LB-088 Founders IPA 2024 - Hazy Days
Some people have a natural antipathy toward hazy IPAs... while we toyed with the idea of hiding the haze under a midnight malt, in the end, we opted to let the haze shine through and trust that the resulting brew will win over a convert or two.
The 2024 version of our Founders IPA explores the world of hazy IPAs (aka NEIPA)... a world that we had often treated with disdain. We found too many marketplace examples of poor design, poor execution and a tendency to compensate for these failings through the addition of fruit juice.
Our goal was to drive tropical flavor and aroma through yeast selection and aggressive late and dry hopping. We selected grains, yeast and hops known for imparting or accentuating tropical fruit flavor and aroma. The haze is a byproduct of those choices.
For the first time since the "before times" we were graced by our emeriti... the esoteric Ned Ludd the Churlish and the imitable Alicia the Valiant. Given that brew day also marked another annual journey for Ned, we felt compelled to create a name and label to reflect that milestone (that's "mile" not "mill"!).
Unlike Ned... this beer is not intended to age. Grab it while it is cold and young.
See the working recipe here.