Let’s get one thing straight: I am, and always have been, a huge fan of Boston Beer Company. I was in at the beginning, really. Soon after Jim Koch began personally hawking his beers to local Boston bars and restaurants, they were sold in Rhode Island (circa 1985) and I was all over them. Samuel Adams Boston Lager was fresh, malty, hoppy and delicious, and I was a regular drinker. Then the seasonals started to emerge, and I was all over those, too. Samuel Adams Double Bock anyone? Sold in cardboard boxes rather than six-pack carriers, the beer was as novel as it was rich and chewy.

So, to this day, I still get excited when Boston Beer introduces a new brew. This time, that happened with Samuel Adams Wicked Hazy Juicy New England IPA. Was this, though, really a new beer, or just a rehash of Samuel Adams New England IPA? Inquiring minds wanted to know, but to know, we had to try it, and to try it, we had to find it. I had seen lots of posts in Facebook beer groups about it, but it wasn’t to be found here in Georgia, until a fine May afternoon when I saw six-packs at Publix. And immediately bought one.

Let’s compare the beer specs to Samuel Adams New England IPA:

The New England IPA:

HOP VARIETIES: Galaxy, Simcoe, Mosaic, Citra, Cascade

MALT VARIETIES: Samuel Adams two-row pale malt blend, white wheat, golden naked oats

ABV 6.8% by volume with 35 IBUs.

And now the Wicked Hazy:

HOPS: Galaxy, Simcoe, Mosaic, Citra, Cascade

MALTS: Samuel Adams two-row pale malt blend, White Wheat, Golden Nakes Oats

 ABV 6.8% by volume with 35 IBUs.

Anybody see a pattern here?

Boston beer says on the can label:

Juicy, hazy and full-on wicked, hazy New England IPA is bursting with fresh fruit aroma, packing punches of orange, mango and pineapple. It's delightfully drinkable with full flavor and a smooth silky finish. Crack it open and be prepared- it's wicked delicious!

Jim Koch

Samuel Adams Wicked Hazy Juicy New England IPA ran me $9.99 for my six-pack at Publix. My cans are stamped on the bottom ENJOY BEFORE JUL 2021.

Samuel Adams Wicked Hazy Juicy New England IPA pours to a, well, hazy yellow color with a thick rocky head of foam and a zesty grapefruit nose laced with hints of tropical fruit. Taking a sip, the beer is medium in body with more of the zesty grapefruit pith and peel, orange citrus, subtle tropical fruit (pineapple to my taste), and a robust dry bitter finish.

Bottom line, if you have had Samuel Adams New England IPA, you’ve had Samuel Adams Wicked Hazy. That shouldn’t stop you from picking some up and enjoying it. It’s a wicked good beer and, compared to others of the style, sold at a wicked good price.

And remember, try a new beer today, and drink outside the box.

*Pricing data accurate at time of review or latest update. For reference only, based on actual price paid by reviewer.

(B)=Bottled

(D)=Draft

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