Craft beer drinkers in the Philippines have been long acquainted with the India Pale Ale (IPA) thanks to the local brewers. However, the earlier versions of these beers in the country take after the classic American IPA. The Beer Judge Certification Program (BJCP) defines these beers in their 2015 Beer Style Guidelines* as decidedly hoppy and bitter, moderately strong American pale ales that showcase modern American or New World hop varieties. In the craft beer lexicon, the terms “West Coast-style IPA” and “East Coast-style IPA” are used frequently. These informally refer to American IPAs specifically subcategorized further based on geographical influence way before New England IPAs (NEIPAs) rose to stardom. While the BJCP does not recognize these two disaggregations, “West Coast-style IPA” is the colloquial term used to refer to these hoppy and bitter IPAs here in the Philippines. It is usually the pronounced level of hop bitterness that takes a while to get used to and is often one of the reasons why craft beer newbies could not tolerate this classic IPA.
Though the “West Coast-Style IPA” has already cemented its place in the hearts and minds of aficionados in the country, the rise of the NEIPA offers more options to drinkers. The NEIPA is a relatively new style that emerged in the New England region of the United States sometime in 2010 and is often attributed to Heady Topper, a beer brewed by the Vermont-based brewery, The Alchemist. Since then, this beer style has become the antithesis of the classic bitter American IPA. Based on the provisional guidelines of the BJCP*, the New England IPA is an American IPA with intense fruit flavors and aromas, a soft body, a smooth mouthfeel, and is often opaque with substantial haze. These beers are perceived to be less bitter than the traditional IPAs but are always massively hop-forward. This style is also known for its specific “juicy” character which is attributed to the dry-hopping technique used.
In short, NEIPAs are hazy juice-like beers— a stark contrast to their “West Coast” counterparts. The rapid ascension of the style has gained a cult-like following not just in the United States, but also around the world. Today, this phenomenon is known as the “Haze Craze.”
*The information presented here were lifted as of this writing. Style guidelines may change without further notice. The most current version of the guidelines can be found on the BJCP website.
In the Philippines, The Marc’s & Tony Brewing Company (MT Brewing) is becoming synonymous with the New England IPA. However, head brewer Tony Sindayen did not enter the craft beer scene with hazy beers. In fact, Tony’s first releases were porters, dark beers with balanced roasted and bitter characteristics. This was a bold move given that dark beers do not generally suit Manila’s tropical climate. It was not until September 2018 when Tony entered the hazy beer world with his Lemon Berry Squeezy New England IPA.
The latest craze from Tony is the tandem release of Hop Bombs and Tropic Jam. The pair finally made its appearance a month after the successful can release of Andromeda, a cryo-hopped NEIPA. (Check out our review here.) Just like the previous releases by MT Brewing, the two NEIPAs had been wiped out fast— 200 cans in six hours. Hop Bombs and Tropic Jam demonstrated how Tony can blur the lines by pursuing two NEIPAs with two directions — the hop-driven side (New England IPA base style) and the fruity-tarty side (a Fruit Beer with New England IPA as the base style).
Without a doubt, the Haze Craze is a hit in the Philippines. With a market already acquainted with the classic American IPA, the juice-like New England IPA allowed for a refreshing alternative. Further, with a tropical climate and a craft beer scene that is becoming more inclusive, drinkable beers that evoke flavors of tropical fruits have their place in taprooms, dinner tables, and in a cooler on the beach.
“Hop Bombs” New England IPA (6.5% ABV)
The first of the duo is formulated using four hop varieties. Three varieties are from the United States: the fruity Mosaic, the citrusy Citra, and the versatile Cascade. Meanwhile, the fourth variety is the highly-coveted Australian variety, Galaxy.
STYLE GUIDELINES
This beer is being evaluated as a Specialty IPA: New England IPA (21B) in the context of the provisional guidelines of the BJCP for the said beer style. The most current version of the guidelines can be found on the BJCP website.
TASTING NOTES
Hop Bombs pours a murky orange-yellow color. Initial nose returns notes of alcohol, with slight fruity-acidic hints of mango and guava. Warmer, the beer opens up with more mangoes and fruit pastries. This beer is named Hop Bombs for a reason. With a medium-body, this NEIPA has prominent piney and vegetal hop bitterness. Slight hop burn is present. Some citrus acidity plays underneath to balance the bitterness. Back-end, sweet bready notes cross with spicy notes. This spiciness continues after a sip, joined by lingering pine and medicinal bitterness.
THE VERDICT
Overall, Hop Bombs is a West Coast IPA in NEIPA clothing. One of Tony’s hoppiest beers to date, Hop Bombs demonstrates how far he can go with his hazy beers.
“Tropic Jam” Fruited New England IPA (6.9% ABV)
STYLE GUIDELINES
This beer is being evaluated as a Fruit Beer (29A) with the Specialty IPA: New England IPA (21B) as the base style in the context of the 2015 Beer Style Guidelines of the BJCP. Note that the Specialty IPA: New England is a provisional style as of this writing, with its working definition published on the BJCP website. The most current version of the guidelines can be found on the BJCP website.
TASTING NOTES
Brewed with Galaxy hops and dragon fruit, Tropic Jam looks like watermelon juice in a glass. Aromas of papaya, cantaloupe, strawberries, and indistinct overripe fruits come strong. Faint alcohol notes are also present, but not too distracting.
Tropic Jam is a medium-bodied beer with flavors evoking sweet strawberries, sour pomelos, lemons, guavas, and pineapples. The sourness from the tropical fruits starts to compose the palate towards the end. The beer leaves a dry finish of bready and caramel notes.
THE VERDICT
Overall, Tropic Jam is the ideal beer for your friends new to craft beer and the Haze Craze. With a profile so palatable and an aesthetic so appealing, Tropic Jam alone can tell the story of how hazy beers took over the world by storm.
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