Galaxy Valley Hazy Double IPA by Garage Project (ft Trillium)

This week’s beer once again comes from the Kiwi champions of craft, Garage Project.  It’s a brilliant concoction called Galaxy Valley Hazy Double IPA.

Last year I wrote about Sunrise Valley, the collaboration between Garage Project and Massachusetts’ Trillium Brewing.  That was, and still is, the best hazy I’ve ever had.  Bar none.  No qualifiers.  Just the best.

Galaxy Valley is yet another collab between those two breweries.  I don’t think it quite reaches the lofty heights of Sunrise Valley, but it’s really not far off.  Firstly, it’s a double, so there’s definitely a bit more bite to it.  Still plenty of juiciness to go along with the hoppiness, but it does tip ever so slightly towards the bitier end of the taste spectrum.  Secondly, as the name suggests, this one heavily features galaxy hops as opposed to the blend from Sunrise Valley.

Now is probably a pretty good time to note that, as I continue to write this, I am becoming aware of the unfairness of comparing it to Sunrise Valley in every aspect.  Being a hazy IPA and a collaboration between the same two breweries, on some level those comparisons are unavoidable.  But while I think the nearly perfect balance of Sunrise Valley does elevate it above Galaxy Valley, that doesn’t change the fact that this is a really damn good beer.  It’s got a mouthful of juiciness, but with sizeable aromatic, citrus peel hoppy bite at the end.   It’s also an 8% beer, but you’d never guess it.  Every aspect of it is brilliantly done and just works.   

The bottom line is if you like a hazy, an IPA, or just a hoppy beer of any kind, go find this beer.  If any of the descriptions in the preceding paragraphs sound even vaguely appealing to you, go find this beer.  You will not be disappointed.