Understanding the Hazy IPA Style
The Hazy IPA, also known as a New England IPA (NEIPA), is defined by its distinctively cloudy appearance and intense fruit-forward aroma and flavor, a stark contrast to the more bitter, crystal-clear West Coast IPA style. This unique profile is achieved through a specific brewing process that prioritizes certain ingredients and techniques.
What Makes a Hazy IPA Hazy?
Several key factors contribute to a Hazy IPA's cloudy appearance and signature juicy flavor profile:
- Unfiltered Process: Unlike many commercial beers, Hazy IPAs are not filtered before packaging. This leaves behind natural particles from the brewing ingredients, including grain proteins, hop compounds, and yeast, which all contribute to the cloudy look and full-bodied texture.
- High-Protein Grains: Brewers often use a grist bill with a significant portion of high-protein grains like flaked oats and wheat. These ingredients contribute to the beer's creamy, soft mouthfeel and the persistent haze.
- Late-Addition Hops (Dry-Hopping): Hazy IPAs get their tropical and fruity punch from dry-hopping, where hops are added late in the fermentation process. This maximizes aromatic hop oils without extracting much bitterness, resulting in the style's characteristic low perceived bitterness.
- Specialized Yeast Strains: Certain yeast strains, known for their low flocculation (tendency to clump and settle), remain suspended in the beer and add to both the haze and the fruity ester flavors.
Top Hazy IPAs Available Nationwide
For many beer lovers, the best Hazy IPA to buy is one that is consistently delicious and easy to find at your local store. The following are some of the most widely distributed and celebrated options:
- Sierra Nevada Hazy Little Thing IPA: One of the most accessible and reliable Hazy IPAs on the market, Hazy Little Thing offers juicy hops with notes of orange and pineapple and a silky malt body. It is an excellent gateway beer to the style due to its moderate bitterness and broad availability.
- Firestone Walker Mind Haze IPA: This beer has quickly become a best-seller, known for its mind-altering splash of fruit flavors. It provides a full-bodied, approachable drinking experience with notes of orange and tropical fruit.
- New Belgium Voodoo Ranger Juicy Hazy IPA: As part of the massively popular Voodoo Ranger series, this IPA is packed with bright tropical aromas and citrusy flavors. The playful brand and consistent flavor have made it a fan favorite nationwide.
- Rogue Batsquatch Hazy IPA: An approachable option with excellent distribution, Batsquatch features a juicy and smooth profile with tropical notes from a combination of Mosaic, El Dorado, and Belma hops.
Award-Winning & Highly-Rated Hazy IPAs
While nationally distributed brands offer great consistency, many of the most sought-after hazy beers come from smaller craft breweries and may have limited availability. Here are some of the standouts that have recently received top honors or high ratings from enthusiasts:
- Cosmic Cali (Spider Bite Beer Co. & Great South Bay Brewery): This collaboration won the "World's Best Hazy IPA" at the Best of Craft Beer Awards in 2025, known as an "epic juice bomb".
- Beezer (Old Irving Brewing Co.): A past World Beer Cup gold medal winner, this Citra and Mosaic-hopped IPA is a critically acclaimed beer worth seeking out in the Chicago area.
- Professional Human Being (Ambitious Ales): Winner of the Great American Beer Festival's best hazy IPA title, this California brew features Nelson, Citra, and Motueka hops, providing intense fruity notes.
- Gggreennn! (Tree House Brewing Company): Often regarded as an iconic Hazy IPA, this beer is consistently top-rated by enthusiasts on platforms like Untappd, celebrated for its intense tropical fruit and citrus flavors.
- DDH Melcher Street (Trillium Brewing Company): A classic from the New England haze pioneers, this beer highlights Mosaic hops with nuanced flavors and a gentle bitterness.
Comparison of Popular Hazy IPAs
To help you decide what is the best Hazy IPA to buy, here is a comparison of some readily available options:
| Feature | Sierra Nevada Hazy Little Thing | Firestone Walker Mind Haze | New Belgium Voodoo Ranger Juicy Hazy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Availability | Very widespread national | Widespread national, especially strong in CA | Widespread national |
| ABV | 6.7% | 6.2% | 7.5% |
| Flavor Profile | Juicy hops with notes of orange, pineapple, and a soft malt body. | Tropical fruit and juicy notes, with a smooth and pillowy character. | Bright tropical aroma and citrusy flavors with a crisp, refreshing finish. |
| Texture | Unfiltered and unprocessed, with a balanced, silky mouthfeel. | Smooth, with a "mind-altering splash" of fruit and a balanced body. | Unfiltered with a pleasantly smooth finish and a juicy hop experience. |
| Key Hops | Specific blend, emphasizing citrus and pineapple notes. | Blend of hops including Mandarina Bavaria, Citra, Idaho 7, and Mosaic. | Mosaic and Amarillo hops for tropical fruit flavor. |
How to Select the Right Hazy IPA for You
With so many choices, finding your personal best Hazy IPA to buy comes down to a few key considerations. First, decide what level of availability you require. If you want a reliable, easy-to-find option, the nationally distributed brands listed above are a perfect place to start. If you enjoy hunting for rarer finds, exploring breweries with limited releases or checking beer rating sites like Untappd can lead you to exciting, intensely flavored regional gems.
Second, consider your flavor preferences. Do you prefer a sweeter, more tropical fruit-forward profile, or something with a touch more citrus peel character? The specific hop varieties used, such as Citra, Mosaic, and Galaxy, dictate these nuances. Reading the tasting notes on the can or searching online reviews will help guide your choice.
Finally, freshness is paramount. The vibrant, fruit-forward aromas in Hazy IPAs are volatile and can fade over time. Always check the packaging date on the can and opt for the freshest batch you can find. This ensures you're experiencing the beer as the brewer intended, with maximum juiciness and aroma.
Conclusion: Finding Your Best Hazy IPA to Buy
Ultimately, the question of what is the best Hazy IPA to buy has a subjective answer that varies based on availability, personal taste, and access to fresh product. By understanding the key characteristics of the style, exploring both nationally distributed powerhouses and smaller award-winners, and prioritizing freshness, you can navigate the booming Hazy IPA market with confidence. For a reliable, widely available starting point, Sierra Nevada Hazy Little Thing is an excellent choice. However, don't be afraid to explore the offerings from smaller, local breweries for unique and intensely flavored experiences. The world of Hazy IPAs is vast and full of delicious possibilities, and the journey is just as rewarding as the destination.
