Hazy Bastard

Hazy Bastard from Blue Point (evaluated under BJCP Category 21B, Specialty IPA – specifically as a New England IPA) is, per the brewery, a double-dry-hopped “juicy” IPA that seems to be lacking the bright, fruity hops character that we’ve come to expect from the style – though it is, admittedly, hazy.

It pours a hazy gold with moderate white persistent head. The initial aroma is surprisingly limited, however, with low peach and orange notes and a moderate apple-like ethanol or ester. A spicy alcohol (or, possibly, a hops contribution) was detectable as the beer warmed, but it was not accompanied by an overall increase in the intensity of the aroma.

In terms of flavor, there is a dilute, watery character to the detectable flavors. The strongest is of alcohol, with low-medium grainy flavors, low bitterness, and a citrus and stone fruit hops profile that matches the aroma (but lacks punch). The semi-sweet finish was offset a fair amount by the resiny mouthfeel, but would benefit from a bit more “bite.”

Hazy Bastard is a surprisingly dull IPA with less hops in evidence than we now expect even from most American Pale Ales. It wasn’t a bad drinking experience, but it lags far behind the intensity of the best examples in the market.