Hazy 8 Double IPA by Gnarly Barley Brewing Co. is a Double Hazy IPA and is being evaluated as a Double IPA (category 22A in the 2021 BJCP Beer Style Guidelines). The focus of the Double IPA style is hops, hops and more hops. Additionally, despite being a high-alcohol content style, Double IPAs are fairly drinkable and lack a heavy malty body, which are more typical traits of beers of these strengths. Hazy IPAs are known for their juicy/tropical fruit/citrusy hop-forward character, hazy appearance, and lighter-than-typical American IPA bitterness. Hazy 8 was brewed with Citra Cryo and Nelson Sauvin hops and measures in at 8.7% ABV.

Hazy 8 pours straw in color, is very hazy and sports a small white head. The aroma is prominent resiny and citrusy hops with a hint of dankness; no malt or esters are detected. The flavor is moderately strong resiny, piney and citrusy hops with a hint of malt. The beer finishes moderately light in bitterness with moderate citrusy and resiny hops.

Hazy 8 is a very good hazy double IPA. The hops are prominent, the body is smooth and the finish is subtly bitter. The hop flavors are more aggressive than prototypical hazy IPAs, so think West Coast hop philosophy (minus the bitterness) in a Hazy IPA.