Camp Stargazer Hazy Double IPA

Camp Stargazer Hazy Double IPA Review

Langley’s Camp Beer Co. has been busy producing fruit sours, dark beers, and a variety of other styles before and since celebrating its first anniversary this past Christmas. But hoppy beers remain a strong part of Camp’s game, and the Stargazer Hazy Double IPA is a fine reminder of that.

Popping a can into a clean glass will net you a golden brew with a nice little head that you’ll want to drink while fluffy. It’s less orangey than most of the current generation of New England IPAs. But then, although billed as Hazy, it’s not really a NEIPA. The secret is its New World (read: Australian) hop profile. But like Camp’s previous release rated on this site (the Upstream Pale Ale), it’s a hybrid with attributes of both West Coast and East Coast styles.

A case in point is the less-than-Northeastern level of haziness. We rate it as ‘cloudy’. Then, there’s the aroma, with a distinct scent of grapefruit alongside the tropical and melon notes.

Dry on the palate, it features grapefruit and a hint of pine alongside the smooth mandarin and tropical flavours.

If you’re a fan of classic West Coast IPAs who resented the advent of NEIPA dominance, you’ll be grateful for Stargazer’s citric Northwest tang. But if you’re not in the mood for a full-on hop bomb, you’ll appreciate the rounded Eastern (okay, Southern Hemispheric) edges of this semi-hazy double IPA.

Despite the 8.0% ABV, Stargazer doesn’t taste like a high-alcohol brew. It’s a beer you can session, despite the inherent risks of doing such. (Camp’s legal team may wish to review any and all assertions put forward herein.) If you can get hold of a four-pack, don’t pass it up. This type of hybrid could be the long-term future of IPA.