Silver Linings

Silver Linings

We’re super excited to announce the upcoming release of our craftiest beer yet: a New England IPA!

boasting intense flavours of grapefruit, as well as tropical and citrus fruits from a heavy dry hop addition of Citra, Amarillo and Ekuanot, complemented with a velvety smooth texture from a large addition of oats and wheat.

Named Silver Linings as a reminder to always look on the bright side and celebrate the small wins throughout the day, even when that’s just a well deserved beer at the end of the day.

we’ve included a little light reading on NEIPA’s below for all the beer fans out there, and we’re celebrating the launch of our own by offering 20% off of your entire order with the pre-order code at the bottom of this post!

New England IPAs: Embracing Hazy Bliss in Craft Brewing

In the evolving landscape of craft brewing, New England IPAs (NEIPAs) have emerged as the bright, juicy stars, captivating beer enthusiasts with their haze and hop-forward profiles. These brews defy traditional IPA expectations, offering an experience that’s as refreshing as it is revolutionary.

The Hazy Origins

New England IPAs, often referred to simply as NEIPAs, originated from the New England region of the United States. Unlike their West Coast counterparts, NEIPAs are known for their hazy appearance and juicy flavours. This characteristic haze comes from the unique brewing process that emphasizes heavy dry hopping, and the use of certain low flocculating yeast strains, as well as a heavy dose of Beta Glucan rich cereals such as oats and wheat. all of these contribute to the styles characteristic cloudiness and smooth texture. The hazy appearance has even become a hallmark, signalling to consumers that they're about to enjoy something special.

Flavour Profiles: A Juicy Revelation

What sets NEIPAs apart is their distinct flavour profile. These beers are bursting with tropical fruit flavours like mango, pineapple, and citrus, thanks to the heavy use of aromatic hops and a higher than normal residual sweetness which makes our tastebuds perceive the hops flavours as much more vibrant, juicy and fruity than usual. Akin to how a nice sweet port can have much more pronounced notes of red berries and forest fruits than a dry red wine for example.

This perceived sweetness works two fold, firstly it brings the fruit aromas of the hops to life, as our brains need the presence of sweetness to perceive these flavours. if you try to imagine what strawberry jam would taste like without the sweetness our brains wouldn't be able to register the 'Strawberry' flavour at all, it's like imagining an olive without salt or a lemon without acidity. sweetness firstly completes the equation, and secondly it balances the bitterness of the hops to draw our attention back to the pleasant fruity flavours that are so enjoyable.

Despite the hop-forward nature, NEIPAs are surprisingly low in overall bitterness, which we can attribute to the late use of hops in the production process which favours bold hop flavour over bitterness, as well as the previously mentioned residual sweetness. Ultimately culminating a soft, creamy mouthfeel that makes each sip incredibly smooth and refreshing. It's like sipping a tropical fruit cocktail, but better because it’s beer!

Pairing Perfection

NEIPAs are versatile when it comes to food pairings. Their fruity and citrusy notes complement a wide range of dishes, from spicy foods to grilled seafood. Think of a NEIPA alongside spicy Thai cuisine or a plate of fresh shrimp tacos. The beer's acidity and sweetness balance out the heat and enhance the flavours of the dish, creating a harmonious dining experience.

The Craft Brewery Connection

For craft breweries, NEIPAs offer a playground for creativity, favouring frivolous use of the most aromatic hop varieties available, they are a craft breweries blank canvas to really showcase the quality and characteristics of a single hop, or their chosen blend of hops. This results in no two NEIPAs being alike due to the vast range of combinations available, whether it's citrus forward from Citra, coconutty due to Sabro, tropical thanks to Azacca, or intriguingly savoury owing to Zappa.

Coupling the above with the use of expressive yeasts which can exhibit their own fruity esters and even boost hop notes through the process of 'biotransformation', Brewers are able to express themselves through this style in so many different ways, the possibilities are endless and always exciting.

Embrace the Haze

Next time you’re in the market for beer don’t overlook the NEIPAs. Embrace the haze and dive into the juicy, aromatic world these beers offer. Whether you're a hophead or someone new to the craft beer scene, there's a NEIPA out there that's sure to entice your taste buds and leave you craving that next hazy sip, and we hope it can be ours, because when it comes to hazy beers, Silver Linings is a clear favourite.

Available for pre-order now with 20% off applied to the entire cart using code ‘PREORDER20’ – don’t miss out!

https://www.wapbrewing.co.uk/product-page/silver-linings-neipa