I've Tried Hundreds of Craft Beers. My Favorite Cheap Hazy IPA Is Widely Available in Grocery Stores
Warm weather is the perfect time to drink IPAs. This is especially true when it comes to the hazy New England-style IPA. First created by brewer John Kimmich at Vermont’s The Alchemist when he launched Heady Topper back in 2004, this style is known for its cloudy, sometimes unfiltered appearance and juicy flavor profile featuring notes of tropical fruits like ripe pineapples, mangos, passionfruit, papaya, tangerines, grapefruit, as well as light floral, hoppy flavors and aromas.
Unlike the well-known West Coast IPA, hazy (as they’re often called) is hoppy, but doesn’t have the sometimes aggressive bitter hop finish of its counterpart. Instead, it relies on a more balanced flavor profile, thanks to specialized yeast strains and dry-hopping.
The style has become a phenomenon in the two decades since The Alchemist Heady Topper was launched. From Tacoma to Tampa (and everywhere in between), you’ll likely find a brewery close by that makes at least one New England-style IPA. As a beer writer, I’ve tried hundreds (if not more) hazy IPAs in the last 20 years. One of my favorites is a grocery store IPA brewed in Oregon.
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Before I get into the beer itself, I think it’s important to talk about the brewery it comes from. Rogue Ales & Spirits has been crafting award-winning, industry-changing beers since its opening in 1988. For those keeping score, back then there were only around 124 craft breweries in the U.S. Yes, you read that right. And while the brewery has made countless memorable beers over the years, none has a place in my beer-drenched heart like Rogue Batsquatch.
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Named for the mythical Batsquatch believed to be inhabiting the woods around Mount St. Helens, Rogue Batsquatch is a juicy New England-style IPA that's not to be overlooked. In a world of over-the-top craft brewery-produced hazy IPAs, Batsquatch is a classic, balanced, fruity brew you’ll want to add to your refrigerator in perpetuity.
This award-winning beer is brewed with 2-row malts, flaked wheat, malted wheat, and oats. Made with “free-range coastal water,” it’s fermented with Imperial Juice yeast. It gets its memorable hop aroma and flavor from the use of Mosaic, El Dorado, and Belma hops.
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And while the can is eye-catching with the titular winged creature overlooking rugged mountain terrain, the beer inside is most memorable. Before you even take a sip, the beer itself is a thing of beauty. It’s dark golden, like early morning sunshine, and perfectly cloudy. The nose is a mix of mango, candied orange peels, lemon, wet grass, and caramelized pineapple with just a wisp of dank pine. The palate is a symphony of flavors, including caramel malts, citrus peels, ripe mango, papaya, juice pineapple, passion fruit, and a finish of floral, sticky pine. There’s a bit of a dry prickle from the hops, but almost no bitterness. It’s fruity, creamy, and leaves you craving more.
The best part? While there’s a chance you can find a well-made hazy IPA at your local craft brewery, Rogue Batsquatch is available in most places that sell beer. You don’t have to track down this gem. Additionally, in a beer world flooded with $20 four-packs, you can grab a six-pack of Rogue Batsquatch for around $12 to 13. If you ask me, that’s quite a deal.
So, next time, instead of buying your usual hazy IPA, buy a six-pack of Rogue Batsquatch. Give it a try. Even drink it side by side with your favorite New England-style IPA. I guarantee you’ll find a new go-to hazy. And you don’t even need to study cryptozoology to enjoy it.