What Is a Hazy IPA? The Complete Beginner’s Guide

Introduction

If you’ve noticed a surge in cloudy, fruit-forward, aggressively aromatic beers over the last few years, you’ve been watching the rise of the Hazy IPA — arguably the most popular beer style of the past decade. Here’s everything you need to know, including why they look the way they do, why they taste the way they taste, and which ones to try first.

What makes an IPA ‘hazy’?

Traditional IPAs are clear — the brewing process includes steps specifically designed to clarify the beer and remove proteins and yeast. Hazy IPAs, also known as New England IPAs (NEIPAs), deliberately skip those steps. The cloudiness comes from suspended proteins, yeast, and hop compounds left in the beer. Far from being a flaw, this haziness is a sign of a particular brewing philosophy: prioritise aroma and mouthfeel over appearance. The result is a beer that looks like cloudy apple juice and smells like a tropical fruit market.

Why do they taste so different from regular IPAs?

Standard IPAs get their bitterness from hops added early in the brewing process. Hazy IPAs use a technique called dry hopping — adding hops after fermentation, when there’s no heat to drive off the volatile aroma compounds. The hops provide intense tropical and citrus aromas (mango, passionfruit, peach, grapefruit) without the harsh bitterness. This makes Hazy IPAs approachable for people who usually find IPAs too bitter, while still delivering that unmistakable hop character.

What does DDH mean?

DDH stands for Double Dry Hopped — meaning the dry hopping process happens twice. More hops, more aroma, more intensity. DDH beers tend to have an almost juice-like quality. If you see a beer labelled DDH DIPA (Double Dry Hopped Double IPA), expect something very strong, very aromatic, and very good. The Sureshot Vol.400 DDH DIPA on our site is a perfect example.

Which Hazy IPAs should I try first?

For beginners, start with something sessionable and approachable: Verdant’s Lightbulb IPA is one of the most celebrated examples in the UK — tropical, hazy, and endlessly drinkable. Polly’s Brew Co produce some of the finest hazy pales and IPAs in the country. For something more intense, DEYA’s Steady Rolling Man is a benchmark for the style. All are available at The Beer Garage.

Does hazy mean it’s gone off?

No — this is a common misconception. The cloudiness in a Hazy IPA is intentional and is a sign of a fresh, well-made beer, not a spoiled one. What you should watch out for is unusual vinegar or sour notes in a beer that’s not supposed to be sour — that’s a sign of infection. A Hazy IPA should smell fresh, fruity, and intensely hoppy. If it smells like a fruit salad, you’re doing well.

Browse our full range of Hazy IPAs and NEIPAs at The Beer Garage → thebeergarage.co.uk/ipas