Velvet Haze

Welcome to the Haze

Ever wondered what happens when you throw subtlety out the window and dive headfirst into a cloud of juicy, tropical goodness? Say hello to Velvet Haze, a beer that doesn't just walk the line between refreshing and indulgent—it hopscotches right over it.

This isn't your grandpa's pale ale (unless your grandpa is really cool). Velvet Haze is what happens when modern brewing techniques meet an insatiable thirst for flavor. It's smooth, it's creamy, it's hazy, and it's absolutely bursting with tropical and citrus notes that'll make your taste buds dance.

Low bitterness? Check. High drinkability? Double check. A beer so smooth you'll wonder if you're drinking liquid sunshine? Triple check.

🍺 Velvet Haze

What Makes It Different

Velvet Haze isn't just another hazy pale ale—it's the result of careful brewing decisions that prioritize flavor, aroma, and that pillowy soft mouthfeel.

🌾 The Grain Bill

We use a blend of flaked barley, flaked oats, and wheat malt to create that signature smooth, creamy body. These grains don't just add texture—they create a canvas for the hops to shine.

🌿 Hop-Forward Philosophy

Multiple dry-hop additions during active fermentation and post-fermentation lock in maximum aroma and flavor while keeping bitterness low. It's all about the juice, baby.

🍊 Tropical & Citrus Explosion

With hops like Kohatu, Mosaic, and Centennial, you're getting layers of mango, passionfruit, citrus, and stone fruit. It's like vacation in a glass.

☁️ That Haze Though

The hazy appearance isn't just for show—it's a result of proteins and hop compounds that enhance flavor and create that soft, velvety texture.

The Hop Symphony

The secret to Velvet Haze's incredible aroma and flavor lies in our hop schedule. We add hops at three critical stages to maximize juiciness and minimize bitterness.

🔥 The Boil

Amarillo hops provide a gentle bittering backbone and set the aromatic foundation.

60 min: Bittering
0 min: Aroma & Flavor

🌡️ Active Fermentation

First dry-hop addition during peak fermentation activity

Kohatu
Mosaic
Centennial

❄️ Post-Fermentation

Second dry-hop addition after fermentation completes

Kohatu
Mosaic
Centennial

Tasting Notes: What to Expect

Pour yourself a glass and prepare for a sensory journey through tropical paradise.

👃 Aroma

Tropical fruit explosion: mango, passionfruit, and pineapple lead the charge, backed by juicy citrus (orange and grapefruit) and subtle stone fruit notes. It's like sticking your nose into a fruit basket at peak ripeness.

👅 Taste

Soft, pillowy mouthfeel with a creamy body that coats your palate. The tropical and citrus flavors from the aroma carry through beautifully—think mango smoothie meets fresh-squeezed orange juice. The bitterness is minimal (IBU 30-40, but it drinks like 15-20), letting the fruit shine.

🏁 Finish

Clean and refreshing with lingering tropical fruit notes. The finish is soft and slightly sweet, making you immediately want another sip. No harsh bitterness here—just pure drinkability.

The Hazy Revolution

Once upon a time, beer was supposed to be clear. Crystal clear. Brewers spent centuries perfecting filtration techniques, adding finings, and doing everything possible to make beer look pristine. Then, in the early 2000s, a few rebellious brewers in Vermont said, "What if we just... didn't?"

The New England IPA (NEIPA) style was born, and with it came a revolution in how we think about beer. Suddenly, haze wasn't a flaw—it was a feature. These beers prioritized flavor and aroma over appearance, using techniques like late-hopping and double dry-hopping to create incredibly juicy, low-bitterness beers.

Velvet Haze takes inspiration from this movement but dials back the alcohol and intensity to create something more sessionable. It's the drinkable, everyday version of those big, bold NEIPAs—all the flavor, half the hangover potential.

The style has evolved from a regional curiosity to a global phenomenon, with breweries around the world putting their own spin on hazy beers. Velvet Haze represents the next wave: approachable, balanced, and designed for those who want big flavor without the big alcohol.

Perfect Pairings

Velvet Haze's low bitterness and tropical fruit character make it incredibly versatile. Here are some killer pairing suggestions.

🌶️ Spicy Foods

Spicy fish tacos with mango salsa
Thai curry (green or panang)
Nashville hot chicken

🔥 Grilled & BBQ

Grilled pineapple chicken
BBQ ribs
Charred vegetables

🐟 Seafood

Fish and chips
Ceviche
Grilled salmon with lemon butter

🧀 Cheese & Charcuterie

Sharp cheddar
Gruyère or aged gouda
Spicy salami and pepperoni

🍰 Desserts

Lemon bars
Carrot cake
Mango sorbet

Brew It Yourself

Want to recreate Velvet Haze at home? Here's the recipe for a 5-gallon batch.

🌾 Grain Bill

2-Row Pale Ale Malt (base)
Crystal Malt (small addition)
Wheat Malt (10-15%)
Flaked Barley (5-10%)
Flaked Oats (5-10%)

🌿 Hop Schedule

Boil:

Amarillo @ 60 min (bittering)
Amarillo @ 0 min (aroma & flavor)

Dry Hop (Active Fermentation):

Kohatu, Mosaic, Centennial

Dry Hop (Post-Fermentation):

Kohatu, Mosaic, Centennial

🧪 Yeast & Fermentation

Safale S-04 (English Ale Yeast)
Ferment at 65-68°F
Add first dry-hop at high krausen
Add second dry-hop 2-3 days before packaging

📝 Process Notes

Target OG: 1.048-1.052
Target FG: 1.010-1.014
ABV: 5-6%
Mash at 152-154°F for 60 minutes
Don't over-carbonate—2.2-2.5 volumes CO2
Package and drink fresh!

Why "Velvet Haze"?

The name says it all. Velvet describes that impossibly smooth, creamy mouthfeel that makes this beer so drinkable. Haze refers not just to the cloudy appearance, but to the dreamy, almost ethereal quality of the hop-forward flavor profile. Together, they capture the essence of what makes this beer special: luxurious texture meets aromatic intensity.

It's the kind of beer that wraps you in a warm, fuzzy embrace while simultaneously waking up your taste buds with layers of tropical fruit. It's comfort and excitement in the same glass.