Brewery: Melvin Brewing (Jackson Hole, Wyoming)
Style: Hazy IPA
ABV: 6.4%
IBU: 58
Melvin Brewing, a Wyoming based craft brewery known for its hop-forward beers and irreverent attitude, has built a strong reputation in the world of IPAs. With Back In Da Haze, they step into the ever popular realm of hazy, New England style IPAs. This beer aims to blend the juicy, tropical flavors associated with the style while maintaining a solid hop presence that honors Melvin’s West Coast roots.
Appearance – 4.5/5
Back In Da Haze pours a hazy, golden-orange color with a thick, frothy white head that lingers nicely. The unfiltered nature of the beer gives it that characteristic haze, while fine carbonation adds to its visual appeal.
Aroma – 4.5/5
This IPA bursts with tropical and citrus notes. There’s a strong presence of mango, pineapple, and tangerine, complemented by hints of peach and light floral undertones. Some dank, piney hop aromas emerge as well, a nod to Melvin’s hop-centric brewing philosophy.
Flavor – 4/5
The flavor follows the aroma, with bright tropical fruit, citrus zest, and a soft malt backbone. Juicy mango and pineapple dominate, balanced by a slight grapefruit pith bitterness that keeps it from being overly sweet. Unlike some hazy IPAs that lean too far into the fruit juice territory, Back In Da Haze retains a moderate bitterness, providing a nice contrast to the smooth, creamy mouthfeel.
Mouthfeel – 4/5
Smooth and slightly creamy, this beer has a medium body with a pillowy softness typical of the hazy IPA style. The carbonation is moderate, helping to keep it refreshing rather than overly thick.
Finish & Drinkability – 4/5
The finish is lightly bitter with lingering citrus and tropical flavors. It’s highly drinkable for a 6.4% ABV beer, making it a solid choice for hazy IPA lovers who enjoy some balance rather than pure fruit bomb sweetness.
Where Back In Da Haze truly shines is in its balance. The malt backbone is light and unobtrusive, allowing the hops to take center stage without overwhelming the palate. At 6.4% ABV, it’s sessionable enough for a few rounds but still packs enough flavor to keep things interesting.
Overall Rating – 4.2/5
Melvin Brewing’s Back In Da Haze is a solid hazy IPA that delivers on juicy, tropical flavors while maintaining a respectable hop bitterness. It bridges the gap between the pillowy softness of New England IPAs and the resinous punch of West Coast styles. While it may not completely reinvent the hazy IPA wheel, it stands out for its balance, drinkability, and Melvin’s signature hop-forward approach.
If you appreciate a hazy IPA with more depth and structure than the typical juice bomb, you’ll appreciate Back In Da Haze. Fans of both New England and West Coast IPAs will find something to love here.
If you’ve tried Melvin’s Back In Da Haze, let us know what you thought about it in the comments below.
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