Jacktail

Tasting Notes

Jacktail pours with the characteristic soft, pillowy texture of the hazy IPA format, carrying tropical and citrus-forward aromas — think mango, tangerine, and a touch of stone fruit — likely from a hefty dry-hop charge. The flavor follows suit with low bitterness and a juicy, almost smoothie-like quality on the palate. The body is full for the ABV, with the oat or wheat additions typical of the style lending some residual sweetness. The finish is soft and relatively short, without the lingering resinous bite you'd get from a West Coast IPA.

About the Brewery

Elysian Brewing is a Seattle-based brewery founded in 1996, now owned by Anheuser-Busch InBev following an acquisition in 2015. Before and after that transition, Elysian built a strong reputation on adventurous recipes, particularly their pumpkin beer lineup, which has become something of a cultural touchstone each fall. They operate several taproom locations in the Seattle area and maintain a wide-ranging portfolio that spans sessionable lagers to heavily hopped IPAs.

Food Pairings

The low bitterness and tropical fruit character here pair well with spicy Thai or Vietnamese dishes, where the juicy sweetness dials back the heat without fighting it. Fish tacos work naturally given the citrus notes bridging into lime-forward salsas and grilled white fish. A fresh goat cheese salad with stone fruit plays into the beer's own fruity register without overwhelming it. Grilled shrimp with mango chutney echoes the tropical hop profile directly. Lighter cheeses and charcuterie boards also hold up well, since the soft bitterness won't clash with delicate cured meats.

Style Guide

Hazy IPAs — also called New England IPAs or NEIPAs — are defined by their intentionally cloudy appearance, low bitterness, and intensely fruity, juicy hop character achieved through heavy dry-hopping and the use of adjuncts like oats and wheat. The style originated in Vermont and New England in the early 2010s, with The Alchemist's Heady Topper often cited as a foundational example, before spreading nationally. Unlike West Coast IPAs, which emphasize clean bitterness and drier finishes, hazies prioritize soft mouthfeel and forward fruit aroma over hop sharpness. ABV typically runs from about 5.5% to 8%, though the format ranges widely.