12 Jun Baa Baa Brewhouse Ennie NEIPA by Tony

Ennie NEIPA

Baa Baa Brewhouse

Brookshire

NEIPA

ABV: 6.9%

IBUs: 35

Packaging: Draft, 12oz. Cans

So imagine my surprise when I’m in another country and I open my email only to find that I’ve been invited to a special exclusive taste of Baa Baa’s latest NEIPA, Ennie!

Only problem is, it was sent a few days ago, and today’s the day, but I’M NOT EVEN IN AMERICA!! SMH.

Fast forward to now, and I’m home, and Chris grabbed me a can since I couldn’t make it. He’s alright no matter what y’all say.

Ennie is the first of a series of NEIPAs to be brewed by Baa Baa. Eenie, Meenie, Miny and Moe, with the latter three still to come. Ennie features 3 hops. Meenie will have the three from Ennie + 2 more, repeat with Miny and Moe, which will have 9 hops. (3, 5, 7, 9, for those of you on the struggle bus when it comes to math and patterns). They’ll be released beginning June, but Marcus and Kinga are going to be traveling a bit, so dates are still TBD.

The artwork for Ennie is gray and black with a hole in the can, revealing two curious eyes that follow you like the Mona Lisa, but aside from that, you won’t see much artwork from Ennie. Be on the lookout for a baby-block tap handle if you’re out and about.

Ennie NEIPA pours a picture-perfect hazy yellow-orange with a grip of creamy head that sticks around for 10+ minutes while I write the intro and take a few pics. The lace is fat and creamy as it snakes it’s way down the glass.

All the while I’m writing and snapping away, and his Ennie has taken over the room – I can smell bold grapefruit, pineapple and mango notes without even holding the beer to my nose.

Baa Baa’s Ennie NEIPA tastes much like it smells. There’s a subtle juice-like start that makes way for tons of fruity Hop flavors like pineapple and mango, and it ends with almost no bitterness and a lingering tropical aroma on the palette. The smooth finish is also devoid of hop burn.

Its pillowy and creamy, juicy and perfectly carbonated. Baa Baa may be one of the smaller breweries in the city, but what they lack in size, they make up for in quality. Every. Single. Time. Plus I love them and their story.

Liquid marshmallows meets citrus and tropical fruit + beer. I love it.

The Cow Jumped Over the Moon was great, no doubt, and it was the first in Houston to officially be billed as an NEIPA, (although Sam wanted to make sure y’all know Whole Foods DL Double was the first in Houston on the haze). I applaud Baa Baa for that, but Ennie shows a bit more complexity and balance. It reminds me of SpindleTap Houston Haze in the balance and a bit of B-52 Wheez the Juice in the mellowness and fruity hop flavors.

I love grapefruits, cranberries, Belgian endives, and anything that’s smooth and fruity yet bitter  – always have. That makes me think that NEIPAs might just get a higher rating from me simply because I’m inclined to enjoy the style more than others, but Ennie NEIPA has everything going for it. Therefore, I’m giving it 5 stars.

Not all IBU’s are created equally, as Feeding Frenzy was delicious in very similar ways, but it was 99 IBU’s. I mentioned in that review that it made me feel as though I needed to bump a few other 5 star write ups down, and Ennie is no different.

Ennie can only be found at Baa Baa as far as I know, but I’m sure if I’m wrong, somebody’ll let me know. Remember, I couldn’t make it out there, so go easy on me! Last I saw there were still some cans left, but I’m sure they’ll be gone by the end of the week. Scratch that. Kinga just let us know on Facebook that it’s all gone. Keep your eyes peeled for another can release in July, likely Meenie.

Ennie NEIPA is yet another fine entry into Houston’s haze race. I haven’t had one that I didn’t like, but a few have risen to the top, and this is one. What’d y’all think of it? Which hazy NEIPA is your favorite so far? Let us know below. Beers to you, Houston.