Hazy IPA vs. West Coast IPA: What's the Difference?

The biggest difference between a Hazy IPA and a West Coast IPA is how they balance hop flavour and bitterness. Hazy IPAs like Beau's Juiced AF are typically soft, juicy and fruit-forward, with lower perceived bitterness. West Coast IPAs are generally clearer, crisper and more bitter, with classic citrus and pine hop character.

Hazy IPA vs. West Coast IPA at a Glance

Of course, beer doesn't always like being put into neat little boxes. Brewers are constantly bending, blending and rethinking styles. But as a general rule, this is a pretty good place to start.

What Is a Hazy IPA?

Hazy IPAs are all about getting as much hop flavour and aroma into your glass as possible, without making the beer taste like you've just licked a pine tree.

They're typically cloudy in appearance, with a soft mouthfeel and big notes of tropical and citrus fruit. Think pineapple, peach, mango and orange, depending on the hops doing the heavy lifting.

The haze isn't just there for looks. Ingredients like wheat and oats can contribute to that cloudy appearance and give the beer a softer, creamier mouthfeel.

And then there's the hopping.

Hazy IPAs tend to put a lot of emphasis on late hopping and dry hopping, helping brewers pull out loads of hop aroma and flavour without necessarily piling on the same level of bitterness you'd find in a traditional West Coast IPA.

Meet Juiced AF

Our take on the Hazy IPA is Juiced AF, a 6.5% ABV beer brewed for maximum hop flavour and minimum "why is this so bitter?" thoughts.

It's hazy, juicy and packed with tropical fruit character, with notes of pineapple, peach and citrus. Wheat and oats help give it that soft, silky mouthfeel you'd expect from a Hazy IPA.

It's also 30 IBU, putting it on the softer side of the bitterness scale.

Basically, if you want your IPA to bring the hops without bringing the bitterness to the party quite as aggressively, Juiced AF is your friend.

What Is a West Coast IPA?

West Coast IPAs take a different approach.

They're generally clear, crisp and unapologetically hoppy. Where Hazy IPAs tend to emphasize juicy fruit and a softer mouthfeel, West Coast IPAs are known for bold bitterness and classic hop flavours like grapefruit, citrus, pine and resin.

They're often drier and more bitter, with a clean finish that lets the hops take centre stage.

If Hazy IPAs are all about turning the volume up on juicy hop flavour, West Coast IPAs crank up the hops and give the bitterness the main stage.

Neither is better. They're just very different ways of showing off what hops can do.

Hazy IPA vs. West Coast IPA: How Do They Taste Different?

This is probably the biggest difference you'll notice when you take a sip.

Hazy IPA

Hazy IPAs tend to lean into:

• Tropical fruit

• Citrus

• Peach

• Mango

• Juicy hop flavour

• Softer bitterness

• A smooth, fuller mouthfeel

They're often a good choice if you want a beer that's hop-forward without the sharp bitterness.

West Coast IPA

West Coast IPAs tend to bring:

• Grapefruit

• Citrus peel

• Pine

• Resinous hop character

• More bitterness

• A crisp, dry finish

They're a good fit if you like your hops bold, bitter and unmistakable.

Which Is More Bitter: Hazy IPA or West Coast IPA?

Generally speaking, West Coast IPAs are more bitter than Hazy IPAs.

That's not to say every West Coast IPA will be more bitter than every Hazy IPA. Beer styles have a funny habit of refusing to follow rules.

But the two styles approach hops differently.

West Coast IPAs traditionally use hops in ways that emphasize bitterness as well as flavour and aroma. Hazy IPAs tend to focus more heavily on late hopping and dry hopping, pulling out big hop flavour and aroma while keeping the perceived bitterness softer.

That's part of what makes a beer like Juiced AF so juicy without turning your tongue inside out.

Why Are Hazy IPAs Cloudy?

The clue is in the name.

Hazy IPAs are intentionally brewed to have a cloudy or opaque appearance. Wheat and oats can contribute proteins that help create that haze, while the beer's hop-forward brewing process can add to the effect.

So no, your Juiced AF isn't cloudy because something went wrong. That's the point.

The haze is part of the style, along with the soft mouthfeel and big tropical hop character.

Which IPA Should You Try?

Honestly? Depends what you're into.

Reach for a Hazy IPA if you like:

🍍 Tropical fruit
🍊 Citrus
🍑 Peachy flavours
🌿 Big hop aroma
☁️ A soft, silky mouthfeel
🍺 Less aggressive bitterness

Reach for a West Coast IPA if you like:

🌲 Pine
🍊 Grapefruit and citrus
🌿 Resinous hop character
🍺 A crisp finish
💥 More pronounced bitterness

And if you're somewhere in the first camp, there's always Juiced AF.

So, Hazy IPA or West Coast IPA?

There's no wrong answer here.

West Coast IPAs bring the bitterness, the pine, the citrus and that classic crisp hop punch. Hazy IPAs take those hops in a softer, juicier direction, with more emphasis on tropical fruit, aroma and mouthfeel.

They're two different ways of showing off the same ingredient we love to obsess over: hops.

And if you're looking for a Hazy IPA that's juicy, tropical and unapologetically hazy, you know where to start.

That's Juiced AF.

Hazy IPA vs. West Coast IPA FAQs

Is a Hazy IPA less bitter than a West Coast IPA?

Generally, yes. Hazy IPAs tend to have softer perceived bitterness, while West Coast IPAs are typically more bitter and crisp. That said, bitterness varies from beer to beer.

What does a Hazy IPA taste like?

Hazy IPAs are typically juicy and fruit-forward, with flavours and aromas ranging from tropical fruit and citrus to peach and mango. They also tend to have a softer, fuller mouthfeel.

What does a West Coast IPA taste like?

West Coast IPAs are typically crisp and bitter, with hop flavours and aromas like grapefruit, citrus, pine and resin.

Why are Hazy IPAs cloudy?

Wheat, oats and the way Hazy IPAs are brewed can contribute to their cloudy appearance. The haze is an intentional part of the style.

Is Juiced AF a Hazy IPA?

Yep. Juiced AF is Beau's take on the Hazy IPA, brewed at 6.5% ABV with 30 IBU and packed with tropical, citrusy hop character.