Are you a fan of American IPAs? Do you ever debate with your friends about why it's great? But, have you ever stopped to wonder what is causing all the "haze" in your beer? You're not alone. In "Hazed and Confused: Seeking Clarity in IPAs," readers will learn why this trend is so polarizing and explore the age-old question: is unfiltered beer actually better? Forget the guesswork and dive into this article to get the full story.
Hazed and Confused: Seeking Clarity In IPAs
IPAs or India Pale Ales have become immensely popular since their arrival in the U.S. craft beer scene. A good portion of this popularity can be attributed to their unique characteristics—a hoppy, full-bodied flavor, subtle fruit and floral notes, and an orange-tinged hue. But what really has given IPAs a whopping boost is the trend of ‘hazy’ beer. The hazy IPA has taken the craft beer market by storm, and with it, has come a bit of confusion around what types of beer are considered ‘hazy.’
Hazy beer has a cloudy, milky appearance due to the presence of proteins, yeast, and hop oils. The haze can range from a somewhat opaque pale yellow to a thick, creamy white. It has taken the US craft beer market by storm, with the majority of new IPAs created in the US being hazy.
When looking for a hazy IPA, you should expect a soft mouthfeel, a tropical fruit and citrus aroma, a light bitterness, and a muted hop flavor. In comparison to a dry, clear IPA, hazy beers tend to be sweeter and rounder on the palate.
Nothing, traditionally speaking. Grains like oats and wheat, which brewers have used for hundreds of years, are known for rendering cloudy beer. But when it’s a hazy American IPA, people start arguing. There is a school of thought that believes unfiltered beer tastes inferior because it hasn't undergone the same filtration process as clear beer. This debate is especially heated in the world of IPAs, which is full of flavor fanatics.
IPAs come in a myriad of styles, from sweet and fruity to bold and piney. Most commercial beers are clear, but there’s been a shift in recent years towards hazy IPAs. Specifically, ‘Juicy’ or ‘New England-style’ IPAs—which are described as soft, juicy, and hazy—have taken off in popularity.
What sets hazy IPAs apart is that they are brewed with wheat, oats, and various non-traditional grains. These ingredients add extra body to the beer and create an opaque viscosity. In addition, these new grains boost the beer’s natural yeast, giving the beer its signature cloudy-but-drinkable look.
Hazy IPAs have some unique advantages over traditional clear IPAs. These beers have more flavor complexity and a softer, rounder mouthfeel than their clear counterparts. This is due to the extra body created by the wheat and oats, as well as the higher concentration of unfermented sugars. These beers also have a gentler hop bitterness, which makes them appealing to even non-IPA drinkers.
Despite their growing popularity, hazy IPAs are not without drawbacks. Unfiltered beer can cause problems for tap systems, leading to clogged lines and higher maintenance costs for breweries. Additionally, cloudy beers are more prone to spoilage due to their higher concentrations of active yeast, making them harder to store and transport.
Finally, hazy IPAs tend to be more expensive than their clear counterparts. This can be attributed to their more complex and expensive grain bills, as well as their higher maintenance needs.
Hazy IPAs have become immensely popular in the craft beer world due to their unique flavor and aroma. While these beers may have some drawbacks, their fuller flavor and softer mouthfeel tend to make up for their additional expense and maintenance requirements.
Whether you prefer unfiltered or clear beer, hazy IPAs are undoubtedly here to stay in the craft beer market. So, whatever your preference, you’re sure to find a hazy IPA that will tantalize your taste buds