Hay-Z-Boy Hazy Juicy IPA by Two Roads Brewing Co. was judged as a Hazy IPA (also known as a New England IPA) via BJCP Category 21C. Hazy IPA is a newly-added style to the BJCP Guidelines, but the style has been pretty well defined for almost a decade. For the unitiated, this style punches up hop aroma and flavor intensity and focuses on fruity strains, while keeping IBUs at a smooth, drinkable level.

This beer has a lemony hop aroma with notes of resin that make for an interesting and appealing combo. It is milky-yellow in color with a tall, white head. The flavor is fairly light, with bright citrusy hop notes. Bitterness level in this beer is on the low end of the spectrum, making for an easier sip. It is well-carbonated and has a prickly-yet-fluffy texture. Hay-Z-Boy certainly looks like a Hazy IPA, but doesn't hit all the right notes. Its lemony character is appropriate, but would be better rounded out with additional fruity complexity. The low flavor levels are well below the required intensity, and give this beer an overall feel that is less substantial than the style calls for. With so many examples of Hazy IPA on the market, fans of the style will have a hard time being wowed by this one.