Beer Review: Ghost Town Brewing — Noxious Hazy IPA
Oakland’s Ghost Town Brewing has become the undisputed heavyweight champion of the East Bay. While they are famous for their bone-dry, “West Coast or Die” IPAs, Noxious proves they can play the haze game with surgical precision.
Style: Hazy IPA (New England Style)
ABV: 6.8%
Hops: A heavy-handed blend of Citra, Strata, and Mosaic.
The Profile
The Appearance:
It pours a dense, opaque, straw-yellow, looking more like a glass of fresh-squeezed pineapple juice than a beer. The head is thick and “meringue-like,” leaving consistent lacing down the glass as you sip.
The Nose:
The aroma is loud. The moment the glass hits the table, you’re hit with overripe mango and passionfruit. Thanks to the Strata hops, there is an unmistakable “dank” undertone—that classic Ghost Town herbal pungency that keeps it from being too “juice-box” sweet.
The Palate:
Front: A plush, velvety mouthfeel (likely from a heavy dose of oats and wheat).
Mid: Intense tropical notes, think tangerine zest and guava.
Finish: This is where Noxious wins. Unlike many hazies that finish with a cloying, sugary film, this has a soft, sweeping bitterness that cleans the palate. It’s remarkably drinkable for a beer this opaque.
Noxious is a masterclass in balance. It delivers the “juice” that hazy lovers crave without sacrificing the aggressive hop character that Ghost Town fans expect. It’s dangerous, the 6.8% ABV is completely hidden behind the fruit profile, making it a very “sessionable” choice for a long afternoon.