A photograph showing six varied glasses of beer lined up on a dark wooden bar counter. From left to right: a clear golden lager, a stemmed hazy orange-amber ale, a clear golden IPA, a dark brown ale, a stemmed black stout, and a reddish-orange hazy ale. The warm, blurred background features rows of bottles. Overlayed in the top center is white text that reads 'The Ultimate IPA Field Guide: From Haze to Hops', surrounded by light-colored illustrations of hop cones and leaves.

The Ultimate IPA Field Guide: From Haze to Hops

19/04/2026 By nearestbeershop.com Off

1. The NEIPA (New England IPA)

The Vibe: Hazy, juicy, and incredibly smooth. What to expect: Often called “juice-bombs,” these are thick, opaque, and bursting with tropical flavours like mango, passion fruit, and citrus. Because of the way they are hopped, they have almost zero bitterness and a signature “pillowy” mouthfeel.

Try this if: You want a smooth, fruit-forward beer without the bitter “bite.”

2. The West Coast IPA

The Vibe: Clear, bitter, and resinous. What to expect: The original craft classic. These are usually crystal clear with a distinctive “snap” of bitterness on the finish. Expect piney, citrusy, and floral notes—the kind of beer that leaves your palate feeling refreshed.

Try this if: You like a crisp beer with a clean, hoppy punch.

3. The Black IPA (Cascadian Dark Ale)

The Vibe: A total “mind-game” in a glass. What to expect: It looks like a Stout but drinks like a West Coast IPA. You get the deep, dark colour and a hint of roasted malt (think light cocoa or coffee), but the main event is the massive, piney hop profile. It’s a brilliant contradiction.

Try this if: You love the depth of dark beers but still want that hoppy “zing.”

4. The Belgian IPA

The Vibe: “Old World” yeast meets “New World” hops. What to expect: A cross between a classic Belgian Tripel and a punchy IPA. The specific Belgian yeast adds spicy, peppery, or even fruity “ester” notes that dance alongside the modern, citrusy hops. They are often high in ABV and very complex.

Try this if: You’re a fan of Belgian ales but want a bigger hop hit.

5. The DIPA (Double IPA)

The Vibe: Big, bold, and high-intensity. What to expect: Also known as an Imperial IPA. “Double” means more of everything: more malt, more hops, and a higher ABV (usually 7.5% to 9.0%). They are rich, slightly sweet, and incredibly satisfying.

Try this if: You want a slow-sipping beer with a lot of depth and a warming finish.

6. The Session IPA

The Vibe: All the flavour, half the ABV. What to expect: Designed for “sessions”—packing a hoppy punch but sitting at a lower ABV (usually 3% to 4.5%). They are light-bodied and refreshing, making them the perfect “all-day” craft beer.

Try this if: You want the hop fix without the heavy head the next morning.

7. The Specialty IPA (Fruit & Sour)

The Vibe: Experimental, tart, and refreshing. What to expect: This is where the rules get broken. Whether it’s a “Sour IPA” with a sharp, tangy finish or a “Fruit IPA” brewed with real fruit purée, these are the ultimate summer refreshers.

Try this if: You want something radically different and incredibly bright.

Ready to find your new favourite?

The best way to find your style is to taste your way through the spectrum. Our stock rotates almost daily, with fresh drops arriving from the best independent breweries in Wales and beyond.

Pop into the shop in Bridgend to see what’s fresh in the fridge today.

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