Where It All Began
NEIPA stands for New England India Pale Ale, a sub-style of IPA that first took off in the northeastern United States — specifically Vermont — around the early 2010s. The style is often credited to The Alchemist Brewery’s now-legendary Heady Topper, a hazy, hop-heavy brew that flipped the IPA world on its head. Instead of a bitter, piney West Coast finish, NEIPAs focused on lush tropical aromas, pillowy mouthfeel, and a hazy, opaque appearance. This style rapidly gained a cult following. Why? Because it offered everything people loved about hops — fruity aroma, juicy flavour — without the punishing bitterness that scared off some drinkers.
What Makes a NEIPA a NEIPA?
You'll know you're holding a NEIPA when you see:
Haze for Days
These beers are often brewed with high-protein grains like wheat or oats. The result? That signature glowing haze. Not murky, not chunky — just a luscious, opaque pour that almost shines in the glass.
Big Juicy Aromas
NEIPAs are dry-hopped to the max, which pumps up the fruity hop character without ramping up bitterness. Expect an aroma explosion of tropical fruit, stone fruit, and citrus — think pineapple, mango, passionfruit, and peach.
Low Bitterness, High Satisfaction
Unlike West Coast IPAs that come in swinging with bitterness, NEIPAs pull their punch. The late hop additions and dry hopping techniques bring all the flavour and aroma without the harsh bite.
Smooth Operator
One of the hallmarks of a NEIPA is its soft, full mouthfeel — often thanks to oats or wheat in the grain bill. The result is a creamy, pillowy texture that makes every sip feel like a breeze.
Hop-Forward, Not Hop-Harsh
These beers are still hop bombs — make no mistake. But they’re refined. The fruit-forward character leads the charge, with any bitterness tucked neatly into the background. The finish is off-dry and balanced, leaving you ready for round two.
Enter: The Boxer NEIPAs
Here at Boxer Brewing Co., we love a good hop story — and NEIPAs are some of the juiciest in the game.
Our hazy journey began with Best On Ground (B.O.G.) NEIPA, a fan favourite that packed a tropical punch with all the hallmarks of the style: low bitterness, smooth body, and a haze you could almost chew. While it’s now only available on tap in The Kennel (our taproom and sports bar), it laid the foundation for our next contender.
Introducing our Beer of the Month: Knockout “K.O.” NEIPA 🥊
This beer doesn’t pull punches.
Built on a powerful hop combo of Nectaron, Riwaka, Galaxy, and Citra, 'K.O.' NEIPA comes out swinging with big tropical hits of pineapple, passionfruit, juicy stone fruit, and tangy citrus. It’s hazy, creamy, and full-bodied — the kind of beer that earns its name.
Created by our Head Brewer Abby (who's a known fan of the NEIPA style), this beer was designed to showcase bold fruit-forward hops with balance and finesse. The lower bitterness lets the flavour shine, while the smooth mouthfeel and glowing haze make it a true New England classic with a Southern Hemisphere twist.
Ready to Taste the Knockout?
Whether you’re new to the haze craze or a long-time lover of juicy IPAs, Knockout 'K.O.' NEIPA is a must-try. It’s bold but balanced, fruity but structured — and it’s punching well above its weight.
Get it while it lasts — this one’s a heavy-hitter.
You can find Knockout 'K.O.' NEIPA:
- On tap at The Kennel (our taproom and sports bar on Tamborine Mountain)
- In cans for click-and-collect or delivery (free SEQ delivery on orders over $99)
- At select stockists around Brisbane — check the list on our website
