Modern Times Space Ways
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Tasting Notes
Space Ways pours hazy and leads with a dense aroma of tropical fruit — mango, papaya, and passionfruit — layered over softer citrus notes. On the palate, the hops read juicy rather than bitter, with a full, almost pillowy body that's typical of the style. Bitterness is low and rounded, letting the fruit-forward character carry the finish. It's a textbook example of what Modern Times does well in the hazy IPA space.
About the Brewery
Modern Times is a San Diego-based brewery founded in 2013 by Jacob McKean. They built a strong reputation on ambitious hop-forward beers and a rotating cast of creative adjunct stouts, operating with a worker-influenced ethos and an expansive taproom network across California. The brewery went through significant financial and structural turbulence in the early 2020s but has continued operating and maintaining its core lineup.
Food Pairings
The tropical, low-bitterness profile here works well with spicy Thai or Vietnamese dishes, where the fruit notes cool heat without fighting it. Soft tacos with grilled fish or shrimp echo the citrus character naturally. A ripe, mild cheese like Havarti or young Gouda won't be steamrolled by bitterness the way it might with a West Coast IPA. Mango salsa or dishes with pineapple-based sauces find a natural mirror in the beer's dominant fruit notes.
Style Guide
New England IPA — sometimes called hazy IPA or NEIPA — is defined by its intentionally cloudy appearance, soft and full body, and emphasis on juicy, tropical hop aroma over sharp bitterness. The style emerged from small New England breweries in the mid-2010s, most notably The Alchemist in Vermont, and spread rapidly as drinkers gravitated toward its approachable bitterness and fruit-forward intensity. Unlike West Coast IPAs, which prize clarity and a dry, resinous bite, NEIPAs lean on late and dry-hop additions that maximize aroma while keeping IBUs low and the mouthfeel round.