPA, 375ml Can, ABV 5.8%
While lazing about remembering the good ol’ days of the great south west… Beerfarm has brewed a big Hazy IPA packed full of Citra, El Dorado and Mosaic hops – it’s hazy IPA at its best. Mild bitterness followed by good fruity esters boosted from a low flocculating English yeast. A cloudy and light malt base helps juice up this sessionable 5.8% Hazy IPA that has been hopped multiple times through the process.
Capital Hang Loose Juice NEIPA, 375ml Can, ABV 6.0%
Capital Brewing were stoked to pick up Best IPA at the Australian Beer Festival with their ‘Hang Loose Juice’ – Blood Orange NEIPA! This tasty froth is crammed full of blood orange juice and with the late addition of hops has resulted in a brew that tastes like a glass of freshly squeezed juice, with hints of passionfruit and pineapple, pouring slightly hazy and very golden.
Balter Hazy IPA, 375ml Can, ABV 6.0%
Fresh off being voted Australia’s No.1 New Beer in the GABS Hottest 100 HAZY is back in this refreshed 375ml can. If a weather app forecast the outlook on this beer it would say slightly cloudy with a downpour of juicy hops. Its luscious nectar showers your lips with a combination of candied orange, mango and passionfruit, followed with a refreshing breeze of bitterness beneath. Chill out, sip back and relax with a lazy Hazy.
Brick Lane Sidewinder Hazy Pale , 375ml Can, ABV 1.1%
Sidewinder Hazy Pale delivers a beautifully fresh golden haze, full body and smooth mouthfeel. Fruity esters leap from the glass with juicy tropical notes of peach, apricot, mango and lychee. Terrific low alcohol option.
Stockade Mr Fruju NEIPA, 375ml Can, ABV 6.0%
Meet Mr Fruju New England India Pale Ale, a hazy, tropical mash that’s the perfect balance of bitter and juicy. With lingering tropical notes and relatively low bitterness, Stockade Brew Co’s Mr Fruju NEIPA delivers a hazy, juicy experience that will leave your taste buds in a state of perpetual joy. Freshly squeezed like a breakfast juice, you’ll get a crazy mix of citrus, pineapple, pear and passionfruit. New England India Pale Ales are the way forward. Just delicious!
Balter Eazy Hazy, 375ml Can, ABV 4.0%
Why use a stick of dynamite when a party popper will do the trick? Eazy Hazy brings the colour and spark while keeping things nicely chilled. Succulent US hops deliver lime, passionfruit and hints of coconut around a creamy, rolled-wheat base to balance the zesty bitter finish. Pull the ripcord on one without strain or stress. Your well-contained taste explosion.
CRAFT CARTEL NEIPA MIXED PACK
A New England India Pale Ale (NEIPA) is a style of IPA characterised by big juicy hoppiness (without bitterness), refreshing fruity flavours (without any actual fruit), and a smooth, creamy mouthfeel. But what you’ll notice before taking a sip of one, is the way it looks — cloudy and hazy, often to the point of being opaque.
KEEN TO TRY MORE BEER STYLES?
Why not join the Craft Cartel Beer Club from just $59 a month or quarter. Your club case includes 8 unique beers, a beer glass guide and tasting notes, so you’ll pick up interesting knowledge along the way. If you like the sound of learning more about the beers you drink, check out the club.