If you’re a fan of Sierra Nevada’s Hazy Little Thing IPA, you’re probably always on the lookout for other beers that share its signature hazy, juicy character.
In this post, we’ll explore five alternatives to Hazy Little Thing that are sure to please your palate.
We’ll dive into the origins and brewing methods behind each beer, and I’ll share my personal tasting experiences.
By the end, you’ll be ready to venture out and explore these fantastic brews for yourself.
Here’s the list of beers we’ll be covering:
- New England Brewing Company’s Sea Hag IPA
- Great Notion Brewing’s Juice Box Double IPA
- Tree House Brewing Company’s Julius IPA
- Trillium Brewing Company’s Congress Street IPA
- Alchemist Brewery’s Heady Topper Double IPA
Without further ado, let’s dive into these Hazy Little Thing alternatives!
1. Sea Hag IPA
Origins and Brew Method
Our first alternative to Hazy Little Thing is Sea Hag IPA, brewed by New England Brewing Company in Woodbridge, Connecticut. Founded in 2001, this brewery has made a name for itself with its innovative and high-quality beers. Sea Hag IPA is one of their flagships, and it’s a fantastic example of the New England-style IPA.
Sea Hag is brewed with a mix of American and English malts, which give it a slightly more robust malt character than some other New England-style IPAs. It’s also hopped with a hefty dose of American hops, including the ever-popular Citra, which contributes to its tropical fruit-forward flavor profile.
Flavor Profile and Tasting Experience
As a hazy IPA, Sea Hag pours with a cloudy golden hue and a creamy, white head. On the nose, you’ll pick up notes of citrus, tropical fruit, and a hint of pine. The first sip delivers a burst of juicy hop flavor, with grapefruit, orange, and mango leading the charge. There’s also a pleasant malt backbone that adds a touch of sweetness and balances out the hop bitterness. Overall, it’s a delicious and refreshing IPA that’s perfect for fans of Hazy Little Thing.
2. Juice Box Double IPA
Origins and Brew Method
Next up is Juice Box Double IPA from Great Notion Brewing in Portland, Oregon. Founded in 2015, Great Notion has quickly become a powerhouse in the craft beer industry, known for its innovative and fruit-forward beers. Juice Box is one of their most popular offerings and is a prime example of a hazy, New England-style double IPA.
Juice Box is brewed with a variety of hops, including Citra, Mosaic, and El Dorado. These hops are known for their fruity and citrusy characteristics, which contribute to the beer’s juicy flavor profile. The brewing process also incorporates a significant amount of oats, which lend the beer its signature hazy appearance and silky mouthfeel.
Flavor Profile and Tasting Experience
Juice Box pours a hazy, golden-orange color with a frothy white head. The aroma is bursting with tropical fruit, citrus, and a touch of pine. The taste follows suit, with flavors of orange, mango, and pineapple dominating the palate. There’s a subtle sweetness from the malt, and the oats provide a smooth, velvety texture. Despite its 8% ABV, Juice Box is dangerously drinkable and is sure to satisfy any Hazy Little Thing fan.
3. Julius IPA
Origins and Brew Method
Our third alternative is Julius IPA, brewed by Tree House Brewing Company in Charlton, Massachusetts. Tree House is well-known for its hazy, New England-style IPAs, and Julius is one of their most popular offerings. This brewery has been producing top-notch beers since 2011 and has amassed a loyal following among craft beer enthusiasts.
Julius is brewed with a blend of American hops, including Citra, Amarillo, and Mosaic. The brewing process places a heavy emphasis on late hop additions and dry hopping, which results in a beer that’s packed with hop flavor and aroma but has relatively low bitterness.
Flavor Profile and Tasting Experience
Pouring a hazy, deep orange color with a fluffy white head, Julius is a feast for the senses. The aroma is packed with notes of citrus, tropical fruit, and a hint of dankness. On the palate, you’ll find flavors of orange, mango, and peach, along with a subtle malt sweetness that helps balance out the hop flavors. The mouthfeel is soft and silky, making it an incredibly smooth and drinkable IPA. Julius is an excellent choice for Hazy Little Thing fans looking to explore the world of New England-style IPAs.
4. Congress Street IPA
Origins and Brew Method
Our fourth alternative is Congress Street IPA, brewed by Trillium Brewing Company in Boston, Massachusetts. Trillium is another brewery that’s become synonymous with hazy, New England-style IPAs, and Congress Street is one of their flagship offerings. Founded in 2013, Trillium has quickly gained a reputation for producing some of the best IPAs in the country.
Congress Street is brewed primarily with Galaxy hops, an Australian variety known for its intense fruity and citrusy characteristics. The beer also features a hefty dose of oats, which, as with the other beers on this list, contributes to its hazy appearance and smooth mouthfeel.
Flavor Profile and Tasting Experience
Congress Street pours a hazy, golden-yellow color with a dense white head. The aroma is dominated by notes of citrus, tropical fruit, and a touch of grassiness. The flavor profile is equally impressive, with juicy notes of grapefruit, passion fruit, and pineapple leading the way.
There’s also a subtle malt sweetness that balances out the hop flavors, making for a well-rounded and incredibly drinkable IPA. Congress Street IPA is a must-try for any Hazy Little Thing enthusiast.
5. Heady Topper Double IPA
Origins and Brew Method
Last but certainly not least, we have Heady Topper Double IPA from Alchemist Brewery in Stowe, Vermont. While Heady Topper predates the New England-style IPA craze, it’s often considered one of the progenitors of the style. Alchemist has been producing this highly sought-after beer since 2003, and it remains one of the most iconic examples of a hazy IPA.
Heady Topper is brewed with a blend of American hops, including Simcoe, Amarillo, and Centennial. The brewing process emphasizes late hop additions and dry hopping, which results in a beer that’s bursting with hop flavor and aroma but has relatively low bitterness.
Flavor Profile and Tasting Experience
Heady Topper pours a hazy, golden-orange color with a frothy white head. The aroma is packed with notes of citrus, pine, and tropical fruit. The taste follows suit, with flavors of grapefruit, tangerine, and pineapple dominating the palate.
There’s also a subtle malt sweetness that helps balance out the hop flavors. Despite its 8% ABV, Heady Topper is incredibly drinkable and is an excellent option for Hazy Little Thing fans looking to explore the world of hazy IPAs.
Conclusion
In this post, we’ve explored five fantastic alternatives to Sierra Nevada’s Hazy Little Thing IPA. Each of these beers shares Hazy Little Thing’s signature hazy, juicy character, but they also offer their own unique flavor profiles and brewing methods.
If you’re a fan of Hazy Little Thing, I highly recommend giving these beers a try. You won’t be disappointed.
My personal recommendation from this list would be Tree House Brewing Company’s Julius IPA.
Its incredible balance of juicy hop flavors and smooth mouthfeel make it a standout in the world of hazy IPAs.
Cheers!
