Juice Freak IPA: what it is and how to find it

Juice Freak is an IPA from Cold Harbor Brewing, brewed in the juicy, fruit-forward style that has become common across New England. Stock at any shop changes, so the quickest way to see what CBC Liquors has right now is the IPA category page, which shows the IPAs on our shelves today.

What is Juice Freak IPA?

Juice Freak is an India pale ale made by Cold Harbor Brewing. The name tells you what the brewer is aiming for: a beer that leans on hop aroma and flavor rather than sharp bitterness.

That puts it in the family people usually call juicy or hazy IPAs. If you have had a beer described that way and liked it, Juice Freak is the kind of thing you are looking for. If you have not, the next section explains the style.

Whether a particular beer is on our shelf this week is a separate question from what the beer is. Stock moves, and a beer you saw last month may have been replaced by something new. The IPA page is where to look for the current picture.

What does a juicy IPA taste like?

A juicy IPA is built to smell and taste like fruit. Brewers get there by adding hops late in the process and during fermentation, which pulls out aromas that read as orange, grapefruit, mango, pineapple or stone fruit. The bitterness is kept low, so the beer feels soft rather than sharp.

The body is usually fuller than a classic West Coast IPA, and many of these beers look cloudy in the glass. The haze comes from yeast and hop compounds left in the beer on purpose. It is not a flaw.

If you want the clearest example of the style on our site, start with New England IPA. That page is the closest match to what most people mean when they search for a juicy IPA.

How is it different from other IPA styles?

IPA is a broad label, and it helps to know the main branches before you pick a can.

American IPA is the traditional version: clearer in the glass, with pine, citrus peel and a firmer bitter finish. Session IPA keeps the hop character but at a lower strength, so it suits a longer afternoon. Imperial IPA, also called double IPA, is stronger and bigger in every direction, and it is worth sipping slowly.

Juicy IPAs can come in any of those strengths, which is why the label on the can matters. Check the alcohol percentage as well as the style name, especially if you are buying for a mixed group.

Can I find Juice Freak at CBC Liquors in Westford?

Stock changes, so we can't promise a particular beer will be on the shelf on any given day. What we can tell you is where to look. The IPA category lists the IPAs we have in stock today, with our own best sellers shown first.

If Juice Freak is the beer you are after, check that page before you make the trip. If it is not there, the same page will show you other juicy IPAs that are, and you can compare them by brewery and style.

We are at 142 Littleton Rd in Westford, and the store is open Sunday 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM, Monday to Thursday 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM, and Friday and Saturday 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM. If you want a specific beer, the quickest approach is to check the page and then come by.

What can I buy if I want something similar?

If you like the idea of a soft, fruit-forward IPA, there are several in the IPA range worth a look. Here are a few from the current selection:

MAINE BEER CO Lunch is an IPA from Maine Beer Co. NIGHT SHIFT Santilli comes from a Massachusetts brewery whose cans you can browse on the Night Shift brand page. WORMTOWN Be Hoppy and BISSELL BROTHERS Substance are two more to try.

MIGHTY SQUIRREL Cloud Candy and Lawsons Sip Of Sunshine round out the group. Each has its own style and strength, so read the product page before you decide.

If you like to follow a brewery, our brand pages for Other Half, Toppling Goliath and Finback are a good way to see what each maker has on the shelf.

How should I serve and store a juicy IPA?

Serve it cold, but not ice cold. Straight from a very cold fridge, the fruit aromas are muted. Ten minutes on the counter before you pour lets them open up.

Pour it into a glass rather than drinking from the can. The aroma is half of what makes this style enjoyable, and a glass lets you get your nose into it.

Keep cans in the fridge and drink them fresh. Hop flavor fades with time, and juicy IPAs are generally best enjoyed soon after they are packaged. Look for a packaged-on or best-by date on the can and choose the newest one you can find.

What food goes with a juicy IPA?

The fruit character and soft bitterness make these beers easy to pair. Spicy dishes work well, since the beer's sweetness-leaning aroma takes the edge off heat. Tacos, curries and buffalo wings are all reasonable matches.

Rich, fatty food is another good fit. A burger, fried chicken or a sharp cheddar all give the hops something to cut through.

For something lighter, try a citrusy salad or grilled fish. The orange and grapefruit notes in the beer echo the same flavors on the plate.

Can I order beer from CBC Liquors without coming in?

CBC Liquors offers pickup, delivery and shipping in addition to walking in. Pickup hours match our store hours. Delivery runs Sunday 10:00 AM to 7:30 PM, Monday to Thursday 10:00 AM to 8:30 PM, and Friday and Saturday 10:00 AM to 9:30 PM.

We also serve Chelmsford, Carlisle, Littleton, Acton, Tyngsborough, Lowell, Billerica, Boxborough and Dunstable. You can see the towns on our liquor delivery areas page, and our shipping policy explains how shipping works.

As with in-store stock, what is available changes. Check the IPA page for the beers on offer before you order.