Brewday - 18/07/2020 - John Wayne Is Big Leggy

My first attempt at a Haysi. Sorry hazy...

I hadn't really thought about it before. But after chatting with someone they commented 'oh you like traditional beers then'. I wouldn't have though of myself as a traditionalist in any form, but maybe that's just the part of my brain that still thinks I'm an 18 year-old punk, when we thought we could change the world.

Brewing wise though, I do like bitters, pale ales, golden ales, IPA's, porters and stouts. Of course not all these beers have to have British hops. American and New World varieties do make it into some of them. However, shoving fruit and lactose into an IPA and calling it a milkshake isn't my idea of beer. So maybe I am a traditionalist. 

But I'm out of my comfort zone today. I'm brewing a hazy beer with lots of hops. I guess this makes it a NEIPA. Yes, I've knocked a couple back before, but I've never brewed the style. When homebrewing I like to have a beer that I can return to, time and time again, especially when sharing with friends. I don't want a keg full of a beer that's so in your face you only have one, maybe two before your palate disintegrates and you need to seek out something different. I guess that's why I like session ales. 

So why an NEIPA today? Well there's a competition run in conjunction with The Malt Miller so I thought I'd give it a crack. Details here; https://www.themaltmiller.co.uk/blog/verdant-ipa-yeast-home-brewing-competition/

There's sure to be loads of brewers out there that regularly brew NEIPA's so I doubt I'll even get close to winning, but it's an opportunity to brew a different style, so heck, I'm giving it a go. 

However, so it fits in with my preference for 'sessionability' I'm not going all out to create a massive 6.5% beast with half a ton of hops. I'm looking for a 4.6% number that's still juicy, fresh and hoppy. Again, that might mean it's not exactly the style required to win, but hey - it's me that's got to drink it, so I'll brew it how I damn well like. 

If it comes out well I'll post the exact recipe later. As for the title, those of a certain age may remember a song by Haysi Fantayzee called John Wayne Is Big Leggy. 

Showdown!