NATIONAL HAZY IPA DAY
Each year during the third Thursday in August, we raise a glass to National Hazy IPA Day and enjoy the juicy and hoppy flavors found in Hazy IPAs. Once an obscure beer style, Hazy IPAs are now among the most popular craft beers in the country.
#HAZYIPADAY
A Hazy IPA is a style of beer that is an off-shoot of the modern American-style India Pale Ale or American IPA. Often characterized by their cloudy or hazy appearance, Hazy IPAs provide a wide range of juicy flavor profiles. These flavors are often sweet and more approachable than traditional IPAs. A beer’s flavor depends on the ingredients used during the brewing process, and IPAs, including Hazy IPAs, are known for their hop-forward flavors and aromas. National Hazy IPA Day gives the perfect opportunity to enjoy a Hazy IPA, plus explore the different vibrant hop flavors found in this beer style.
Did You Know?
IPA beer stands for India Pale Ale beer. During the 18th Century, exporters of beer would add hops to the recipes to help preserve beer in hotter climates. The hops would allow the beer to maintain its flavor and help it stay fresher during ocean journeys.
The color and haziness of a Hazy IPA depends on malt, grains, and other ingredients used in the brewing process. Unlike traditional IPA styles, which are clear, Hazy IPAs are unfiltered to retain flavorful particulates and compounds from the hops used in the brewing process. In addition, Hazy IPAs are cloudy or hazy in appearance. They typically have a velvety pillowy mouthfeel and feature prominent juicy and aromatic flavors from the hops. Traditional IPA beer styles are typically filtered so the beer appears clear, or see-through in a glass.
The Hazy IPA beer style originated in the New England region of the U.S. in the early 2000s. Later, the “haze craze” spread to the West Coast resulting in the beer style exploding in popularity. Today it’s likely that any brewery you visit will have a hazy IPA on tap.
6 HAZY IPA FACTS
Hops are the flowers from the hop plant that are primarily used as a bittering, flavoring, and stability agent in beer. Hops plants are dioecious, meaning there are separate male and female plants. Only female hop plants are used in beer brewing.
IPA beers, including Hazy IPAs, derive many flavors from the prominent use of hops during the brewing process. Common hop flavors include citrus, bitter, earthy, fruity, and even floral.
There are more than 250 varieties of cataloged hops. Each variety has its own flavor and aroma properties.
Hazy IPAs pair well with food. Interestingly, the bitterness of Hazy IPAs helps balance out spicy food and cleanse the palate quickly.
Hazy IPA was the second most-entered beer style category at the Great American Beer Festival in 2022.
Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. released the first nationally available Hazy IPA in 2018, called Hazy Little Thing IPA. Today, Hazy Little Thing IPA is the number one selling Hazy IPA in the U.S.
RAISE A GLASS ON NATIONAL HAZY IPA DAY
National Hazy IPA Day presents several opportunities to enjoy this delicious beer style.
Order a Hazy IPA flight at your local beer bar to sample different examples of Hazy IPAs.
Enjoy a pint of Hazy IPA with family and friends. Don't forget to raise a glass in celebration of one of the most popular modern styles of beer.
Visit a local brewery to learn about the process of making beer, including Hazy IPA beers.
Share photos of you and your friends enjoying Hazy IPA on social media tagging #HazyIPADay.
HISTORY OF NATIONAL HAZY IPA DAY
National Day Calendar began working with the Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. in 2023 to establish National Hazy IPA Day. Beginning on August 17, 2023, we will celebrate National Hazy IPA Day on the third Thursday in August each year.
Founder of National Hazy IPA Day
Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. was established in 1980 by Ken Grossman in Chico, California. The company quickly became famous for its hop-forward beers. The brewery offers its original Pale Ale, Torpedo Extra IPA, Hazy Little Thing, and many other beers. Sierra Nevada also brews a host of seasonal and specialty beers like Summerfest, Oktoberfest, and Celebration Fresh Hop IPA.
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**ALWAYS DRINK RESPONSIBLY AND NEVER DRINK AND DRIVE.