Slow Jam (Juicy IPA) Review

This Juicy IPA features a slow and steady malt groove jazzed up by bright, tropical hop rhythms and a lively citrus staccato. Slow Jam is a limited release, available in cans exclusively in the latest Hop Box hoppy variety pack. Read on to get all the liner notes on our latest Hop Box-exclusive Juicy IPA!

Malts: Pilsner, Maris Otter, Cara, Crystal
Hops: Mosaic. Chinook, Alora, Krush

People may recognize Slow Jam from previous Record Store Day releases. This one is a Hop Box release. How is this Slow Jam different from previous versions?

Slow Jam debuted as a citrusy IPA nearly a decade ago, gradually evolving year-to-year into its current juicy IPA form. This year’s recipe has just enough balancing bitterness, allowing the hop-derived juice flavors to dominate the profile. It’s also hazy, with a medium-full body that leans into the fruity hops.

What are the notable characteristics of this beer?

This beer is loaded with juicy tropical punch notes, along with fresh tangerine and fuzzy peach. It’s light gold and hazy, with plenty of fluffy white foam to lift and hold all those hop aromas right to your nose as you take the first sip.

What makes you want to drink Slow Jam?

Aside from really loving the can, I also really love this beer. Slow Jam isn’t a west coast, but also isn’t truly a hazy IPA. It has the juicy, fruity hops you’d expect from a hazy, but is backed by more bitterness and a touch more malt complexity. This touch of bitterness gives Slow Jam a quick, crisp finish, which greatly enhances the drinkability.

If this beer was an epic ballad, what would it be?

Looking at the Slow Jam can brings one song to mind, and its the perfect answer to this question: Purple Rain. The color connection is obvious, but it also contains one of the greatest guitar solos ever. Also, don’t rainy days just feel a little slower?

Tasting Notes

Appearance: Gold with plenty of haze and thick white foam.
Aroma: Juicy tropical punch, fresh tangerine and fuzzy peach.
Taste: Tons of hop-derived, juicy fruit flavor backed by medium bitterness and a touch of complex malt sweetness.
Mouthfeel: Medium-full and juice-like with a quick finish.
Overall: Light gold with haze and fluffy white foam, Slow Jam is a juicy IPA that’s loaded with hop-derived notes of juicy pineapple and tangerine, backed by medium bitterness and hints of malt sweetness.

What foods would pair well with Slow Jam?

Slow Jam would go really well with pulled pork, or anything with sweet and smoky barbecue sauce.

Ideal glassware for Slow Jam? A shaker pint glass, just don’t knock it off your amp!