Episode 20 of Matt Likes Beer finds Matt deep into Dry January 2026, reflecting on health goals, pre-recorded episodes, and the realities of balancing beer enthusiasm with personal wellness. The beer in the spotlight is Dollar Slice, a hazy IPA from Other Half Brewing in Brooklyn, New York—chosen initially for its pizza-inspired label and unexpected name.
Matt shares his prior experience with Other Half, noting that while he’s enjoyed their IPAs before, this particular beer was a classic case of label buying—a marketing reality many craft beer fans know well. A deeper look into the brewery’s catalog reveals a diverse lineup beyond IPAs, including lagers, sours, and spontaneous fermentation beers, even though hop-forward styles clearly dominate their production.
During the tasting, Matt addresses an important judging dilemma: while the can simply says “India Pale Ale,” further research—and the beer’s unmistakable appearance—confirm it should be evaluated as a 21C Hazy IPA. Using BJCP guidelines, he breaks down the beer’s opaque yellow appearance, exceptional head retention, intense citrus and tropical fruit aroma, and luxuriously soft, creamy mouthfeel.
Flavor-wise, Dollar Slice delivers vibrant orange zest, pineapple, and juice-forward hop character from Citra and Galaxy hops, earning high marks across the board. A slight lingering off-flavor prevents a near-perfect score, but the beer still lands at an impressive 41 out of 50, firmly in the Excellent range. Matt emphasizes that without this minor issue—possibly isolated to the can or palate—this could easily have been a mid-40s standout.
With no one-star reviews to read, the episode closes on a thoughtful soapbox moment about Untappd, consumer-driven beer trends, and the disconnect that can occur when breweries resist making the styles people actually want to drink. Matt balances critique with humility, acknowledging the complexity of running a brewery while reaffirming his belief that variety, responsiveness, and drinker feedback matter.
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