Troppy And Fruitical

Tasting Notes

Hazy IPAs in this mold typically lead with a saturated fruit aroma — think mango, papaya, passion fruit, and citrus pith — driven by biotransformation-forward hops and sometimes a dry-hop charge that borders on aggressive. The palate is soft and round, with low bitterness and a pillowy mouthfeel that lets the tropical hop character stretch out rather than bite. Malt is largely a background player, providing just enough bready sweetness to keep things from feeling thin. The finish is gentle and juice-forward, often with a faint resinous warmth lingering at the back.

About the Brewery

Flying Lion Brewing is based in Seattle, Washington, operating out of the Columbia City neighborhood. They're a neighborhood-scale operation known for approachable, well-made ales and lagers alongside more hop-forward offerings that reflect the Pacific Northwest's craft scene. I don't have detailed records on their founding date or full lineup history, so I'll stop there rather than guess.

Food Pairings

Spicy Thai green curry works well here because the soft, tropical sweetness in the beer dials back heat without competing with the dish's aromatics. Fish tacos with mango salsa echo the beer's fruit-forward character and let both the food and glass reinforce each other. A Vietnamese bánh mì — with its pickled vegetables and rich pork — benefits from the beer's low bitterness cutting through the fat while complementing the bright, acidic notes. Grilled shrimp with a citrus glaze shares enough aromatic overlap with the hop profile to feel intentional rather than accidental.

Style Guide

Hazy IPA — sometimes called New England IPA or NEIPA — is defined by its intentionally opaque appearance, low-to-moderate bitterness, and pronounced fruit-forward hop character achieved through heavy dry-hopping and sometimes biotransformation during fermentation. It originated in the northeastern United States in the early 2010s, with Vermont breweries like The Alchemist often credited as ground zero, before spreading nationally and becoming one of the dominant IPA substyles. Unlike West Coast IPA, which emphasizes resinous bitterness and a drier finish, Hazy IPA prioritizes soft mouthfeel, juicy flavor, and aroma over assertive bite. ABV typically runs between 6% and 8%, though the style scales in both directions.