East Coast IPAs follow traditional British IPA styles, which typically contain a higher proportion of malts and hops that add a sweet and malty flavor. West Coast IPAs, on the other hand, are hop-forward and focus more on the citrusy and piney flavors of the hop.
They have less malt, which means the bitterness and assertive “hoppiness” is more prevalent. West Coast IPAs are also a bit higher in alcohol, sometimes reaching double or triple digits. On the other hand, East Coast IPAs have lower alcohol content.
The two main differences between East Coast and West Coast IPAs are the hop profile and the malt to hop ratio. East Coast IPAs usually have a richer malt flavor and a smoother profile, while West Coast IPAs are more hop forward and more bitter.
The differences in hop flavor and malt sweetness also change the way the beer is served and enjoyed. East Coast IPAs are typically served slightly colder and offer a silky malt finish relatively quickly.
On the other hand, West Coast IPAs may be served slightly warmer and linger in the tongue a little longer.
Are East Coast IPA hazy?
Yes, East Coast IPAs tend to be quite hazy. This is because they often include a large amount of wheat, oats, and other grains which don’t get filtered out as much in a traditional brewing process. For this reason, the beer has a cloudy, hazy look to it.
In addition, East Coast IPAs are often “dry-hopped” with flavorful hops, which also adds a more turbid look to the beer. East Coast IPAs tend to have a much fuller body and mouthfeel than their West Coast IPA counterparts, making them a favorite amongst craft beer enthusiasts.
Is Hazy IPA West or East Coast?
Hazy IPA is a type of beer that falls into the category of New England-style IPA, which is considered to be an East Coast style. Also known as “juicy” or “hazy” IPAs, New England-style beers are known for their intense flavor, low bitterness and hazy haze.
Hazy IPAs are typically brewed with a combination of hops, yeast and malt to create a unique flavor profile that often includes notes of citrus, tropical fruits, and stone fruits. New England-style IPAs generally have a low ABV (alcohol by volume) content, so they are generally considered to be sessionable beers.
However, there are some variations on the hazy IPA style, such as Imperial and Double Hazy IPAs, that have a higher ABV content.
Hazy IPA has become increasingly popular in recent years and can be found in breweries all over the world. While some brewers may choose to apply more traditional techniques to their version, the true East Coast style of Hazy IPA is normally associated with a juicy and hazy appearance.
What is East Coast beer?
East Coast beer is a term commonly used to describe American craft beers produced in the Eastern United States. This region is home to well-known craft breweries like Dogfish Head, Brooklyn Brewery, and Captain Lawrence, as well as many smaller, independently run breweries.
East Coast beer is associated with bold flavors, a focus on traditional beer styles and brewing methods, and an experimental spirit. East Coast brewers tend to use a variety of ingredients in their brewing process, resulting in a range of memorable beers.
Some of the most popular styles of East Coast beer are IPAs, pale ales, lagers, stouts, and barrel-aged beers. The unique terroir of the East Coast also plays a role in imparting a distinct flavor to the beer, including qualities such as saltiness, minerality, tartness, and smokiness.
East Coast beer is a vibrant, ever-evolving slice of the American craft beer scene, and drinkers around the world are offered a multitude of tasty, creative beers lovingly crafted by the dedicated brewers of the Eastern United States.
Is an American IPA the same as a West Coast IPA?
No, an American IPA is not the same as a West Coast IPA. While both brews are part of the IPA (India Pale Ale) family, the American IPA is fuller-bodied and less bitter than the West Coast variety. It is also characterized by the use of citrusy, fruity American hops, like Centennial and Cascade.
Conversely, West Coast IPA is recognized for having an intense hop bitterness to balance out the malt sweetness. It usually has a high hop aroma, courtesy of Columbus and/or Simcoe hops. West Coast IPAs also generally have a drier finish than an American IPA,meaning that the malt sweetness quickly fades to a presence of hop bitterness on the aftertaste.
What makes an IPA a West Coast IPA?
A West Coast IPA is a style of India Pale Ale that originated on the West Coast of America. It is known for its intense hop aroma and flavor, with pine, citrus, and floral notes. West Coast IPAs typically have higher alcohol content than traditional IPAs, ranging from 6–7.
5%, and can be considerably more bitter. These beers generally feature multiple varieties of hops that may include Centennial, Amarillo, Simcoe and Columbus. This allows brewers to create complex and layered hop profiles, while also having a more robust malt backbone and deep caramel color.
West Coast IPAs typically do not contain a lot of sweetness – the malt body should remain in the background and let the hops shine. They are typically dry-hopped as well, which results in even more flavor and aroma complexity.
Is hazy IPAs same as New England IPAs?
No, hazy IPAs and New England IPAs (NEIPAs) are different types of IPAs. Hazy IPAs are considered a type of American IPA, and are usually brewed with a variety of hops and feature intense, juicy fruit flavors.
NEIPAs are softer, sweeter, and have a lower bitterness, with a more full-bodied mouthfeel. They also typically incorporate oats and wheat in the grain bill, which give them a hazy, creamy texture. NEIPAs are usually brewed with hop varieties that add tropical fruit and citrus flavors, with a dank, herbal aroma.
While both styles have a similar hazy appearance and juicy character, the key difference is that NEIPAs use special hop varieties that give them a unique flavor, aroma, and mouthfeel.
Why is it called West Coast IPA?
The roots of what we now know as the West Coast IPA can be traced back to the early days of the craft beer movement in America. In the early 1980s, there was a strong focus on brewing beer that was true to style, and many of the original craft breweries were located on the East Coast.
However, a handful of breweries started popping up on the West Coast, and they quickly began to develop their own unique styles and flavor profiles. One of those breweries was Sierra Nevada, which is now one of the most iconic craft breweries in the country.
Sierra Nevada was founded in 1980 by Ken Grossman, who was heavily influenced by the brewing traditions of England and Germany. However, he also wanted to put his own spin on things, and he began experimenting with different hops and malt varieties.
This led to the creation of Sierra Nevada’s flagship beer, the Sierra Nevada Pale Ale, which was first released in 1981.
The Sierra Nevada Pale Ale quickly became a favorite among beer drinkers on the West Coast, and it helped to pave the way for other breweries to experiment with new and innovative beer styles. In the 1990s, a number of breweries started playing around with the hop profiles of their beers, and this led to the development of what we now know as the West Coast IPA.
The West Coast IPA is characterized by its strong hop flavor and aroma, which is thanks to the large amount of hops that are used in the brewing process. West Coast IPAs are also generally light in color and have a moderate to high level of bitterness.
Many breweries on the West Coast have their own unique take on the style, so there is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to West Coast IPAs. However, they all share a common goal of being packed with flavor and aroma, while still being refreshing and easy to drink.
Are all New England IPA hazy?
No, not all New England IPAs are hazy. The New England IPA style developed out of the East Coast IPA, which is more of a clear and hoppy version of the traditional IPA. Today, many versions of NEIPA exist, with some being hazy, and some being more of the original clear version.
Brewers can choose to make them clear or hazy depending on their desired outcome. However, due to their popularity, the hazy version has become the expected style of NEIPA. Examples of versions of this style that are not hazy include the Treehouse Julius and Dark City’s Ebeneezer.
This style is also closely related to a Juicy IPA or a Hazy Pale Ale.