Competition entry: is a NE IPA an American IPA or a Specialty IPA?

[lolcats]

For competition entry purposes: is a NE IPA an American IPA or a Specialty IPA?

Kind of a stupid question, but i don't think a NE IPA fits the regular AIPA guidelines. Lower bitterness, hazy juicy appearance, creamier mouthfeel, lower carbonation, sweeter etc

I'm entering this beer in a competition, not sure what to put it in.. Thanks!

 

[murphyslaw]

Specialty. You'd get nailed for being hazy and delicious in the regulation IPA category.

 

[lolcats]

Haha okay thanks!

 

[oceanic_brew]

I have to try one of these cause all I see is orange juice in that picture haha

 

[FruityHops]

I haven't noticed lower carbonation levels in commercial NEIPAs I've had and I shoot for about 2.5 volumes in my home brewed NEIPAs.

 

[Homercidal]

NEIPA needs a "Turbidity" characteristic to judge by...

 

[jekeane]

Definitely not an American IPA. If I was given that as a judge and told it was an american IPA it would immediately be down 4 (3 in appearance 1 overall) points for appearance and from your descriptors if would get dinged massively throughout except maybe in aroma. If it actually tasted great in the overall I would tell you and say try entering it as a specialty or experimental.

You are probably OK with Specialty IPA (other) seeing they are well known enough at this point that judges may accept it although I don't believe it goes here either. "Recognizable as an IPA by balance - a hop forward, bitter, dryish beer with something else to set it apart from the standard categories."

Until there is a category or subcategory for it I think of them more as experimental beers.

I would reach out to the competition coordinator and see if he can give insight.

 

[jekeane]

NEIPA needs a "Turbidity" characteristic to judge by...

lol like a SRM chart but instead a chart of how filthy they can look?

 

[lolcats]

I haven't noticed lower carbonation levels in commercial NEIPAs I've had and I shoot for about 2.5 volumes in my home brewed NEIPAs.

Which commercial NE IPAs are you referring to?

They definitely are less carbonated than regular AIPAs. Trillium/Other Half/Treehouse etc. This increases the creamy and juice sensation. I aim for 2.1/2.2 for this style which gets me pretty close to the above breweries

 

[lolcats]

I have to try one of these cause all I see is orange juice in that picture haha

Haha for sure, i went 20% wheat and 10% flaked wheat

 

[lolcats]

Definitely not an American IPA. If I was given that as a judge and told it was an american IPA it would immediately be down 4 (3 in appearance 1 overall) points for appearance and from your descriptors if would get dinged massively throughout except maybe in aroma. If it actually tasted great in the overall I would tell you and say try entering it as a specialty or experimental.

You are probably OK with Specialty IPA (other) seeing they are well known enough at this point that judges may accept it although I don't believe it goes here either. "Recognizable as an IPA by balance - a hop forward, bitter, dryish beer with something else to set it apart from the standard categories."

Until there is a category or subcategory for it I think of them more as experimental beers.

I would reach out to the competition coordinator and see if he can give insight.

I'll reach out, but I fear people wont understand

I think overall these guidelines are way to strict. For an IPA it should be just Hop forward (showcasing the hops). I don't see why IBU range/clarity etc has anything to do with being an IPA

 

[FruityHops]

Which commercial NE IPAs are you referring to?

They definitely are less carbonated than regular AIPAs. Trillium/Other Half/Treehouse etc. This increases the creamy and juice sensation. I aim for 2.1/2.2 for this style which gets me pretty close to the above breweries

Tree House and Trillium mostly. Looks like you're right though. I double checked the carbonation chart and the 44 F with 11-12 psi where I keep my kegs is actually getting me about 2.2 to 2.3 volumes.

 

[jekeane]

I'll reach out, but I fear people wont understand

I think overall these guidelines are way to strict. For an IPA it should be just Hop forward (showcasing the hops). I don't see why IBU range/clarity etc has anything to do with being an IPA

Because guidelines are guidelines specifically for competition. If a beer style has staying power it will eventually get recognized for what it is and either added as it's own category or sub category. This is exactly why there is a belgian, black, red, white IPA category now.

There are tons of beers out there that don't fit into competition categories and are still good beers. NE IPA's in particular get more criticism for being outside of established categories because 1. They look like brackish drain water compared to the base style people try to squeeze them in to. 2. They miss on every character of the base style people try to squeeze them in to except aroma. It doesn't mean they are bad beers it just means they are bad beers to enter into a bjcp style competition as an american IPA.