there's no way to know what an IPA will taste like before you crack it open
That's why I like brewers that publish their hops. I'm the opposite of you, I live for the citrusy, fruity type of hops and despise the more traditional floral/piney strains. If I see simcoe on the bill I'll go to bed sober, but if you've got Willamette or Cascade I'll make tea from them.
because I'd "like" to "know". Some people use them to communicate dubiousness, some people use them to indicate they're actually quoting someone, some "people" use them for emphasis.