Today, Firestone Walker unveiled its latest offerings from Mind Haze, the widely celebrated and bestselling family of IPAs, bringing a fresh new look to the original Mind Haze Hazy Tropical IPA. Among the newcomers are Mind Haze Brain Melter, an Imperial Hazy IPA boasting an 8.5% ABV, and Mind Haze Cosmic Crusher, a Juicy Imperial IPA with a 9.5% ABV.
“The Haze craze is here to stay,” affirmed Brewmaster Matt Brynildson. “Mind Haze is one of our most celebrated beers and has become a playground where we explore our wildest ideas on where IPAs can go, allowing us to deliver world-class beers that meet the diverse taste buds of today’s drinkers.”
Both Mind Haze Brain Melter and Mind Haze Cosmic Crusher, with ABVs of 8.5% and 9.5% respectively, will be available in all Firestone Walker markets in canned (12-oz) six packs and 19.2-oz single-serve cans as year-round offerings. These new additions will also be part of a 12-oz twelve-can variety pack, alongside the original Mind Haze Hazy Tropical IPA, also available on draft.
Mind Haze IPA, introduced in 2018 as “a hazy IPA done the Firestone way,” has climbed the ranks to become a top 5 national hazy IPA and the #2 hazy IPA in California. Renowned for its explosive tropical hop flavors of pineapple, guava, and stonefruit, Mind Haze continues to capture the palate’s attention.
Currently, Mind Haze stands as Firestone Walker’s second most popular beer brand, following 805, the #1 craft beer of California and Nevada. The Mind Haze family continues to grow, with the introduction of the new Brain Melter and Cosmic Crusher extensions.
“Brain Melter is a beer that doubles down on everything we love about Mind Haze–mouthwatering tropical flavors with a bit more octane to give it an extra punch,” Brynildson explained.
The secret to Brain Melter lies in its blend of hops, focused on Vic Secret, Strata, and Citra, resulting in a flavor-fueled odyssey of mind-melding textures and flavors.
Cosmic Crusher, according to Brynildson, is their adventurous foray into the realm of imperial juicy IPAs. “It’s wild how the alcohol hides in this beer—it’s spooky, it’s a wolf in fuzzy sheep’s clothing for sure.” Built around the ultra-tropical hops Galaxy and Strata, amplified by a juicy yeast strain, Cosmic Crusher offers a punchy mango and pineapple character at high strength.
The updated Mind Haze packaging uses bright, bold colors that pop off the shelf, complemented by a supporting campaign designed to send the mind wandering. Firestone Brand Director Hannah Barnett expressed, “The aesthetic evolution of Mind Haze personifies what craft beer is all about–fearless creativity in and out of the can.”
