Not sure if we mentioned it last week, but there are a ton of hazy IPAs showing up in the shop. In the U.S., these are called New England IPAs and are characterized by their cloudy or hazy appearance, huge tropical fruit and dank cannabis aromatics (and flavours), soft mouthfeel and low bitterness. Done well, they are just about the easy-drinkingest IPAs you’ll taste—major fruit bombs! Look for this trend to dominate the market. We’ve already seen versions from many of the major players in BC. This week is no different, as Hearthstone checks in with their Subaquatic Domicile Hazy Pineapple IPA.
Driftwood Cry Me a River Gose 5% 650ml (Victoria)
Pineapple, herbal and briny notes, candied citrus on the nose. Lightly sweet tropical fruit notes on the palate with a salty, dry and tart finish.
Steel & Oak Smoked Lager 5.5% 650ml (Vancouver)
Notes of crispy bacon and campfire with classic, biscuity lager notes on the nose. On the palate, toasted cereal, sweet smoke and a highly carbonated, toasty, dry finish.
Howe Sound Sky Pilot NW Pale Ale 5% 6pk cans (Squamish, BC)
Pours an orangish-yellow colour. Notes of hoppy tropical fruit, citrus and pine on the nose. Crackery/biscuity malt notes on the palate along with a little caramel and fruit.
Hearthstone Subaquatic Domicile IPA 6% 4pk cans (Vancouver)
Pungent hop notes of overripe tropical fruit on the nose. Pineapple juice and grapefruit on the palate with a lightly bitter finish. Nicely balanced hazy IPA.
Russell Punch Bowl Grapefruit IPA 6.5% 4pk cans (Vancouver)
Fresh Ruby Grapefruit juice, lively tropical fruit notes, sweet malt on the nose. Big bittersweet grapefruit flavours, refreshingly bitter with a solid malt/hop balance on the finish.
Persephone Brew the Change Coffee & Rye IPA 7% 650ml (Gibsons, BC)
Notes of smoked caramel, hints of pine and loaded with cold brew coffee aromas. Cold brew coffee notes with loads of rye spice and sweet caramel and pine – lightly bitter finish. Great, creative IPA. (Photo courtesy of Persephone’s Facebook page)