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Hops and hazy go hand in hand, especially when the final result has a “juicy” quality. Double dry hopping is a brewing process where hops are added to a beer during the fermentation process resulting in a more aromatic, less bitter beer.
The India pale ale is the style that most often gets this treatment. Hazy or juicy IPAs rule the roost in craft beer these days. Often, they are top sellers on draft and to-go can sales from brewery taprooms.
It is time, however, for the hazy pale ale to get a closer look. The hazy or juicy pale ale often packs less of a hop punch and puts a larger focus on the grain bill than its bullheaded IPA sibling. Traditionally pale ales have less alcohol by volume than IPAs.
A more nuanced hop bill and lighter grain body allows the ingredients shine a bit more. Without worrying about cramming in countless pounds of hops per barrel or boosting up the booze, the aromas and flavors have room to stretch out.
In juicy or hazy pale ales aromas of orange peel, pineapple, guava, mango, berries, melon, cedar, coconut and more—calling cards of popular hops like Mosaic, Citra, Idaho 7, Strata, and more—come alive. Wheat, flaked oats and simple malts add biscuit and bready flavor. Generally, these have lighter mouthfeel and can range from slightly hazy to completely murky in appearance.
This style also allows for modest amounts of pleasing hop bitterness to emerge, often in the finish. This helps bridge the gap between traditional pale ales where a noticeable amount of bitterness is expected with the more modern style that focuses more on aroma.
Hazy pale ales are suited for session drinking, afternoon ball games, fire pits and long afternoons at the pub. With an easy abv, the style does not bring on palate fatigue as quickly as more aggressively hoppy beers. Hazy pale ales are always a good decision when the day calls for something easy yet flavorful.
Alternate Ending Why Not? (Hazy pale ale; Alternate Ending Brewing, NJ); $17/16oz 4 Pack. Find on Wine-Searcher. A fruity cotton candy forward pale ale with undertones of vanilla and orange with a slight malt huskiness… SEE SCORE AND FULL REVIEW
Deschutes Neon Daydream (Hazy pale ale; Deschutes Brewing, OR); $12/12oz 6 pack. Buy on Total Wine & More. Tangerine, orange, grapefruit and candied lime forward, this aromatic pale ale pours slightly hazy with a robust head and an intent on delivering citrus refreshment… SEE SCORE AND FULL REVIEW
Industrial Arts Pocket Wrench (Hazy pale ale; Industrial Arts Brewing, NY); $15/16oz 4 pack. Buy on Total Wine & More. Pours a pale hazy straw yellow with a robust foam head that dissipates quickly and soon reveals a soft aroma of lemon and pineapple, guava, tangerine and passion fruit… SEE SCORE AND FULL REVIEW
Lamplighter Superbloom (Hazy pale ale; Lamplighter Brewing, MA); $16/16oz 4 Pack. Find on Drizly. A floral-forward burnt orange hued hazy pale that brings wine-like aromas to the forefront after a few sips… SEE SCORE AND FULL REVIEW
Lawson’s Brave Little State (Hazy pale ale; Lawson’s Finest Liquids, VT); $13/16oz 4 pack. Find on Wine-Searcher. With a hazy complexion and sweet malt aroma, berry, floral and melon-forward hops follow shortly after and continue onto the palate… SEE SCORE AND FULL REVIEW
New Image Single by Choice (Hazy pale ale; New Image Brewing Co., CO); $24/16oz 4 pack. Find on Total Wine & More. Single hopped with Citra hops, this pale yellow hazy pale ale has a lot of orange, lime and clementine aromas up front that continue to the palate… SEE SCORE AND FULL REVIEW
New Realm Unexpected Turbulence (Hazy pale ale; New Realm Brewing, GA); $7/16oz. Find on New Realm. A smooth bodied, floral tropical aroma forward pale ale that pours a golden orange with a light head of foam… SEE SCORE AND FULL REVIEW
Offshoot Beer Coast (Hazy pale ale; Offshoot Beer Co., CA); $14/16oz 4 Pack. Find on Total Wine & More. A medium bodied, easy drinking pale ale that leans heavily into aroma hops leaving bitterness behind… SEE SCORE AND FULL REVIEW
Reuben’s Crushable (Hazy pale ale; Reuben’s Brews, WA); $11/12oz 6 pack. Find on Reuben’s Brews. If you’re looking for a juicy, easy drinking pale ale that is best consumed a few pints in a row, this fits the bill… SEE SCORE AND FULL REVIEW
St. Elmo Smalls (Hazy pale ale; St. Elmo Brewing, TX); $18/16oz 4 pack. Find on St. Elmo Brewing Company. Big on hop aroma and flavor in a manageable medium bodied package… SEE SCORE AND FULL REVIEW
Last Updated: July 12, 2023
