Beer Review: Ghost Town Brewing – Belial Hazy IPA
Ghost Town Brewing, out of West Oakland, has a reputation for two things: winning big awards (like GABF gold) and maintaining a “metal-as-hell” aesthetic. Belial fits right into that Venn diagram, offering a “fallen angel” of a Hazy IPA that feels both dark in branding and brilliantly bright in execution.
- Style: Hazy IPA (New England Style)
- ABV: 6.6%
- Hops: Citra, Simcoe, Strata
Appearance & Aroma
Poured into a glass, Belial is a textbook hazy—pale straw to deep gold with an opaque, juice-like turbidity. It builds a thick, frothy white head that sticks to the glass like a medieval tapestry.
The nose is where the “odiferous” nature of the hops takes center stage. Citra leads with huge hits of expressed citrus oil and tangelo, while the Simcoe and Strata provide a deeper, more complex layer of resinous pine and that signature “dank” berry aroma. It’s a heavy-hitting bouquet that prepares you for a big beer.
Flavor Profile
Despite the demonic name, the first sip is pure tropical sunshine.
Initial Palate: You get an immediate wave of ripe melon and pineapple.
Mid-Palate: The Strata hops really shine here, introducing a unique “strawberry-meets-cannabis” flavor that gives the beer a modern, multi-dimensional edge.
The Finish: Ghost Town is known for “West Coast-influenced” hazies. This means that while it has a soft, pillowy mouthfeel, it doesn’t finish cloyingly sweet. There is a firm, resinous snap of pine and grapefruit rind at the end that cleanses the palate and makes you reach for another sip.
Belial balances the “juice” craze with a serious hop bite. It’s not just a fruit smoothie; it’s a masterclass in hop layering. At 6.6%, it’s dangerously drinkable for a beer that carries this much flavor weight.
The “Ghost Town” Story
Founded in 2012 by members of a local metal band, Ghost Town Brewing originally started as a way to pay for their rehearsal space. They took their name from the West Oakland neighborhood they call home, an area once known for its coffin manufacturers. Today, they are one of the most respected breweries in the Bay Area, known for their macabre, Renaissance-inspired can art and their “no-nonsense” approach to hop-forward beers.
Available at SF Tequila Shop