You’re standing in the beer aisle. It’s a sea of neon labels and puns. Then you see the orange can with the fox. New Realm Hazy Like a Fox isn't just another craft beer trying to be edgy; it’s basically become the blueprint for what a modern East Coast IPA should taste like when it’s brewed in the heart of the South.
Most hazy beers are a gamble. Sometimes they're too sweet, or they taste like you're chewing on a hop pellet. This one is different. It’s got that soft, pillowy mouthfeel that people obsess over, but it doesn't leave your palate feeling like it’s been coated in syrup. It’s approachable. It’s consistent. Honestly, that’s why it’s taking over taprooms from Atlanta to Virginia Beach.
What is Hazy Like a Fox exactly?
Let’s get the technical stuff out of the way first. New Realm Brewing Company, which has massive footprints in Atlanta, Savannah, and Virginia, calls this their flagship New England-style IPA. It sits at a very respectable 6.5% ABV. That’s the "Goldilocks zone" for IPAs—strong enough to let you know it’s there, but not so heavy that you're done after one glass.
The color is a bright, opaque gold. It looks like orange juice, which is exactly what a "haze bro" wants. But the science behind that cloudiness is actually pretty cool. It comes from the specific yeast strains and a heavy dose of oats and wheat in the grain bill. These proteins stay in suspension instead of filtering out. When you combine that with a double dry-hopping process using Citra and El Dorado hops, you get a fruit bomb.
We aren't talking about artificial fruit flavors here. It’s all about those hop oils. You get hits of pineapple, tangerine, and maybe a little bit of pear. It’s juicy. It’s vibrant. It’s the kind of beer that makes people who "don't like beer" change their minds.
The Mitch Steele Factor
You can't talk about Hazy Like a Fox without talking about Mitch Steele. If you aren't a total beer nerd, that name might not mean much, but in the brewing world, he’s a legend. He literally wrote the book on IPAs. No, really—he wrote IPA: Brewing Techniques, Recipes and the Evolution of India Pale Ale.
✨ Don't miss: Why the Siege of Vienna 1683 Still Echoes in European History Today
Before he co-founded New Realm, Steele was the brewmaster at Stone Brewing. Stone is famous for those aggressive, "Arrogant Bastard," bitter-as-hell West Coast IPAs. So, when the guy who helped define the bitter West Coast style moved to Atlanta to start New Realm, everyone wondered what his take on a Hazy IPA would be.
The result was Hazy Like a Fox. It reflects a master brewer's restraint. While many hazy IPAs are "flabby" (meaning they lack enough bitterness to balance the malt), Steele ensured this beer had just enough of a bitter backbone to keep it refreshing. It’s a bridge between the old school and the new school.
Why the Haze Craze Still Matters
Some people thought the hazy trend would die out by 2024 or 2025. They were wrong. People love these beers because they strip away the harsh, piney "bite" that scared people away from craft beer in the early 2000s.
Hazy Like a Fox thrives because it focuses on aroma. When you crack that can, the scent hits you before the liquid does. That’s the El Dorado hops at work. They provide a specific tropical sweetness that complements the citrusy Citra hops perfectly. It’s a calculated pairing.
Flavor Profile Breakdown
- Aroma: Think of a fresh fruit salad sitting on a picnic table in the sun. Lots of pineapple and citrus zest.
- Taste: Very little bitterness on the front. It’s smooth. You get waves of orange juice and a bit of stone fruit.
- Mouthfeel: This is the most important part. It’s "creamy" because of the oats. It doesn’t feel thin or watery.
- Finish: It cleans up surprisingly well. You aren't left with a lingering "hop burn" in the back of your throat.
The Geography of New Realm
New Realm isn't some tiny "nano-brewery" operating out of a garage. They’ve gone big. Their flagship location in Atlanta’s Old Fourth Ward, right on the BeltLine, is a massive complex. If you’ve ever been there on a Saturday, you know it’s packed.
🔗 Read more: Why the Blue Jordan 13 Retro Still Dominates the Streets
This matters because beer is a fresh product. The Hazy Like a Fox you drink in Georgia or South Carolina is likely very fresh because of their regional distribution model. Hops degrade quickly. Heat is the enemy. By keeping their footprint concentrated in the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic, they ensure the beer actually tastes like it’s supposed to.
They’ve also expanded into spirits and ready-to-drink cocktails, but Hazy Like a Fox remains the anchor. It’s the engine that runs the company.
Common Misconceptions About Hazy IPAs
A lot of people think cloudy beer means it's "unfiltered" and therefore "dirty." That’s not it at all. In the case of New Realm, that haze is intentional and stable. If you leave a Hazy Like a Fox in your fridge for a month, it shouldn't have a thick layer of sludge at the bottom. If it does, you’ve got an old can.
Another myth is that hazy beers are always higher in calories. While the oats and wheat do add some body, Hazy Like a Fox is fairly standard for its ABV. It’s not a "light" beer by any means, but it’s also not a meal in a can like a heavy Milkshake IPA or a Triple IPA.
Pairing This Beer With Food
Most people just drink this on a patio, which is fine. But if you want to actually pair it with food, you have to look at the acidity.
💡 You might also like: Sleeping With Your Neighbor: Why It Is More Complicated Than You Think
Because of the citrus notes, it goes incredibly well with anything spicy. Think Thai green curry or street tacos with a lot of lime and cilantro. The fruitiness of the hops cuts right through the heat of a habanero or jalapeño. It’s also a weirdly good match for goat cheese. The tanginess of the cheese plays off the tropical fruit flavors in the beer in a way that’s actually pretty sophisticated.
Avoid pairing it with heavy red meats or super rich chocolate desserts. The beer is too delicate for that. It’ll get drowned out. Keep it light, keep it spicy, or keep it salty.
How to Find the Best Cans
If you're looking to buy Hazy Like a Fox, check the bottom of the can for the "canned on" date. This is the pro move.
Ideally, you want to drink this beer within 60 days of it being packaged. 90 days is the absolute limit. After that, those beautiful El Dorado hop aromas start to fade, and the beer can start to taste a bit like wet cardboard. It’s just the nature of the style. Hazy IPAs are meant to be consumed fresh.
You’ll find it in 12oz cans, usually in six-packs, but it’s also a staple on draft lines throughout the Southeast. If you see it on a "Nitro" tap, grab it. The nitrogen bubbles make that already creamy mouthfeel even more insane.
Actionable Steps for the Best Experience
To get the most out of New Realm Hazy Like a Fox, don't just drink it out of the can. You're missing half the experience.
- Use a glass: Pour it into a tulip glass or an oversized wine glass. This allows the carbonation to release those tropical aromas.
- Watch the temperature: Don't drink it ice-cold. If it’s too cold, your taste buds are numbed and you won't pick up the pear and pineapple notes. Let it sit out for five minutes after taking it out of the fridge.
- Check the date: Always look for the freshest batch.
- Visit the source: If you’re near Atlanta, Savannah, or Virginia Beach, go to the brewery. Drinking this beer feet away from where it was fermented is the gold standard.
Hazy Like a Fox has stayed relevant because it isn't a gimmick. It’s a well-engineered, expertly brewed IPA that delivers exactly what it promises on the label. Whether you’re a craft beer veteran or someone just looking for something better than a standard lager, it’s a reliable, flavorful choice that defines the current era of Southern brewing.