Matt Likes Beer – Episode 25 – Wayfinder The Watchers

Episode 25 of Matt Likes Beer tackles one of the most polarizing modern beer styles of the past decade: the Cold IPA. The featured beer comes from Wayfinder Beer in Portland, Oregon, the brewery that not only created the recipe concept but also coined the term “Cold IPA” in 2018. For Matt—who actively seeks out the style—this makes Wayfinder the definitive benchmark. Matt opens by reflecting on the intense backlash Cold IPA received when it first appeared, noting that the hostility rivaled—and even surpassed—the early resistance to Hazy IPA. He contrasts that early reaction with the sudden, almost overnight acceptance the style enjoys today, raising questions about how and why beer communities choose what to embrace or reject. Drawing directly from Wayfinder’s own published definition of the style, Matt explains what sets Cold IPA apart: heavy use of rice adjuncts, lager yeast, a very dry finish, and an emphasis on clean fermentation that allows American hops to shine with clarity and precision. He also points out that Wayfinder has effectively written their own style guideline—complete with vital statistics—despite the BJCP not yet adopting Cold IPA as a standalone category. Because no official BJCP style exists, the beer is evaluated as a 34B Mixed-Style Beer, declared as American IPA + American Lager, which Matt agrees is the best available option—even if it doesn’t fully capture what Cold IPA truly is. Using this framework, he conducts a full judging breakdown, noting a medium-yellow appearance with persistent foam, expressive citrus-forward aroma, light herbal and dank hop character, subtle grain notes, and a distinct but restrained lager yeast presence. Flavor-wise, the beer delivers orange zest, grapefruit rind, floral and herbal hop notes, light toasted grain, and a crisp, slightly dry finish. However, Matt finds the bitterness lower than expected for the style—particularly from the brewery that defined it. Mouthfeel is light-bodied and highly carbonated with surprising softness beneath the fizz, contributing to excellent drinkability. The final score lands at 35 out of 50, placing it squarely in the “Very Good” range. With no online reviews to read—of any rating—the episode pivots into an extended and impassioned soapbox segment. Matt unpacks the early hatred directed at Cold IPA, arguing that much of the criticism was aimed at the name and concept, not the beer itself. He connects that reaction to a broader problem within craft beer and homebrewing: resistance to innovation, gatekeeping, and a reflexive hostility toward anything new or unfamiliar.