In case you missed it, earlier this year, three juicy or hazy styles were formally incorporated into the Brewers Association Beer Style Guidelines.
That means the 2018 Great American Beer Festival (Sept. 20-22 in Denver) will be the first time “Juicy or Hazy Pale Ale,” “Juicy or Hazy India Pale Ale,” and “Juicy or Hazy Imperial or Double India Pale Ale” will be judged and awarded medals.
But the even bigger news is that the total number of entries for all three of the juicy or hazy styles is 706. And with just 331 entries, it also marks the first time in over a decade and a half that American-Style IPA is no longer the top beer style entered at GABF.
It’s some kind of victory and vindication for lovers of the juice and haze. And in (grudging) honor of that, New Realm Hoptropolis IPA, now available year-round and in cans for the first time, is this week’s Beer Pick.
Beer Pick
Hoptropolis IPA
New Realm Brewing Co., Atlanta
Available year-round on draft and in 12-ounce six-pack cans
Profile
Brewed with a combo of pale and English crystal malts, plus oats, and Citra, Mosaic, Loral and Azacca hops, Hoptropolis is New Realm’s take on the popular tropical IPA style. Indeed, brewmaster Mitch Steele says it’s been such a runaway hit in the taproom, it was great to finally get it into cans. And as of this week, it’s the third year-round release for the brewery.
The slightly hazy pale gold color and full white head give way to a rush of fruity floral and citrus aromas and flavors with notes of ripe mango and peach. At 6.5 percent alcohol, it’s refreshing, with a smooth bitterness, but more complex and not as wimpy as some more doctored versions of the style. In other words, it’s still an IPA.
Pair with
Try the fruity aromas and flavors and smooth bitterness of Hoptropolis with Asian, Indian, or Latin dishes, shrimp or lobster, or cheddar or blue cheese.
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