Beer Review: Cellarmaker Hop Slangin’ Hazy IPA
Style: Hazy IPA | ABV: 7% | Brewery: Cellarmaker Brewing Co., San Francisco, CA
Cellarmaker has built its reputation on small-batch precision and hop-forward experimentation, and Hop Slangin’ Hazy IPA is a prime example of why they remain at the forefront of California’s craft IPA scene.
- Appearance: Pours a dense, golden-orange haze with the kind of opaque glow you expect from a well-made NEIPA. The head is fluffy and persistent, leaving tight lacing as you sip your way down the glass. It looks like fresh-squeezed juice—and drinks just as effortlessly.
- Aroma: The nose is filled with an expressive hop character. There’s a punch of tropical fruits—mango, passion fruit, and pineapple—followed by softer notes of tangerine and a whiff of creamy peach. Underneath it all, a dank, resinous backbone adds some West Coast edge to an otherwise East Coast-style aroma profile.
- Taste: Balanced yet bold. The tropical fruit notes from the aroma carry over, but on the palate, they’re joined by hints of lychee and candied citrus peel. A soft, pillowy malt base (think oats and wheat) gives it that characteristic hazy body without cloying sweetness. Bitterness is subdued but present—a gentle nudge that keeps the juice bomb from becoming one-dimensional. There’s also a subtle grassy or herbal finish that nods to Cellarmaker’s hop-blending mastery. The result is juicy but not sugary, aromatic but not perfumey, with a crisp, dry enough finish to keep you coming back.
- Mouthfeel: Silky and full-bodied, but not heavy. The carbonation is moderate enough to lift the beer without stripping away the lushness. It’s a smooth ride from start to finish.
Verdict
Hop Slangin’ is a textbook example of how to walk the hazy IPA tightrope: expressive without being overdone, juicy without being cloying, and soft without being flabby. It’s got East Coast haze vibes with just enough West Coast bite to keep things interesting.
Recommended for fans of Monkish, Other Half, and anyone who appreciates hop-driven nuance in a cloudy package.