Beer of the Week: Haze the Hard Way

From the Beer Writer: Every now and then, a new hop varietal comes around that takes the world by storm. We’re talking about the Citras, Mosaics and Stratas of the hop galaxy. Ooh, Galaxy…that’s another good example! Last year, just such a cultivar came on the scene, a peachy keen pelletized greenhorn called Nectaron. The first local brewery to make a splash with that newcomer was Vista’s Five Suits Brewing, which made it the basis of a hazy IPA called Planet Nectraon. That beer was such a success it not only won over customers, but also took first place in the Hazy IPA category at the San Diego Beer News Awards and had pro brewers hitting up Five Suits owner Nick Corona for advice. So, it’s no surprise that when devising yet another New England-style IPA, Corona went back to the Nectaron well. The result is this week’s featured beer, Haze the Hard Way, a lighter-bodied hazy that gets a touch of citrus nuance from Azacca hops. Lower in body and alcohol-by-volume at just 6.5%, it’s easy to drink and even easier to love thanks to a burst of peach and nectarine (who’d have thought) that carries through to the finish. Even given all of Planet Nectaron’s fanfare, this beer might be even better. But will it win a San Diego Beer News Award? You won’t have to wait long to find out. Online fan nominations in 20 categories will begin Monday, January 3, so keep your eyes peeled on San Diego Beer News’ social-media accounts and this site for more information. 

From the Brewer: “Brewing a hazy with a winning hop like Nectaron isn’t exactly a roll of the dice. We spiced up our Haze The Hard Way by blending in some Azacca hops. Flaked oats add some creaminess to create a mouthfeel you would expect in a hazy, but the tone on this one still walks the line between the East and West Coasts. You’ll be met with the immediate and distinct tropical aroma that Nectaron brings, but the addition of Azacca brings on a flavor that’s spicy and floral, just ahead of those huge Nectaron notes of stone fruit with huge peach overload. Haze the Hard Way is a hop-lover’s dream that you won’t want to miss. As is normally the case with Five Suits, we let very few kegs of this beer out of the tasting room. Outside of just a couple special locations serving this winner, you will only find it on draft and available in four-packs or crowlers to-go through our tasting room. —Nick Corona, Owner & Head Brewer, Five Suits Brewing