New England IPA "Northeast" style IPA

[WBCo]

Total props to the Alchemist for inventing the style. I've never had Heady Topper, but wondering if your thoughts about it have changed over the years? My sense is that some folks now see it almost as a precursor to the current NEIPA's, which are getting ever more juicy.

Heady is different from what most people associate as a NEIPA nowadays, if for no other reason than its firm bitterness. My wife and I go to Stowe every winter to go snowboarding, so I don't get to drink it regularly, but I have had it multiple times. There are small differences in the beer that John admits to because he harvests and reuses the yeast. Over the years he knows how many times he can harvest it before the yeast no longer delivers what he is looking for in the beers. I've also heard him in interviews talk about how they blend multiple fermentors together at packaging to produce a repeatable product, but how he will at times play around with one of the variables in one of the fermentors. This allows him to taste how that variable changes the beer by tasting the beer straight from the fermentor, but then he can blend it back in with multiple other fermentors before packaging. If he thinks the variable provides an improvement without changing the overall beer he will implement that variable in future batches. Don't quote me on any of this, I'm regurgitating it all from memory.

 

[mergs]

Total props to the Alchemist for inventing the style. I've never had Heady Topper, but wondering if your thoughts about it have changed over the years? My sense is that some folks now see it almost as a precursor to the current NEIPA's, which are getting ever more juicy.

I totally agree with @WBCo. At the time it was so different and new it was incredible (like Pliny was?).

Honestly I am not totally sure I enjoyed the first pint because it was sooo different to my palate at that time. But my second pint it was damn all my previous thoughts about beer and my preferences, this is really amazing. Even back then it was that good.

That said, compared to what most people consider NEIPA and what I brew towards, its not your typical NEIPA. Compared to Treehouse, Trillium. Equilibrium or even Block 13 out here, HT is almost and I stress almost towards the "west coast IPA style" but there was something mouthfeely and aromatic that was different. I have had HT shipped/beertraded to me and I still love it when i can get it (its like Pliny, which is a wonderful beer but...) so I do love a good Eq or Block 13 better these days. Its just not my current palate. I just love that I used to be in the old Alchemist and had beers served by the lovely Ms. Kimmich and feel like I tasted history in the making. I still seek out NEIPA as my goto style, even out here in the upper left, usa where neipas are sometimes embraced, sometimes scorned.

Brewers out here sometimes make comments about this style but deep down they know, its still the style that sells! I moved west 6 years ago and I noticed about 2 years ago, there are a lot of "hazy IPAs" and now "west coast IPAs". Amazing how we now need the distinction! But I'm ok with it... I always go for the NE usually.

Edit: @SRJHops, not sure if I answered your question specifically. Yes, I enjoy HT now but I like Focal Banger and Skadoosh better now. and there are a handful of NW breweries that do the style with much seriousness so I don't need to beer trade so much any more. I did a blind tasting out here in the PNW with Pliny, vs. HT vs. probably something from Treehouse, Trillium or Equilibrium and Pliny was 3rd, HT was 2nd and what ever the new tropical pineapple bomb I served won. The west coast brewers are still dealing with this "trend". HFSO

 

[SRJHops]

I totally agree with @WBCo. At the time it was so different and new it was incredible (like Pliny was?).

Honestly I am not totally sure I enjoyed the first pint because it was sooo different to my palate at that time. But my second pint it was damn all my previous thoughts about beer and my preferences, this is really amazing. Even back then it was that good.

That said, compared to what most people consider NEIPA and what I brew towards, its not your typical NEIPA. Compared to Treehouse, Trillium. Equilibrium or even Block 13 out here, HT is almost and I stress almost towards the "west coast IPA style" but there was something mouthfeely and aromatic that was different. I have had HT shipped/beertraded to me and I still love it when i can get it (its like Pliny, which is a wonderful beer but...) so I do love a good Eq or Block 13 better these days. Its just not my current palate. I just love that I used to be in the old Alchemist and had beers served by the lovely Ms. Kimmich and feel like I tasted history in the making. I still seek out NEIPA as my goto style, even out here in the upper left, usa where neipas are sometimes embraced, sometimes scorned.

Brewers out here sometimes make comments about this style but deep down they know, its still the style that sells! I moved west 6 years ago and I noticed about 2 years ago, there are a lot of "hazy IPAs" and now "west coast IPAs". Amazing how we now need the distinction! But I'm ok with it... I always go for the NE usually.

Edit: @SRJHops, not sure if I answered your question specifically. Yes, I enjoy HT now but I like Focal Banger and Skadoosh better now. and there are a handful of NW breweries that do the style with much seriousness so I don't need to beer trade so much any more. I did a blind tasting out here in the PNW with Pliny, vs. HT vs. probably something from Treehouse, Trillium or Equilibrium and Pliny was 3rd, HT was 2nd and what ever the new tropical pineapple bomb I served won. The west coast brewers are still dealing with this "trend". HFSO

Your comments about the taste test align with my experience. For this style, a good local NEIPA can beat most anything else. I had a Drekker (local enough) yesterday that was Awesome. I also had a Bell's hazy ipa the day before that was tasty, but not even close to the Drekker. It made me wonder if Bell's was even trying to make a NEIPA. No softness at all. Maybe "hazy ipa" is a slightly different style?

 

[tld6008]

Could you elaborate on the "NW breweries that do the style with so much seriousness"?
Especially if they are in WA as I travel there frequently.

 

[Dgallo]

Your comments about the taste test aligns with my experience. For this style, a good local NEIPA can beat most anything else. I had a Drekker (local enough) yesterday that was Awesome. I also had a Bell's hazy ipa the day before that was tasty, but not even close to the Drekker. It made me wonder if Bell's was even trying to make a NEIPA. No softness at all. Maybe "hazy ipa" is a slightly different style?

You’re also kinda comparing apples and oranges. They both meet the guidelines for a NEIPA but one can certainly be better. For founders, they don’t have to produce an amazing NEIPA to make money since they already have a name for themselves and multiple flagships that bring in the bacon. Since NEIPA are so popular, local places have to have a solid ipa to get people in the door, if you know what I’m trying to say

 

[SRJHops]

You’re also kinda comparing apples and oranges. They both meet the guidelines for a NEIPA but one can certainly be better. For founders, they don’t have to produce an amazing NEIPA to make money since they already have a name for themselves and multiple flagships that bring in the bacon. Since NEIPA are so popular, local places have to have a solid ipa to get people in the door, if you know what I’m trying to say

If they are both NEIPAs, though, it would be apples to apples, right?
But I agree with what you mean. Some are better than others of course. If I see a beer called "hazy or juicy IPA" I am expecting a NEIPA. But often it just seems to be a flavorful IPA...

 

[ramjam]

i tried my first NEIPA just a few days ago, i have never been a hop head myself but i really enjoyed this beer and plan on trying my hand in making one at home

 

[Dgallo]

i tried my first NEIPA just a few days ago, i have never been a hop head myself but i really enjoyed this beer and plan on trying my hand in making one at homeView attachment 626032

What’s the canning date on that can? Looks like their cans from years ago..looks oxidized as all hell

 

[SRJHops]

What’s the canning date on that can? Looks like their cans from years ago..looks oxidized as all hell

THAT is the color I am trying to avoid!

On a somewhat related note, and props/respect again to John Kimmich at the Alchemist for inventing the style, but I found this video very bizarre. I rolled my eyes when he explained why you should drink Heady Topper from a can -- because if you take an hour to drink it from a glass it will oxidize! Riiiiight... I have never taken that long to drink any beer, ever. But the truly bizarre part is at the end, when he opens a year-old can of Heady -- oxidized as hell -- and says it's just as good as when it was canned! Again, riiiiight....sure it is.

 

[braindead]

What’s the canning date on that can? Looks like their cans from years ago..looks oxidized as all hell

I agree, that looks terrible. Massively Oxidised.
Still I'm dying to try Treehouse but don't think ill ever get hold of one : (

 

[ramjam]

i don’t remember the canning date, i will look when i get home, it tasted good

 

[Andrew Hodgson]

@SRJHops

I have seen that video before and thought the same. I had heard that though he maintains the "drink from the can" was to retain nose or prevent oxidation or whatever but that it really was due to the market not yet being ready for a non-clear IPA. Who knows, I tend to favor the second reason as it makes more sense at the time the beer was the gold standard and forefront of hazy IPA's.

 

[Dgallo]

I agree, that looks terrible. Massively Oxidised.
Still I'm dying to try Treehouse but don't think ill ever get hold of one : (

Do you have access to any sought after beers in you area? If so I know @TheDudeLebowski has access to trillium and tree house and does trades

 

[RTE]

i tried my first NEIPA just a few days ago, i have never been a hop head myself but i really enjoyed this beer and plan on trying my hand in making one at home

Julius has a higher SRM than your typical NEIPA (bissell, trillium, etc.), due to possibly honey malt or something similar used. Also lightning, camera angle, and phone type all impact how the photo turns out. Point being, this can is probably not oxidized. Julius is darker to begin with and there could be a camera lightning issue as well.

tldr: Looks like Julius to me.

The label is weird because during the fall/winter their can supplier fell behind schedule so they reverted to using plain cans with older labels. That said, I would guess this can is at least 3 months old.

 

[BrewCityBaller]

i tried my first NEIPA just a few days ago, i have never been a hop head myself but i really enjoyed this beer and plan on trying my hand in making one at homeView attachment 626032

If you enjoyed this NEIPA you're going to be THRILLED when you taste one that isn't oxidized.

 

[Dgallo]

Julius has a higher SRM than your typical NEIPA (bissell, trillium, etc.), due to possibly honey malt or something similar used. Also lightning, camera angle, and phone type all impact how the photo turns out. Point being, this can is probably not oxidized. Julius is darker to begin with and there could be a camera lightning issue as well.

tldr: Looks like Julius to me.

The label is weird because during the fall/winter their can supplier fell behind schedule so they reverted to using plain cans with older labels. That said, I would guess this can is at least 3 months old.

I get it, youre big tree house supporter. All good brother. But there’s a difference between a 7-8srm and that copper oxidized color.

 

[braindead]

Do you have access to any sought after beers in you area? If so I know @TheDudeLebowski has access to trillium and tree house and does trades

I can get all Cloudwater, Verdant, Omnipollo, Cantillon, Brouwerij 3 Fonteinen. ETC
Verdant are killing it here in the UK at the moment.

 

[Hannabrew]

THAT is the color I am trying to avoid!

On a somewhat related note, and props/respect again to John Kimmich at the Alchemist for inventing the style, but I found this video very bizarre. I rolled my eyes when he explained why you should drink Heady Topper from a can -- because if you take an hour to drink it from a glass it will oxidize! Riiiiight... I have never taken that long to drink any beer, ever. But the truly bizarre part is at the end, when he opens a year-old can of Heady -- oxidized as hell -- and says it's just as good as when it was canned! Again, riiiiight....sure it is.

His cans do have some of the best total packaged dissolved oxygen levels in the business so it's quite possible.

I get it, youre big tree house supporter. All good brother. But there’s a difference between a 7-8srm and that copper oxidized color.

Yeah, Julius has a beautiful color...I find it hard to believe a lighting/camera angle could make it look that color especially considering it's not a dark photo.

 

[marchuk96]

Anyone catch wind of this yet..

https://www.brewbound.com/news/bost...gfish-head-agree-to-merge-in-300-million-deal

 

[ramjam]

4/12/19 was the canned on date of that beer, it must spoil fast?

 

[Dgallo]

4/12/19 was the canned on date of that beer, it must spoil fast?

It shouldn’t but I haven’t ever seen Julius or any of their beers look like that ever

 

[ramjam]

it really wasn’t that dark as it looks in the picture, i thought the picture made it look dark, but i didn’t think it made it look that bad lol

 

[VirginiaHops1]

it really wasn’t that dark as it looks in the picture, i thought the picture made it look dark, but i didn’t think it made it look that bad lol

Lighting in pictures can make a beers color change dramatically, especially super hazy beers. I can take a NEIPA that has a beautiful light golden color and easily make it look like oxidized crap in a picture. Only the person who tasted it(you) would really know.

 

[SRJHops]

Anyone catch wind of this yet..

https://www.brewbound.com/news/bost...gfish-head-agree-to-merge-in-300-million-deal

Interesting and a bit surprising. But more power to 'em if they think that's the way to go.

Personally, with the explosion of local craft breweries making great beer, I've really lost a lot of interest in the national brands. Every time I break down and buy something from one of them I am disappointed, especially with the NEIPA's. I wish the national craft breweries well, though.

 

[ThirstyPawsHB]

Interesting and a bit surprising. But more power to 'em if they think that's the way to go.

Sure, I'd go the way of 127 million in my pocket if offered to be bought by a blah brewery!

 

[exit8]

It shouldn’t but I haven’t ever seen Julius or any of their beers look like that ever

Take a look at this one around the 10 minute mark.

 

[Dgallo]

Take a look at this one around the 10 minute mark.

Rest my case. That’s for the evidence lol

 

[beervoid]

Take a look at this one around the 10 minute mark.

Have had plenty of those from around every corner of the world. Diacetyl and oxidation problems.

 

[SRJHops]

Take a look at this one around the 10 minute mark.

HA! Love this. Totally went a different way than I expected! "Oh oh, has this gone wrong?"

 

[braindead]

Not carbed yet but well happy it looks better than Julius : )
This was the dregs from the bottom of the carboy after transfer