Try some West Coast IPAs. Pacific hops have less of that soapy bitterness with some pleasant tropical fruit notes. Galaxy is a particularly “juicy” variety, common in IPAs with “Space”, “Cosmic”, and other similar words in the name.
Comment on 7% ABV
dejected_warp_core@lemmy.world 3 weeks agoI’ve tried to enjoy IPAs, really. I’m not discounting the role of interesting terpenes and flavonoids here, but the raw in-your-face excessive bitterness of IPA-level hops pushes all that great stuff so far from the stage of my experience, that it’s all left waiting in the lobby to get seated. For me, it’s like someone mixed LaCroix, light beer, and a drop of dish soap in a glass. Every time.
agamemnonymous@sh.itjust.works 3 weeks ago
jewbacca117@lemmy.world 3 weeks ago
Other way around. West coast IPAs tend to be more bitter and resiny. NE IPAs are the hazy ones. Tend to be much fruitier and juicier.
agamemnonymous@sh.itjust.works 3 weeks ago
Both can be quite juicy, though you’re right. I should have focused on Pacific hops rather than West Coast styles, since they do feature resiny qualities in their fat hop schedules.
Rather than look at style, look for specific hops: Galaxy, Amarillo, Azaca, etc.
tacosplease@lemmy.world 3 weeks ago
Drink IPA without letting any air into your mouth and keep your tongue somewhat pressed against the roof of your mouth. It seems to block off the taste buds on top of the tongue and lets the beer wash around the sides of the tongue instead. This reduces the in-your-face bitterness and allows the secondary flavors to be noticed. At least that’s how I started appreciating IPAs.