Beer Reviews

Beta Guppy (Hazy IPA)

Our latest Hazy IPA, Beta Guppy is primary hopped for aromatic accentuation- über juicy and bursting with peach, orange and melon.

Reviews are done by Jim Matt, our Chief Science Officer, who is also a veteran FoBAB judge, GABF judge, and BJCP Master judge.

Malts: 2-row, Pilsner, Golden Naked Oats

Hops: Idaho 7, Columbus, Citra, Huell Melon

Hazy IPAs have gone from controversial regional trend to mega-popular national phenomenon. Talk about what Rhinegeist is exploring in the Hazy IPA space, and how Beta Guppy complements past releases like Alpha Squid and Feeling Good.

They really have become all the rage now, haven’t they? Of course, our cohorts in New England have been making beers like this for a number of years now, Heady Topper is probably one of the better-known ones. At first, serious brewers considered this trend to be just a fad, and that the breweries making them were just using poor brewing technique. But as the trend caught on, some very well respected breweries started brewing them and refining the process of making sure that the haze and beer were stable. We feel like we have a good process right now that produces a hazy beer full of unique flavor…we mix up the hop variety on all of the hazy beers in our portfolio (don’t forget, Cloud 5, our 5th anniversary beer, was also a hazy IPA).

Rhinegeist Beta Guppy Hazy IPA in pint glass

What are the notable characteristics of this beer?

Characteristically cloudy, complex and fruity, and low bitterness.

What makes you want to drink this beer?

It is hazy and fruity without being chunky or off-putting!

Appearance: Yellow color. Moderately heavy haze with very fine particulates. No hop chunks. It is more translucent than opaque. Medium frothy head with excellent retention.

Aroma: Medium high fruit aroma, reminiscent of peaches, apricots and pine. Very low malt aroma, medium fruity esters.

Taste: Medium high fruity hop flavor, some citrus, tangerine peel, hints of peach and papaya. Low malt flavor, medium fruity esters, medium-low hop bitterness, dry finish.

Mouthfeel: Medium creamy mouthfeel, low alcohol warmth, low astringency.

Overall: A wonderfully complex, very approachable Hazy IPA that will appeal to the people who like the style as well as even some that don’t care for the style.

Rhinegeist Beta Guppy Hazy IPA cans

What foods would pair well with Beta Guppy?

Garlic breadsticks or baked Dover Sole with lemon and capers.

Ideal glassware for Beta Guppy?

I recommend the snifter glass.

Rhinegeist Beta Guppy Hazy IPA cans
Rhinegeist Beta Guppy Hazy IPA cans
Rhinegeist Beta Guppy Hazy IPA cans
Rhinegeist Beta Guppy Hazy IPA cans