The New England IPA is officially a thing. The Brewers Association recently released their 2018 Style Guidelines and included three new categories capturing New England's great gift to tap room trends: the Juicy or Hazy Pale Ale, IPA, or Double IPA. Yes, a full 30% of the association's 10 categories of Pale or India Pale Ales attempt to describe the darling of Instagraming craft drinkers by binning them by relative strength. Old Nation's M-43 : a New England IPA brewed in Michigan These beers are startlingly photogenic. And offer an easily accessible flavor palate for a hop forward beer. Aroma is the key. Dry hopping, and late additions are used to craft a bouquet of fruit flavors without imparting too much bitterness. The beers are actually quiet sweet - with a clean malt bill, and unfermentable sugars from lactose or hazy adjuncts like oats and wheat. One of the great ironies of the style is that its noted progenitor, Heady Topp...
Enjoyed simply, or thoughtfully, beer is a complete refreshment.