Sonic Bloom (2021 edition)

Sonic boom? No, sonic bloom.

For this hazy IPA, we wanted to create a taste explosion that blooms on the tongue—a balanced interplay of flavors, evolving with each sip. Tropical fruit and citrus notes dominate the palate, and a restrained bitterness provides balance.

The basis for the recipe is a fuller-bodied blend of millet and rice malts that lends a moderate sweetness, to which we add some seriously fruity hops: tropical notes from Sabro and Idaho 7, citrus and stone fruit from Simcoe. The result is an eminently drinkable IPA that is both juicy and floral.

In many ways, this beer is designed to be a contrast to the “bigger is better” approach to hazy IPAs: we wanted to give each component of the beer enough space to shine, especially the hops.

It’s a tricky thing to make beers with large doses of hops. More is not always better—sometimes, more actually gives you less flavor. The true art of the hazy IPA is about finding that magical spot where the unique characteristics of the hops come together to make a beer better than the sum of its parts.

Not to mention the role of malt and yeast! They affect the sweetness, acidity, and ester profile of the beer, all of which influence the bouquet of hop flavors in your glass.