Thomas, thanks for replying so quickly!
Cheers

Jonathan, that’s a fair point! Although anyone could argue the categorization of beers to death, the NE IPA and East Coast IPA did originate separately and at different times. Of course, one could also make the argument that hazy IPAs and NE IPAs are different beasts as well, or that only select West Coast IPAs left malt behind (Reno, NV’s Great Basin has always been a malt-forward brewery). In any case, I agree that they are different and I’ll update the post to reflect that soon.

You should consider doing more research on the terminology. East Coast IPAs and New England IPAs are two (very) distinct styles of IPAs. East Coast have existed for over two decades (think Dogfish Head) and are both malty-sweet and bitter/hop-forward, whereas New England (NEIPAs) are the juicy, hazy versions originating mostly in Vermont/Massachussets that are quite popular right now.

In contrast, West coast IPAs are less malty than East Coast and very much hop forward, usually the most bitter ones (not in term of IBUs but mostly because of the lack of malt sweetness).

Hope this helps clarify. People often get East Coast and New England (or North-East) confused, but these styles originated at least a decade apart.

In the end, these styles have not yet been classified by the BJCP but a thorough search through brewing forums shows a certain consensus — apart from the occasionnal NEIPA / East coast mix-up — that this is the story these styles will tell.