Miller Time!
Jim Miller, Pittsburgh's craft beer connoisseur extraordinaire, rates a different local craft beer every week. His expansive frame of reference has been developed over decades so we can trust his judgement and head straight to the best beers out there.
Craft Beers 101 - Lesson 1: IPA - New England / Hazy
New England India Pale Ales (NEIPA) are a style of IPA invented in Vermont in the early 2010s. They are characterized by juicy, citrus, and floral flavor, with a more subtle and less piney hop taste than typical IPAs. They also have a smooth consistency or "mouthfeel", and a hazy appearance. These characteristics are achieved using a combination of brewing techniques including the use of particular strains of yeast, the timing of adding the hops, and adjusting the chemistry of the water. Although the style has become popular among New England brewers, New England IPAs need not be brewed in New England. They are sometimes known as Northeastern IPAs or hazy IPAs.
2XHAZE
Southern Tier Brewing Company
Lakewood, NJ
IPA - Imperial / Double
Nice, easy go-to. Southern Tier makes some good beers. I always liked their IPAs, this 2x Haze is affordable and easy to get at most places that sell beer! Happy Mother's Day to all the wonderful mothers!
Cheers 🍻
Can - Purchased at Beer on 8
4.25 / 5 Bottle Caps!
Jim Miller, May 11, 2024
511 - New England IPA
Lincoln Avenue Brewery
Bellevue, PA
IPA - New England / Hazy
First glass was a little dirty... the next two were much better! I really liked this Hazy! Nicely done!
Cheers! 🍻
Draft
4.5 / 5 Bottle Caps!
Jim Miller, September 1, 2024
A Little Sumpin' Sumpin' Ale
Lagunitas Brewing Co.
Petaluma, CA, USA
IPA - White / Wheat
"This special IPA is its own unique breed. An indescribable imbibable, The sly touch of wheat places it somewhere between puffy little clouds and the smoothest silk gown. The taste is rich with hops, but finishes dry. Its mention causes an involuntary reaction... Sumpin' is simply Pavlovian. The taste tells!"
After so many Hazy bears and fruited sours, it's nice to try an oldie but goodie! 7.5% ABV and very affordable... this is a great beer.
Cheers! 🍻
Can purchased at Beer on 8
4.25 / 5 Bottle Caps!
Jim Miller, September 28, 2024
Astro Cat
Ever Grain Brewing Co.
IPA - New England / Hazy
Very good!
Earned the Untapped in Home (Level 88) Badge
Earned the Haze for Days (Level 89) Badge
Can - Purchased at Beer on 8
4.25 / 5 Bottle Caps
Jim Miller, November 5, 2023
Barbarian Haze
3 Floyds Brewing
IPA - New England / Hazy
This is a very tasty IPA. 3 Floyds recently started shipping to the Pittsburgh area so you can buy this at most beer distributors now. They are more famous for their beer Zombie Dust, but I think this one is better! Cheers!
4 / 5 Bottle Caps
September 1, 2023
Big Hazy IPA
Lawson's Finest Liquids
IPA - Imperial / Double
I really enjoyed this one. I'm a sucker for anything orange.
Can - Purchased at Save on Beer
4.5 / 5 Bottle Caps
Jim Miller, January 20, 2024
Born Yesterday (2024)
Lagunitas Brewing Company
IPA - American
I love this annual beer!
Cheers! 🍻
Bottle
4.25 / 5 Bottle Caps!
Jim Miller, November 25, 2024
Cabin Color
Dancing Gnome - Sharpsburg, PA
IPA - American
Nice!
Cheers! 🍻
Can purchased at Beer on 8
4.25 / 5 Bottle Caps!
Jim Miller, October 26, 2024
Celebration
Sierra Nevada Brewing Company - Chico, CA
IPA - American
The long, cold nights of winter are a little brighter with Celebration Ale. Wonderfully robust and rich, Celebration Ale is dry-hopped for a lively, intense aroma. Brewed especially for the holidays, it is perfect for a festive gathering or a quiet evening at home. Tasting very good this year! Maybe my taste buds were off last time I checked in? I'm glad this is good because I always look forward to it! Cheers! 🍻
Hoppy - Smooth - Malty - Piney - Sweet
Earned the Style Quest: IPA - Imperial / Double Badge
Can - Purchased at Beer on 8
4.25 / 5 Bottle Caps
Jim Miller, December 25, 2023
Clausthaler IPA (Dry Hopped)
Radeberger Gruppe
Non-alcoholic - IPA
Ok, this is a really good NA beer. I love the appearance, unfiltered makes for a great looking beer. Nose is basic beer. The taste is very good! This is by far one of the best NA beers I've had so far. I can easily enjoy a couple of these...
Earned the Riding Steady (Level 35) Badge
Earned the 99 Bottles (Level 17) Badge
Cheers! 🍻
Bottle purchased at Beer on 8
4.25 / 5 Bottle Caps!
Jim Miller, December 5, 2024
Clown Dick
Ill Will Brewing- Columbiana, Oh
Sour - Smoothie / Pastry
Its top and bottom layers are alcoholic slushies with hard seltzer...cherry and blue raspberry. The middle is a smoothie - rum, banana, pineapple, and Lovie's Ice Cream, 5.5%
The people have demanded it!
Purchased at Ill Will Brewing
This was pretty tasty!
Jim Miller, April 21, 2024
Dakota Line
Dancing Gnome - Sharpsburg, PA
IPA - Imperial / Double
Dakota Line is a 9.0% hop assault loaded with Citra, Galaxy and Ekuanot hops. Mango and dank pineapple emanate from the glass with flavor following suit and finishing up with an earthy, tropical blend that dissipates quickly, leaving you yearning for more. Incredibly full-bodied and incredibly low in bitterness. I love this one. When you see it, grab it - it's a once-a-year beer.
Juicy - Pineapple - Creamy - Smooth - Dank
Can purchased at Beer On 8
4.5 / 5 Bottle Caps!
Jim Miller, March 30, 2024
DirtWolf
Victory Brewing Company, Downingtown, PA
IPA - Imperial / Double
It's been a long time favorite of mine. It's a really good West coast IPA. This is where i started my craft beer journey. Then i got into the hazy IPAs and also fruited sours. But it's really refreshing to get back to my beginnings of craft beer!
Great beer at a great price. Good job, Victory!
Purchased at Buds Suds Discount Beer
4.5 / 5 Bottle Caps!
Jim Miller, April 27, 2024
Dollar Slice
Other Half Brewing Company
IPA - Imperial / Hazy
Mmm Anchovies!
Can Purchased at Beer On 8
4.25 / 5 Bottle Caps!
Jim Miller, February 10, 2024
Double Lipula
Lolev Beer
Pittsburgh, PA
IPA - Imperial / Double
This one might grow on me..
Cheers! 🍻
Can bought at Beer On 8
Earned the Pucker Up (Level 36) Badge
4.0 / 5 Bottle Caps!
Jim Miller, July 30, 2024
Double Lustra
Dancing Gnome - Sharpsburg, PA
IPA - Imperial / Double
Earlier I posted a beer from Dancing Gnome, Lustra. This is it's big brother, Double Lustra! One of my favorites!
Cheers! 🍻
Purchased at Beer On 8
5 / 5 Bottle Caps!
Jim Miller, September 14, 2023
Double Prismatic
Lolev Beer
IPA - Imperial / Double...
Oh yeah, I liked this...
Cheers! 🍻
Earned the Haze for Days (Level 100) Badge
4.25 / 5 Bottle Caps!
Jim Miller, October 19, 2024
Double Purple Starfish
Aslin Beer Company
IPA - Imperial / Double
Pretty good.
Earned the Wheel of Styles (Level 22) Badge
Draft
4 / 5 Bottle Caps
Jim Miller, November 10, 2023
FAQ
Dancing Gnome - Sharpsburg, PA
IPA - Imperial / Double
Dank, sticky and delicious!!! This is a great DIPA. Sticky oils from across the globe create a stampede of fresh-squeezed citrus, ripe tropical fruits, and your uncle's secret stash.
One pint alcohol by volume 8%
HOPS: Galaxy, Citra
Can - Purchased at Beer on 8
4.5 / 5 Bottle Caps
Jim Miller, December 7, 2023
Four Fours
Equalibrium Brewery
IPA - Imperial / Double
Very Good! Four great breweries put together a banger! Well done! ...😋
Equilibrium Brewery - Regional Brewery, Middletown, NY
J. Wakefield Brewery - Micro Brewery, Miami, FL
Other Half Brewing Co. - Regional Brewery, Brooklyn, NY
Vitamin Sea Brewing, - Micro Brewery, East Waymouth, MA
We started with a heavy base of oats and wheat before the Idaho7, Citra, and Citra Incognito whirlpool. We then dry-hopped with four of our favorite hops at levels never seen before with Citra, Strata, Galaxy, and Zappa. Dense haze pours into your glass with aromas of tropical mango, orange tang, assorted berry, and grape drink. Hoppy saturated flavors of dank mango orange juice smoothie, papaya chunks, and green nerds candy are balanced by a hoppy bite and giant juice melon finish bringing you right to your next sip. The glass gets emptied quickly so we recommend you pause the puzzle solving while enjoying our latest banger!
Citrusy - Hoppy - Fruity - Clean - Berries
Earned the Style Quest: IPA - Imperial / Double Badge
Can - Purchased at Beer on 8
4.75 / 5 Bottle Caps
Jim Miller, December 14, 2023
Free Wave Hazy IPA
Atlantic Brewing Company
Non-alcoholic - IPA
Solid NA Hazy! I haven't had any beer in over a week and felt like trying some non-alcoholic beers. I was pleasantly surprised. I wish it were less carbs and lower calories. But it was a nice substitute.
Cheers! 🍻
Can purchased at Beer on 8
4 / 5 Bottle Caps!
Jim Miller, November 25, 2024
Gravel Grinder
Dancing Gnome - Sharpsburg, PA
IPA - American
Finally got this one. I loved it!!
Dancing Gnome is on a roll...
Cheers! 🍻
Can purchased at Dancing Gnome
4.5 / 5 Bottle Caps!
Jim Miller, November 11, 2024
Green Grunge IPA
Fat Head's Brewery
IPA - American
Really enjoyed this one. Would buy more...
Earned the Untapped at Home (Level 96) Badge
Can purchased at Save on Beer
4.25 / 5 Bottle Caps!
Jim Miller, April 8, 2024
Here for the Zipline
Black Flag Brewing Company
IPA - New England / Hazy
This was a nice find while in Columbia, Maryland. Black Flag makes some good beers. Very enjoyable, especially as the temp warms just a little... no need to drink IPAs ice cold!
Can
4.25 / 5 Bottle Caps
Jim Miller, November 16, 2023
The Island of Misfit Mascots
Voodoo Brewing Co.
Triple New England IPA, 13%
Smooth and Delicious!
4.5/5 Bottle Caps
August 17, 2023
Juicy IPA
Samuel Adams
IPA - New England / Hazy
I found this very refreshing. Great hop profile. Smooth and tasty. I'll be buying more of this one!
Cheers! 🍻
Can purchased at Mars Beer Distributer
4.25 / 5 Bottle Caps!
Jim Miller, June 28, 2024
Kabuto
The Brew Gentlemen Beer Co. - Braddock, PA
IPA - Imperial / Double
I love me some BG! Solid beer.
Going with a Brew Gentleman Beer this week. One of the areas first great Hazy beer breweries. It was always between Brew Gentleman (BG) and Dancing Gnome (DG). They are the OG's in Pittsburgh!
Can Purchased at Beer on 8
4.25 / 5 Bottle Caps!
Jim Miller, March 8, 2024
King JJJuliusss
Tree House Brewing Company
IPA - Imperial / Double
The House never disappoints! This was a treat, Thank you, Marylynn!
Cheers! 🍻
Can
4.5 / 5 Bottle Caps!
Jim Miller, June 22, 2024
LOU
Ales for ALS for 2023
Brew Gentlemen, Braddock, PA
IPA - Imperial / Double
Great beer for a great cause! I look forward to this beer every year.
Purchased at Beer on 8
4.75 / 5 Bottle Caps
Jim Miller, September 28, 2023
Lustra
Dancing Gnome - Sharpsburg, PA
Pale Ale - American
I wish I could buy this by the keg!!! Such a fantastic beer. Great intro beer for friends who don't like IPAs...
Purchased at Beer On 8
4.5 / 5 Bottle Caps
Jim Miller, September 14, 2023
Mahogany & Rosewood
Dancing Gnome
Sharpsburg, PA
Pale Ale - English
Very enjoyable. This is a collaboration between Dancing Gnome and Stick City
Cheers! 🍻
Draft and Can bought at Beer On 8
Earned the Riding Steady (Level 34) Badge
Earned the Better Together (Level 34) Badge
Earned the Wheel of Styles (Level 23) Badge
4.0 / 5 Bottle Caps!
Jim Miller, August 8, 20243
Magic Mushroom
Shubrew
IPA - New England / Hazy
I love this beer! Very well done. Excellent flavors, great ABV. Love the can art!
Purchased at ShuBrew: Handcrafted Ales & Food, Zelienople, PA
5 / 5 Bottle Caps
Jim Miller, September 21, 2023
Maui Wowie - Roll the Fruit
Hoosier Brewing Co.
Sharpsburg, PA
Sour - Fruited
Delicious
Cheers! 🍻
Can bought at Beer On 8
4.5 / 5 Bottle Caps!
Jim Miller, August 21, 2024
New Fangs
Four Points Brewing
IPA - Imperial / Double New England / Hazy
2023 version. Thick, smooth and delicious 8% Hazy IPA. Well done, Four Points!
Can - Purchased at Beer on 8
4.25 / 5 Bottle Caps
Jim Miller, October 26, 2023
Nobody's Robot
Dancing Gnome - Sharpsburg, PA
IPA - Imperial / Double
Love it! Happy Birthday, DG!
Hopped and hopped and hopped again with an overwhelming amount of Nelson, Citra and Melba hops. Aroma is dank pineapple, ripe peach, juicy tangerine, and crisp fall air. Flavor follows the aroma with the addition of the bright and distinct Sauvignon Blanc character from the Nelson Hopps.
Juicy - Hoppy - Citrus - Dank - Smooth
4.75 / 5 Bottle Caps
Jim Miller, October 13, 2023
Nordic Spring
Dogfish Head Craft Brewery
IPA - New England / Hazy
Very well done! One of the better Dogfish Head beers that I've had in several years.
Can Purchased at Beer On 8
4.25 / 5 Bottle Caps!
Jim Miller, February 19, 2024
Nosferatu Imperial Red IPA
Great Lakes Brewing Company
Cleveland, OH USA
Red Ale - Imperial / Double
This is solid. Might be my all time favorite from GLBC! Cheers 🍻
Don't be afraid of things that go hop in the night. Rich roasted malt flavors haunt the shadows of our Imperial Red IPA's bitter teeth.
Can - Purchased at Save on BeerDon't be
4.5 / 5 Bottle Caps
Jim Miller, January 12, 2024
Nugget Nectar
Troegs Independent Brewing
Amber Ale - Imperial
Still one of my all-time favorites! I love this beer! 🤷♀️
Can Purchased at Beer On 8
4.5 / 5 Bottle Caps!
Jim Miller, February 23, 2024
Double Nugget Nectar
Troegs Independent Brewing
Red Ale - Imperial
Nugget Nectar was great at 7.5%, but WOW, this baby is just a little bit bolder! First time actually getting my hands on it. I like 👍
Can Purchased at Beer On 8
4.5 / 5 Bottle Caps!
Jim Miller, February 23, 2024
Pink Starfish
Aslin Beer Company, Alexandria, VA
IPA - New England / Hazy
Tasty, easy drinker!
Can - Purchased at Save on Beer
4.25 / 5 Bottle Caps
Jim Miller, January 25, 2024
Point of No Return
Ill Will Brewing
Columbiana, OH
Sour - Smoothie / Pastry
This is one of my favorites. Great job.
Cheers! 🍻
Can bought at Ill Will Brewing
Earned the Pucker Up (Level 36) Badge
4.75 / 5 Bottle Caps!
Jim Miller, July 24, 2024
Rocky
Dancing Gnome - Sharpsburg, PA
IPA - Triple
Mmmm... I love TIPAs!!
Can Purchased at Dancing Gnome
4.75 / 5 Bottle Caps!
Jim Miller, February 23, 2024
Side of House
Dancing Gnome - Sharpsburg, PA
IPA - American
Can purchased at Beer On 8
4.25 / 5 Bottle Caps!
Jim Miller, March 25, 2024
Signature Hazy Dough Dazy IPA
Dough Daddy Brewery
4399 Gibsonia Road, Gibsonia, PA
IPA - New England
Buckle up for a wild and whimsical adventure with Dough Daddy Beer's Hazy Dough Dazy! This beer is an amusement park in a glass, ready to thrill your taste buds! As you take the first whiff, tropical aromas whisk you away to a paradise of juicy pineapple, passion fruit, and mango. A mischievous marmalade made of sweet citrus fruits joins the party, while a hint of honeydew melon keeps you on your toes. Smooth, tasty and an easy drinker! Keep them coming. Nice place, too. The wings were good and so was the pizza!
Cheers 🍻
Draft from Dough Daddy Brewery Tap Room
4 / 5 Bottle Caps!
Jim Miller, May 27, 2024
Skelm
Ever Grain Brewing Co.
IPA - Imperial / Double New England
Very nice DIPA.
Can - Purchased at Beer on 8
4.25 / 5 Bottle Caps
Jim Miller, December 1, 2023
SLUSHY XL - Acapulco Gold
450 North Brewing Company
Micro Brewery
Columbus, IN, USA
IPA - American
Acapulco Gold XL is conditioned on Goldenberry, Golden Kiwi & Golden Raspberries
Citrusy - Pineapple - Sweet - Bitter - Tropical
Earned the Beer on 8 (Level 16) Badge
Earned the Fruits of Your Labor (Level 33) Badge
Earned the Dessert Time! (Level 11) Badge
Can - Purchased at Beer on 8
4.25 / 5 Bottle Caps
Jim Miller, January 6, 2024
Spacewalker IPA
Great Lakes Brewing Company
Cleveland, OH USA
IPA - Imperial / Hazy Double
Mmm, Beer!
8% ABV - 70 IBU
Cheers! 🍻
Draft
4.25 / 5 Bottle Caps!
Jim Miller, September 14, 2024
Stone 28th Anniversary Hazy Double IPA
Stone Brewing
Escondito and San Diego CA, Richmond VA USA
IPA - Imperial / Double
Happy Anniversary!
Delicious!
Cheers! 🍻
Can purchased at Save on Beer
4.25 / 5 Bottle Caps!
Jim Miller, October 5, 2024
Strawberry Pineapple Wheat
Great Lakes Brewing
Wheat Beer - Other
This is a good summer/pool beer!
Cheers! 🍻
4 / 5 Bottle Caps!
Jim Miller, July 11, 2024
Stuck-Up, Half-Witted, Scruffy-Looking, Nerf Herder
Ill Will Brewing
Nano Brewery - Columbiana, Oh
Other
In honor of Official Star Wars Day - May the Fourth be with you - We review this Favorite. The banthas in A New Hope were all played by Mardji, one 8,500 pound, 22-year-old, female Asian elephant, who was also an adept water skier. In Star Wars, Bantha Milk, or sometimes "Blue Milk" or "Tatooine Milk", is a rich, blue-colored liquid produced by female banthas. It is known for being refreshing and opaque, which suggests that it is sweet. Sentients enjoy it served cold, made into butters, ice creams, yogurt and cheeses, and also consumed spiked with alcohol.
Han Solo gets called a lot of things in Star Wars, but the most famous and quotable is probably in The Empire Strikes Back when Princes Leia calls him a "stuck-up, half-witted, scruffy-looking nerf herder". Nerf herders are people who Herd Nerfs. Banthas are different animals that produce the blue Bantha Milk.
4.5 / 5 Bottle Caps!
Jim Miller, May 5, 2024
Super Squish
Cinderlands Beer Co
IPA - Imperial / Double New England / Hazy
Good one!
Cheers! 🍻
Can purchased at Hampton Beer Outlet
4.25 / 5 Bottle Caps!
Jim Miller, November 11, 2024
Tentacle Squad
Dancing Gnome. IPA - American.
Great IPA from one of the best local breweries in Pittsburgh! Everything they make is good!
4.25/5 Bottle Caps
August 24, 2023
Triple Lustra
Dancing Gnome - Sharpsburg, PA
IPA - Triple
One of my all-time favs! A great beer!!!
Cheers! 🍻
Can purchased at Save On Beer
5 / 5 Bottle Caps!
Jim Miller, June 7, 2024
Tropic Mutant
Oskar Blues Brewery
Longmont, CO; Brevard, NC; Austin, TX
IPA - Other
This was pretty tasty...
Cheers! 🍻
Can purchased at Save on Beer
4.25 / 5 Bottle Caps!
Jim Miller, October 12, 2024
Turbo Reaper
3 Floyds Brewing
IPA - American
Driveway Jim strikes again! Not bad. I'm leaning back into the West Coast,
Can - Purchased at Save on Beer
4 / 5 Bottle Caps
Jim Miller, June 3, 2024
The Waldos' Special Ale (2024)
Lagunitas Brewing Co.
IPA - Triple
Sticky, danky deliciousness! Look forward to this every year. I like drinking beer out of any vessel, but I like drinking straight out of the bottle better than a can. Most craft breweries can their beers because it is hard to get good bottles. There are still some out there! This one is a winner!
Earned the Waldos' Wonderer Badge
Bottle purchased at Save on Beer
4.5 / 5 Bottle Caps!
Jim Miller, April 14, 2024
WARLOCK
Southern Tier Brewing Company, Lakewood, NJ
Pumpkin / Yam Beer
Warlock is dark and mysterious: flavors of pumpkin pie laced with coffee and dark chocolate meld together into something magical. Reignite your senses with Warlock's huge roasted malt character and smooth-as-velvet mouthfeel. I'm not a big pumpkin beer person, but there are a few really good seasonal beers that i do enjoy. This one is available just about anywhere. If you don't like Dark Beers, it's sister beer is the Pumpking!
Dark - Sweet - Smooth - Strong - Spicy
5 / 5 Bottle Caps
Jim Miller, October 5, 2023
Whole Punch: Dreamsicle
Hitchhiker Brewing Company
IPA - Milkshake
I love this one. I'm not sure if I like the double better, but this is a great beer that truly tastes like a dreamsicle.
Can - Purchased at Beer on 8
4.5 / 5 Bottle Caps
Jim Miller, June 2, 2024
Whole Punch: Jelly Donut
Hitchhiker Brewing Company
IPA - Milkshake
Like the can reads : brewed with donuts, raspberry, vanilla and milk sugar! It's an IPA with fruit flavors. It taste like a jelly donut. Much different than fruited sours (we have some of those coming up). It's FANTASTIC! The draft - purchased at Hitchhiker Brewing - was very tasty. I just wish I got more than I did.
4.5 / 5 Bottle Caps
Jim Miller, September 8, 2023
White Out
New Trail Brewing Company
Williamsport, PA USA
IPA - Imperial / Double
I'm a fan! New Trail Brewing makes very good craft beers at an affordable price! Try anything from NT ... you'll like it!
Cheers! 🍻
Can
4.5 / 5 Bottle Caps!
Jim Miller, September 28, 2024
Yam Jam
Dancing Gnome - Sharpsburg, PA
IPA - American
Still my favorite Jam!!! Yam Jam is the Anniversary variant of our single-hopped series of IPAs known as the Jam series. After joking about it for far too long, we roasted 100 lbs of fresh yams and tossed them into the mash for an extra balanced meal of a beer. Hopped aggressively with Vic Secret, Galaxy, Mosaic, and Citra hops, Yam Jam showcases the best of our six hop variants blended to best express the balance and complexity of the series as a whole. We hope you enjoy this lusciously hyper-hopped IPA.
Hoppy - Juicy - Subtle - Light - Tropical
Can - Purchased at Beer on 8
4.5 / 5 Bottle Caps
Jim Miller, November 23, 2023
Zombie Dust
3 Floyds Brewing
Pale Ale - American
Funny how easy this is to get now. It's a solid pale ale.
Cheers! 🍻
Can purchased at Save On Beer
4.25 / 5 Bottle Caps!
Jim Miller, June 14, 2024