Braxton Labs is all about experimentation. It’s the entire purpose of the brewery – to innovate, play around and be creative. That doesn’t mean, however, that the brewery doesn’t listen to their loyal fans about what they like and want when it comes to packaging and even new beers that are going to come out.
This “series” of NE IPAs that they’ve done so far is a great example of both sides of this… the experimenting, the tweaking, and doing what everyone screams for them to do.
Let’s have a look at the evolution of this beer though its short life so far.
The Haze Evolution
NE IPA 001
The brewery led off with this recipe – and it flew off the taps when they put it out there. Using Citra and Galaxy hops to provide aromas of peach, mango and apricot this double IPA has a refined bitterness with a juicy finish. It’s got the signature hazy, soft body that drives fans of the style crazy too. People loved this beer.
NE IPA 002
Here’s the controversial one… it seemed like a lot of people missed the experimentation part of Braxton labs when this was released on draft and in cans in June. There were a number of very vocal people who were expecting the beers to be the same, when this was a ‘tweaking’ of the first recipe. It changed out the hops to Citra and Mosaic – which while it isn’t a huge change, was enough to get people talking. Some people loved it, some people not so much. The brewery was luckily listening and might be doing something about it (I’ll get back to this).
NE PA 001
This isn’t as ‘Big’ of a beer… giving it the Pale Ale tag versus the IPA or DIPA style that the Labs have been using up until now. This beer uses Citra and El Dorado hops for a nice juicy character, then get’s a nice hit of Simcoe for a touch of dankiness. If you’re looking to get your hands on this beer it’s available in the taproom now (at least until it isn’t anymore…)
The New Packaging
It seems that not only will Braxton be using the Labs location to roll out experimental taps and draft offerings, they aren’t afraid to use it for fun one off packaging releases either, whether those releases actually take place in the Labs taproom, or not. They released their NE IPA 002 in cans to thirsty fans, and now are going back and throwing NE IPA 001 at us, in a different way.
The cans of 001 will be making their way out to distribution to some of the best beer stores across Cincy and Northern Kentucky – as well as into their markets in Louisville and Lexington too. The big party though will be at the Covington taproom on 8/20. You can find the Facebook event here – make sure you share it with you all your beer friends.
The four packs of 16oz pint cans have dropped in price too – this time they’ll retail for $14.99, with a limit of 2 per person (in the taproom at least, it’s up to retailers to set their limits).
This release may be making its way out pretty widely, but that only means that there will be a really limited amount at each place – so don’t sleep on this!!