386: Hazy IPA Q&A from the Brewer’s Retreat, with Fidens, Sapwood Cellars, and North Park
Nov 8, 2024
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Steve Parker, co-founder of Fidens, shares insights on crafting award-winning hazy IPAs. Kelsey McNair of North Park Beer Company discusses the unique flavor profiles of West Coast and East Coast iterations. Scott Janish from Sapwood Cellars delves into the evolution of New England-style IPAs and balancing bitterness in hazy brews. They explore innovative dry hopping techniques, maximizing hop extraction, and optimizing haze while minimizing off-flavors. Join them for a deep dive into the art and science behind one of craft beer's most popular styles!
The evolution of New England-style IPAs showcases a shift towards balanced flavor profiles, emphasizing whirlpool hops to enhance saturation and harmony.
Differences in brewing practices between East and West Coast brewers reveal varying approaches to bitterness and hop integration within hazy styles.
Advanced hop products like cryo hops enable brewers to enhance flavor profiles while maintaining haze stability, creating innovative and balanced IPAs.
Deep dives
Evolution of New England IPAs
The New England-style IPA has evolved significantly over the past few years, shifting towards a more balanced flavor profile. Early iterations of this style often lacked kettle hops, resulting in a flabby taste. Brewers now emphasize incorporating more hops during whirlpool additions to enhance saturation while still achieving a harmonious finish. This balance is crucial for creating a beer that is flavorful yet not overwhelmingly aggressive.
Regional Differences in Hoppy Beers
The brewing practices between East and West Coast brewers reveal important differences, particularly regarding bitterness and hop integration. West Coast brewers maintain some bitterness in their hazy IPAs, aiming for a certain level of dry-hop or kettle hops while still adhering to the hazy style. Collaborations between brewers from different regions have led to an increased understanding and blending of these styles. This ensures that both coastal influences are reflected in the evolving New England IPA landscape.
Impact of Ingredients on Haze Stability
The conversation around malt and hop selections is pivotal in determining the haze stability and overall mouthfeel of New England IPAs. Brewers emphasize the importance of selecting low-colored base malts like Pilsner or two-row to avoid heavy malt characteristics that might overshadow hop flavors. Additionally, the choice of adjunct malts and the timing of hop additions can significantly influence how the beer appears and tastes. This consideration highlights the delicate balance brewers must strike when crafting these distinctive hazy beers.
Techniques for Maximizing Flavor and Aroma
Various brewing techniques such as biotransformation and dry hopping at different fermentation stages can markedly influence the aroma and flavor of New England-style IPAs. Implementing dry hop additions during active fermentation can enhance the final beer's clarity while producing lively hop character. Additionally, maintaining lower fermentation temperatures during dry hopping is advantageous to limit the development of unwanted grassy notes. Overall, the brewers agree that careful management of these processes is fundamental to achieving desired flavor outcomes.
Innovations in Hop Usage
The incorporation of advanced hop products such as cryo hops and concentrated extracts allows brewers to enhance the flavor profile of their IPAs while maintaining haze stability. These innovations bolster the hop character without necessitating excessive amounts of traditional hop pellets, which can lead to substantial yield losses. Brewers also stress the need for careful integration of these products to ensure balance with the beer's overall taste. As experimentation with newer hop varieties continues, brewers are provided with versatile options to elevate their beers creatively.
At the recent Brewer’s Retreat at Dogfish Head in Milton, Delaware, Steve Parker of Fidens (Albany, New York), Scott Janish of Sapwood Cellars (Columbia, Maryland), and Kelsey McNair of North Park (San Diego) answer questions about brewing hazy or New England–style IPA. In this episode, they discuss:
points of difference in West and East Coast hazy iterations
balancing high finishing gravities with additional bitterness from the dry hop
eliminating malt complexity and maximizing light color
promoting biotransformation through whirlpool hops rather than active-fermentation dry hopping
maximizing extraction in dry hopping
using novel products to remove oxidative metals in hazy IPA
optimizing polyphenols necessary for haze while minimizing “hop burn”
pushing hop saturation with flowable hop products
And more.
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