The IPA (or some form of it) is arguably the most popular craft beer style in the country. It doesn’t matter where you live, your neighborhood bar has an IPA (or two) on draft right alongside the local lager your dad has been drinking since Dukakis was running for office. Also known as the India Pale Ale, the IPA is identified by a slightly bitter (sometimes really bitter), floral (occasionally dank) flavor.
People crush this hopped up beer varietal from San Diego to St. Petersburgh, but not everyone loves them. That’s why we’re constantly striving to introduce you to the world of sour beers, wheat beers, Mexican lagers, German lagers, craft lagers, stouts & porters (what’s the difference?), and even radlers and shandies. But with today being National IPA Day, we thought we’d show you some of the less hoppy IPAs on the market.
These are the more nuanced, juicy, sweet, citrus-like IPAs — perfect for a palate that feels overwhelmed by dank hop bombs. Check them out below!
Founders All Day IPA
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bl4QgJVgRZk/?tagged=foundersalldayipa
We would never tell anyone that it’s okay to drink beer all day. But, this 4.7 percent session ale got its name because it’s low in alcohol and extremely balanced. Unlike some IPAs that are dominated by hops, this brew is balanced out by strong malt presence.
Bluepoint Hazy Bastard
https://www.instagram.com/p/BhU81A9lZ1h/?tagged=bluepointhazybastard
In recent years, the New England-Style IPA has become to “it” beer. This juicy, hazy, floral style was a direct response to drinkers growing tired of bitter, hoppy beers. Bluepoint’s version is exactly what you expect from the style. It’s hazy, juicy, hoppy, and full of citrus sweetness.
21st Amendment Down To Earth
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This 4.4 percent offering from San Francisco’s 21st Amendment takes a cue from the All Day IPA in that it’s session-able, light, and low in alcohol. What it lacks in alcohol, it makes up for in flavor. Intentionally less hoppy than its Bitter American, Down To Earth gets its flavor from a variety of malts and dry hopping.
Lawson’s Sip of Sunshine
https://www.instagram.com/p/BjAtMkOlX6u/?tagged=lawsonssipofsunshine
If you’re lucky enough to find this beer, you’re in for a real treat. Unlike some of the other beers on this list, this is definitely not a session ale. At eight percent alcohol, this juicy, tropical, floral, hoppy beer should be given the respect it deserves.
New Belgium Voodoo Ranger Juicy Haze
https://www.instagram.com/p/Beb15jcgGYO/?tagged=voodoorangerjuicyhazeipa
You pretty much already know what you’re getting into before you open up a bottle of this beer. The name sums it up. This is a 7.5 percent hazy, unfiltered IPA. Like many of the New England-Style IPAs, it’s a “juice bomb” with tropical fruit and citrus flavors.
Two Roads Two Juicy
This 8.2 percent double IPA is unfiltered, cloudy and, just as the name says, juicy. For someone who has never sipped on an NE-Style IPA, the term “juicy” might be confusing. The beer itself looks almost like orange juice and the flavors is similar to an IPA, but instead of the bitter aftertaste, you get a sweet, floral, juice-like flavor with hints of grapefruit and orange.
Sierra Nevada Hazy Little Thing
https://www.instagram.com/p/BlThmonnJ13/?tagged=sierranevadahazylittlething
Part of the appeal of Hazy Little Thing, on top of being a delicious beer, is that when it gets to your glass it’s as fresh as possible. That’s because it’s unfiltered and unprocessed. That also means that to enjoy this brew, you need to crack it open and drink it right away.
Bell’s Two-Hearted
One of the most popular IPAs you can find just about anywhere, Two-Hearted is made using Centennial hops. This gives it a major hop presence and hints of grapefruit and pine without being overly bitter and in your face.
