I get why beer-style purists debate how and where New England–style IPAs fit in the beer taxonomy. They are distinct from other IPAs, even as they bring their own perspective on what it means to be “hoppy.”
The truth is, I don’t care which category they fall under. I prefer to focus on enjoying them.
A classic West Coast IPA is a fine example of the transformative power of hop bitterness, but the first time I sipped a Heady Topper from The Alchemist in Vermont, it was an epiphany. It was more bitter than many recent IPAs I’ve encountered, but the taste of its hops was rich and nuanced, offering much more than simple citrus or pine. Later, I’d fall in love with Juicy Bits from WeldWerks in Greeley, Colorado, along with its double-dry-hopped variants.