Since 1979 the BA has provided beer style descriptions as a reference for brewers and beer competition organizers.
The New England IPA is dead. Long live the Juicy or Hazy India Pale Ale (IPA).
- Color: Straw to deep gold
- Clarity: Low to very high degree of cloudiness is typical of these beers. Starch, yeast, hop, protein and/or other compounds contribute to a wide range of hazy appearance within this category.
- Perceived Malt Aroma & Flavor: Low to low-medium malt aroma and flavor may be present
- Perceived Hop Aroma & Flavor: Medium-high to very high hop aroma and flavor are present, with attributes typical of hops from any origin
- Perceived Bitterness: Medium-low to medium
- Fermentation Characteristics: Low to medium fruity-esters aroma and flavour may be present, but are usually overwhelmed by hop fruitiness. Diacetyl should not be perceived.
- Body: Medium-low to medium-high. Perceived silky or full mouthfeel may contribute to overall flavor profile.
- Additional notes: Grist may include a small amount of oat, wheat or other adjuncts to promote haziness. Descriptors such as “juicy” are often used to describe the taste and aroma hop-derived attributes present in these beers.
- India Pale Ale has an Alcohol by Weight (Volume) of 5.0%-6.0%(6.3%-7.5%) • Bitterness (IBU) 50-70
- Imperial/Double India Pale Ale has an Alcohol by Weight (Volume) of 6.0%-8.4%(7.6%-10.6%) • Bitterness (IBU) 65-100
For those who have never tried or heard of it, a Juicy IPA is an aggressively hopped unfiltered IPA or Double IPA. The appearance ranges from slightly hazy or cloudy to opaque or muddy but NOT chalky. Dry-hopping, the use of high-protein grains (flours, flaked oats, wheat), certain yeast strains, water chemistry, CO2 levels, and other techniques may also contribute to the beer’s haze and mouthfeel. But the overall goal is typically a hazy, juicy IPA packed with fruity and floral flavours and aroma.
The style got its start in Vermont and Massachusetts but has spread throughout the Midatlantic area. New Jersey has a few micro-brewers who make top-notch examples of this style and three of them are close to home. My number one favourite brewery is Troon Brewing in Hopewell, New Jersey but I also love ales from Flounder Brewing in Hillsborough and Conclave Brewing in Raritan/Flemington, New Jersey.
I am blessed with the good fortune of living within 15 minutes, 20 minutes, and 40 minutes of these three breweries.
Untappd (in-order of proximity to my home).
