Barrio Hipsterville Hazy IPA Review

Barrio Hipsterville Hazy IPA Review – Can This Beer Win Over a Non-IPA Drinker?

I’ll admit something right up front. I’m not generally an IPA guy. Give me a good wheat beer or a crisp pilsner, and I’m a happy camper. But put an IPA in front of me, and I’m usually a little skeptical. That doesn’t mean I refuse to drink one. It just means the beer has a little more work to do to impress me.

That brings me to Hipsterville Hazy IPA from Barrio Brewing Co. in Tucson, Arizona. With a name like Hipsterville, I expect something a little different. And according to the brewery, that’s exactly what this beer aims to deliver.

Instead of focusing on aggressive bitterness, Hipsterville emphasizes tropical hop flavors, a rich mouthfeel, and a softer drinking experience. Now that sounds like an IPA I can at least approach with an open mind.

Why Hipsterville Isn’t Your Typical Bitter IPA

One of my biggest complaints about IPAs is the bitterness. I understand that plenty of beer drinkers love that strong, hoppy bite, but it’s simply not what I normally look for in a beer.

Hipsterville takes a different direction. Barrio Brewing describes this hazy IPA as tropical fruit-forward, with intense aromas and modest bitterness. That combination is what makes me curious.

At 6.4% alcohol by volume and 31 IBU, Hipsterville has some strength without carrying the bitterness numbers of many traditional American IPAs.

Of course, bitterness isn’t determined by IBU alone. The hops, malt, and overall balance all influence how a beer tastes. Still, those numbers give me a useful starting point.

What’s Going On With All That Haze?

One thing I find interesting about hazy IPAs is their appearance. Unlike the clear golden beers I typically enjoy, Hipsterville features a cloudy, light orange color.

That haziness is part of the style. Hazy IPAs often emphasize a softer texture and expressive hop aromas rather than the sharp bitterness associated with some other IPAs.

According to Barrio Brewing, Hipsterville offers tropical aromas and a rich mouthfeel. Those characteristics help explain why this style attracts beer drinkers who want hop flavor without an overwhelming bitter finish.

I also like that the beer has a little personality. Between the name, its cloudy appearance, and the tropical flavor profile, Hipsterville certainly doesn’t try to blend in with a lineup of ordinary lagers.

Can Tropical Flavors Change My Mind About IPAs?

Here’s where things get interesting for me.

I’m not against hops. I just don’t enjoy it when bitterness takes over the entire beer. If a brewery can bring out interesting flavors while keeping that bitterness under control, I’m much more interested.

Hipsterville’s tropical character is what makes it worth considering. The brewery emphasizes fruit-forward hop flavors rather than a harsh finish, and that’s a direction I appreciate.

But I also understand that tropical aromas don’t automatically make an IPA sweet. Those fruit-like characteristics often come from the hops themselves, not necessarily from added fruit.

For me, the real question is whether those flavors create a beer that’s enjoyable from beginning to end, rather than something that sounds better on paper than it tastes in the glass.

Why Barrio Brewing Keeps Hipsterville Around

Something else catches my attention about this beer. Barrio Brewing generally focuses on more traditional beer styles, but Hipsterville earns a place in its regular lineup as the brewery responds to demand for a hazy IPA.

I think that says something about how much Arizona’s craft beer scene continues to evolve. Breweries can respect traditional styles while also offering something for drinkers who want a different experience.

And while I’m not the biggest IPA enthusiast, I certainly understand why hazy IPAs have their fans. Their emphasis on aroma, texture, and tropical hop flavors offers a different experience from the aggressively bitter IPAs that often come to mind.

My Take on Barrio Hipsterville Hazy IPA

I approach Hipsterville with a healthy amount of skepticism, but also with an open mind. Its modest bitterness and tropical character make it more appealing to me on paper than many hop-heavy alternatives.

Does that automatically make it one of my favorite beers? Absolutely not. A good description can get my attention, but the actual drinking experience is what matters.

I don’t believe every beer needs to match my personal preferences to deserve recognition. If Hipsterville delivers what hazy IPA fans want, that’s worth appreciating, even if I generally reach for something else.

And who knows? Maybe a hazy IPA like this is exactly the kind of beer that makes someone like me reconsider the style.

IPA Lovers, Is Hipsterville One of Arizona’s Best?

Now I want to hear from the people who actually love IPAs!

If you’re a fan of Barrio Hipsterville Hazy IPA, here’s your opportunity to show some support. AZ Beer Drinkers lets you vote for your favorite Arizona beers and help determine where they rank against other local brews.

There’s no account to create, no complicated review process, and no need to write a lengthy explanation. Just find your beer and vote.

And here’s the best part: you can vote for Hipsterville once every day!

Vote for Barrio Hipsterville Hazy IPA!

I’m curious to see how this beer performs against other Arizona IPAs. Whether you’re a dedicated hop lover or someone who occasionally steps outside their usual beer preferences, your vote helps shape the rankings.

Editor

Brandon LaVere — Founder of AZ Beer Drinkers

AZ Beer Drinkers is a beer discovery website built to help people discover local breweries, explore different beer styles and see which beers other Arizona beer drinkers are voting for.

Through AZ Beer Drinkers, Brandon combines local beer discovery, community voting, brewery features and his own perspective as he explores Arizona’s beer scene.

His goal is simple: help people discover more Arizona beer while giving local breweries and businesses another way to get discovered.