Tasted: IPAS
America’s favorite craft-beer style shows no sign of slowing down, as IPA continues its arc of dramatic evolution. Here, our blind-review panelists and editors sampled and reviewed hazy and American-style IPAS,
Double and Triple IPAS, plus fruited IPAS...
What the brewer says: “Juicy and flavorful hazy IPA with moderate hop aroma and bitterness.”
What our reviewers thought: “Subtle, muted tropical fruit: guava, papaya, tangerine, lemon. Clean, crackery malt doesn’t contribute much; moderately low sweetness, muted bitterness. Smooth, medium-bodied. Finishes dry, some bitterness lingering. Tasty enough, but aroma is pretty low for an IPA.”
What our editors thought: “Zesty lemon-lime nose, touch of earthy grain.
The sip is soft and fruity yet lean—the carbonation scrubs any sweetness for a fruitessence quality rather than juice. On the sparing side of juicy and hazy.” ABV: 6% IBUS: 53
Loc: Juneau, Alaska
What the brewer says: “Smooth and dry with a moderate bitterness. Dry hopped with Citra, Mosaic, and Sabro.” What our reviewers thought: “Dank, diesel, garlic hop notes; hints of onion, green pepper. Light, crackery malt and low sweetness blend with smooth bitterness, marrying into subdued hop flavor of light grapefruit, diesel, garlic. Light mouthfeel with subtle minerality. High drinkability. Odd choice of hops.” What our editors thought: “The nose cuts with clarity—confidently bright orange and soft lemon that don’t need sweetness as a crutch. The sip is a bit more PNW bitter than Massachusetts sweet, but that bitterness is gentle and reassuring.” ABV: 6.2% IBUS: 40
Loc: Yakima, Washington
What the brewer says: “New England–style IPA dry-hopped with Mosaic, Simcoe, Citra, and Topaz hops. A pillowy, hazy, and citrus-forward IPA.”
What our reviewers thought: “Wonderful notes of mango, mandarin, lemon, lemongrass, apricot. Flavor has lemony crispness, nice punchy flavor; great balance of sweet malt with tropical and stone fruit. Perfect amount of bitterness. Not weighed down by excess body or mouthfeel.”
What our editors thought: “Citrus and melon with a slight musty note. The sip offers clever bits of C-hops, sweet malt, and a round but slightly rough bitterness that seems to be everywhere at once.” ABV: 6.7% IBUS: 45 Loc: Cooperstown,
New York
What the brewer says: “Citronious blasts with the fresh flavor and aromas of citrus, mango, and tropical fruits.”
What our reviewers thought: “Citrus, pine, dank aromas compete for control; tangerine, grapefruit, hints of grass. Solid malt backbone, hints of bread and biscuit. Malt and softness couple to mute the hop flavors; they fall to the background. Touch of hop burn in the finish. Pleasant and drinkable, but the aroma is the star.” What our editors thought: “Big, bold orange in the nose—over the top, with a touch of light herb. The sip is sweet and juicy, with a note of almost toasted orange peel and almond.” ABV: 6.5% IBUS: N/A
Loc: Sarasota, Florida
What the brewer says: “A hazy twist on your main squeeze, this juice bomb explodes with notes of orange citrus sweetness and a soft malt body.”
What our reviewers thought: “Floral aroma with berries, rhubarb, touch of dried apricot. In flavor, mild caramel and bread-crust malt support hops— dried fruit, apricots, mango. Moderate sweetness throughout—lingers without cloying—fairly low bitterness. Really interesting. Aroma is supercool.”
What our editors thought: “Haze with a 1990s craft throwback nose— malty, with more estery fruit notes than hops. The sip highlights berry with a bit of orange and tropical fruit. Fun in its retro-malty simplicity.” ABV: 6.5% IBUS: 45
Loc: Bend, Oregon
What the brewer says: “A bold, grapefruit-driven citrus bomb with an appealing pungent edge.”
What our reviewers thought: “Interesting and inviting aroma: tangerine, grapefruit, orange, hints of earth and onion. Soft, gentle, smooth flavor—malt very subdued; hop flavors of tropical citrus, light pine, earth, orange peel. Light in body, avoids chalkiness. High drinkability but finishes on the sweeter side.”
What our editors thought:
“Green Gummy bear and light stone fruit on the nose, with a touch of straw. The sip is clean, straightforward, with a lean body that’s more crush than plush, for a warm summer afternoon.” ABV: 5.6% IBUS: N/A Loc: Paso Robles,
California
What the brewer says: “Our flagship NEIPA has the distinction of being the first beer brewed with Cryo hops in Alaska.” What our reviewers thought: “Inviting nose of dank earth, peach, mango, mixed berries, pine, green pepper. The flavor follows with rich blood-orange and enough perceived tartness to balance low-moderate bitterness and tropical sweetness. Heavy-handed malt detracts from nuances. A bit heavy and full-bodied.” What our editors thought: “Dehydrated orange and mango fruit leather on the nose. The sip is bold, tropical fruit–forward, with mango and passion fruit underpinned by bitterness and light funk. Confident and committed.” ABV: 7.5% IBUS: 50
Loc: Girdwood, Alaska
What the brewer says: “A juicy and balanced mix of citrus hops that bring out the aromatic characteristics of papaya and mango and finishes with a hint of ripe strawberries.”
What our reviewers thought: “Smells like freshly picked hops, a mélange of dankness, grapefruit, passion fruit, pine. Solid malt backbone balanced with smooth bitterness. Hop flavors dominate: pineapple, pine resin, diesel. West Coast flavor in a hazy IPA. Soft, pillowy mouthfeel. Pleasantly bitter, not harsh or astringent.” What our editors thought: “Vivid fresh-cut grass on the nose. Sip rides a classic orange-pine line, with significant bitterness. Oldschool IPA palate meets new-school techniques.” ABV: 6.2% IBUS: N/A
Loc: Denver, Colorado
What the brewer says: “Mosaicand Nelson Sauvin–hopped double India pale ale.”
What our reviewers thought: “Deep, dank hop forest: catty, garlic, diesel, shallot, with light grassy notes, citrus, and peach. Lightly sweet malt balances complex flavors of grapefruit, mango, with light grass and hint of garlic. Satisfying, medium-full body. Smooth. Great drinkability.” What our editors thought: “Juicy pineapple, mango, papaya, with black pepper and tannic berry; sophisticated yet accessible. Sweet, with tropical smoothie notes that barely steer clear of cloying thanks to a grounded bitterness. Not too sweet despite big residual sugar, thanks to copious hops.” ABV: 7.5% IBUS: N/A
Loc: Chicago, Illinois
What the brewer says: “A perfectly balanced malt bill accentuated by some of the most beautiful, fruity, and floral hops to deliver a world-class flavor.”
What our reviewers thought: “Peach and pineapple dominate aroma; light pine, sweet orange, earthy hops. Inviting. Low bitterness, slightly sweet but dries out well. Light malt backbone muddles hop complexity. Sharp mouthfeel, light astringency.” What our editors thought: “Candied orange and peel aroma with a toasted quality. The sip is surprisingly grainy, with low-key orange and lime that don’t get in the way of ‘beer’ flavor. Accessible for generalists, not adventurists.” ABV: 6.17% IBUS: 60 Loc: Woburn,
Massachusetts
What the brewer says: “Like totally loaded with juicy mango flavor, 1985 takes you back to the future of hazy IPAS.” What our reviewers thought: “Strawberry, peach, mango, guava dominate aroma. Low bitterness up front allows the complex berry and stone fruit to play without interference. Almost like hopped fruit nectar. Soft mouthfeel. Finishes dry and clears your palate quickly, inviting you to take another sip.”
What our editors thought: “Waxy Lemonhead candy and peach-candy nose. The sip brings more soft peach, with a prominent pale-malt note. Zippy carb provides a bit of bite, but it’s quick and easy with minimal contact.” ABV: 6.7% IBUS: 30 Loc: Fort Collins,
Colorado
What the brewer says: “This one is sure to please the hopheads looking for a super drinkable yet complex beer.”
What our reviewers thought: “Huge pineapple, orange, lemon, lemongrass; low vanilla note, hint of bread crust. Low sweetness, moderate bitterness, slight acidity in the finish.
Hop flavors dominate: orange, grapefruit peel, mango, peach. Lingering bitterness doesn’t detract from killer aroma. Good drinkability, solid, summery.”
What our editors thought: “Pungent tropical fruit with a spicy floral edge—clean and lean. Soft sip with mellow bitterness lets the fruit flavors push forward, yet they do so with a bright bite that never feels excessive.” ABV: 6.5% IBUS: N/A
Loc: Lafayette, Colorado
What the brewer says: “Fluffy mouthfeel, fresh tangerine, soft melon and papaya notes with a firm pithy bitterness.” What our reviewers thought: “Aroma leans West Coast: orange, peach, light pineapple, dank earth, diesel, and pine. Low-medium bitterness nicely cuts the gentle sweetness on soft mouthfeel. Orange and pineapple give way to almost-overripe peach mid-palate. Malt seems to mute the finer points yet rounds the edges.”
What our editors thought: “Spicy lemongrass nose plays its cards close. There’s an economy to the sip—unindulgent, only light residual sweetness— with fruity notes balanced immediately by a lingering rough bitterness.” ABV: 6.5% IBUS: 57
Loc: Atlanta, Georgia
What the brewer says: “Strata and HBC 692 hops make this hazy IPA burst with tropical fruit and dank pine.”
What our reviewers thought: “Aroma: peach, passion fruit, candied orange, light strawberry, pine. These give way to more tart lime, grapefruit pith, pineapple on the palate, with underripe raspberry on the tail end. Lingering tartness. Finishes fairly dry, a bit bitter, not harsh or astringent.” What our editors thought: “Dank weed notes intertwine with soft berry, stone fruit, and passion fruit. The sip brings the soft fruit notes forward. Wants a touch more bitterness in the finish.” ABV: 7% IBUS: N/A
Loc: Tampa, Florida
What the brewer says: “...With a big dose of coconut, papaya, and pineapple coming from double dry hopping with Sabro.” What our reviewers thought: “Odd profile: cedar, mint, persimmon, with intense peach and coconut. Evident malt: biscuit, pie crust. More peach in flavor. More tropical than citrus. Dry, woody finish, almost musty. Soft, creamy, no rough edges. Killer job.”
What our editors thought:
“Softly floral, tropical, touch of coconut; aroma wavers between Dove soap and creamy tiki drink. On the sip: citrus smoothie, woody vibe, and light tannic, herbal bitterness. Intriguing as it unfolds.” ABV: 6.7% IBUS: N/A
Loc: Greeley, Colorado
What the brewer says: “(Lactose-free) all-citra double IPA. Tropical papaya/pineapple/grapefruit hazy. Contains wheat and oats.”
What our reviewers thought: “Solid grapefruit, lime, tangerine, lychee, bright orange aroma. Light grassy hints. Extra orange in the flavor, creating impression of heavily hopped Oj—with gentle pine and vegetal notes. Solid malt flavor and sweetness balance hops well. Smooth, approachable bitterness, medium-full body. Breakfast, anyone?”
What our editors thought: “Bright Citra nose—orange, grassy herb, subtle funky undertone—and bold, sweet body. Big, intense orange and orange-smoothie notes on the sip, with a perfectly integrated bitter component that echoes in the juice. Intense, fruit-forward experience.”
ABV: 8% IBUS: N/A
Loc: Wilmington, North Carolina
What the brewer says: “Flavors and aromas of mango, peach, citrus, and pine needles, finishing with a soft mouthfeel.” What our reviewers thought: “Restrained aroma: slight tart berry, lemon, lemongrass, shades of pollen. Citrus flavors with pronounced grassy, dusty character, pithy bitterness, some lemon underneath. Healthy mouthfeel. Nice malt sweetness downplays the suburban backyard flavors.” What our editors thought:
What the brewer says: N/A
What our reviewers thought: “Vegetal aroma: dank garlic, diesel, onion, green pepper with pine, orange, and grapefruit following. Lightly sweet malt backs complex hop flavor that matches the aromatics. Pleasant, malt-derived sweetness rounds things out. Smooth drinking” What our editors thought:
What the brewer says: “We let our hand-selected Citra do all the talking in this pale golden elixir.”
What our reviewers thought: “Moderate tropical aroma: peach, mango, orange blossom, subtle pine and earth. Inviting. Flavor starts dank, piney, evolving into nectar-like stone fruit. Low sweetness balanced by smooth, gentle, lingering bitterness.”
What our editors thought: “Peaches and apricots in a gym locker; sweaty but glorious. Sip is big, sweet, and stone-fruity. Layers of clearly articulated flavors make for a fun exploration, finishing lightly bitter and clean.” ABV: 8.5% IBUS: N/A
Loc: Orange, California
What the brewer says: “The hop profile in this DIPA is kicked up by Enigma, Simcoe, and Citra hops, providing tropical flavors that are hard to miss.”
What our reviewers thought: “Ripe tropical fruit basket: guava, mango, pineapple, papaya. Dominant tropical hop flavor, though less intense than expected; undertones of spicy pepper, light oak. Mouthfeel a bit thin. Finishes mostly dry, some harsher finishing notes, alcohol lingering a bit.” What our editors thought: “Berry and fleshy passion fruit on the nose; glimpses of berry-tannins and spice—oddly Pinot Noir-like. Sip wavers back toward tropical fruit/ sweet/bitter, lean with flashes of sweet.” ABV: 8.5% IBUS: N/A
Loc: Auburn, New York
What the brewer says: “Triple with Galaxy and Mosaic.”
What our reviewers thought: “Bold nose; dank aromas play off pungent tropical, intense peach, super-ripe orange, alcoholic warmth. Flavor reveals floral and herbal notes—complex and intriguing— with musky passion fruit and dank citrus. Plenty of body and bitterness to back up heavy hops. Finishes dry enough to enjoy.” What our editors thought: “Beautiful display of tropical funk and sweetness in the nose— overripe passion fruit, tangerine, fried plantain. The sip is oddly light, with soft but pungent tropical notes tempered by residual sweetness. Expressive and bold yet controlled.” ABV: 10.2% IBUS: N/A
Loc: Torrance, California
IPA
What the brewer says: “Milkshake IPA brewed with lactose and conditioned on passion fruit, guava, and vanilla beans.” What our reviewers thought: “Massive tropical fruit up front—tart, with footy guava weirdness. Moderately sweet and rich; boozy tropical punch. Tart fruit and medium bitterness cut through what might have been cloying otherwise. Chewy body and sweetness are pleasantly restrained.” What our editors thought: “Intensely tropical fruit-and-vanilla nose with a few sweaty touches broadcasts a dessert beer. The sip isn’t as sweet as the nose suggests, its round body a touch watery. Vanilla smooths the rougher edges for drinkability.” ABV: 6.6% IBUS: 40 Loc: Easthampton,
Massachusetts
What the brewer says: “This IPA is fermented with blood-orange puree and hopped with Mosaic and Citra.”
What our reviewers thought: “Nose is fairly subtle—pleasantly tart; hints of rich, lightly caramelized citrus sweetness; light pith and earth. Rich flavor—moderate sweetness and bitterness—with great orange character throughout: tart, bright, without heavy sweetness. Crisp and fruity. Finishes a little sharp.”
What our editors thought: “Grainy baked orange on the nose with a touch of vitamin-chalk. The sip is orange juice and bitter peel, more wide-bodied than sweet, with a staid, workmanlike approach that’s less vivid and more resigned.” ABV: 6% IBUS: N/A
Loc: Debary, Florida
What the brewer says: “A delicious spring IPA we’ve paired with Mandarin citrus and citrus-forward hops, with a little kiss of vanilla to create a nice orange-creamsicle-esque IPA.”
What our reviewers thought: “Sweet citrus on the nose; earthy wheat. Pleasant citrus, sweet caramel, echoes of vanilla. Hint of residual sweetness fades to a dry, grassy finish. Hops balance well against fruity complexity. Good Creamsicle IPA.” What our editors thought: “Dominant citrus-flesh nose; bits of leaf, oily peel, grassy hops. The sip is clunky, with a malt-forward, bitter-citronella body. As that hit wears off, a peppery-orange spicy warmth sets in to brings it back around.” ABV: 6% IBUS: N/A
Loc: Denver, Colorado
What the brewer says: “Brewed with milk sugar to create a creamy, full-bodied beer, hopped with Citra, then conditioned on toasted coconut shreds.” What our reviewers thought: “Initial nutty nose backed by tropical character, before coconut flesh/milk arrives to sweeten things. Rich, creamy, tongue-coating. Decent sweet-bitter balance; light peach and orange notes. Over the top? Yeah, but that’s the point.” What our editors thought: “Nose avoids one-note coconut—fleshy, rich, like a well-made tiki cocktail. Sip brings out coconut milk; light tropical notes and rounded bitterness keep it in check. Never gets too loose or flabby.” ABV: 6.1% IBUS: N/A
Loc: Orange, California
What the brewer says: “Milkshake IPA brewed with hundreds of pounds of fresh strawberry puree and vanilla beans.” What our reviewers thought: “Bright, rich strawberry in aroma and flavor: moderately sweet, just enough bitterness to balance. Middle-of-the-road milkshake— soft, full-bodied, with little hop or malt character. Finishes dry enough. Nails the fruit ripeness balanced by vanilla and lactose.” What our editors thought: “Exuberant strawberry-smoothie nose captures nuances—sweet flesh, leafy hops—in an otherwise intense beer that throws nuance aside. Could be read as cloying—but it’s also engaging, with expert-tier strawberry expression.” ABV: 7.5% IBUS: N/A
Loc: Chicago, Illinois
What the brewer says: “Pounds of experimental hops and pineapple refract off one another to create a juicy, golden brew.” What our reviewers thought: “Wheaty aroma, light pineapple notes. Grain covers the fruit a bit, but pineapple pairs nicely. Light, lively, refreshingly dry, but with round body from carbonation, haze, and fruit. Fantastic complexity and balance.” What our editors thought: “Light, sweet pineapple on the nose. The sip is unbelievably light, lively, with light-but-satisfying body and gentle, fruity bitterness. Understated pineapple, trading sweetness for drinkability. Compelling.” ABV: 4.5% IBUS: N/A
Loc: St. Louis, Missouri
What the brewer says: N/A
What our reviewers thought: “Big, vibrant, tangerine-creamsicle aroma; assertive alcohol spiciness. Tangerine tartness pairs well with bitterness to almost balance the vanilla; finishes with a lingering sweet coating. Hops blend well with fruit to create a pleasant, lingering aftertaste. Nice, bright tangerine character, pretty sweet overall. A bit lacking in complexity.”
What our editors thought:
“Sickly sweet candied-tangerine nose also pulls up notes of rhubarb and forest fern. The sip continues the sweet jag with straight tangerine juice and minimal bitterness—simple and straightforward.” ABV: 8% IBUS: N/A Loc: Waunakee,
Wisconsin
What the brewer says: “Our unfiltered IPA is a celebration of New World hops and all of their versatility.”
What our reviewers thought: “Mango and candied fruit jump from the glass. Round, bittersweet flavor—low malt but nice sweetness, candied fruit still there—then finishing a bit earthy and resin-astringent. Classically molded with Pacific roughness, hindering drinkability but somehow nostalgic and reassuring.” What our editors thought: “Light tropical fruit-funk on the nose—less defined than others, but enjoyable in its subtlety. Light and dry in flavor, with a curious, tropically tilted, overripe-fruit bitterness that slightly overpowers the friendlier fruit.” ABV: 6.9% IBUS: 60
Loc: Walland, Tennessee
What the brewer says: “A wheat IPA with Mosaic.”
What our reviewers thought: “Aroma: tropical mango, pineapple, candied lemon peel, Sunkist soda pop, hints of coconut and curry. Smooth but complex flavor—bright caramel sweetness, good hop bitterness—going clean and fairly dry in the finish. Rounded, with a touch of lingering sweetness. Maybe a bit thin in the middle, but pleasant and easy to drink.” What our editors thought: “Soft, sweet tropical-pineapple nose. Hybridizing New England and West Coast, it doesn’t sacrifice much—big fruit notes, boldly expressed, despite the otherwise dry finish.” ABV: 6.8% IBUS: N/A Loc: Norwood, Massachusetts
What the brewer says: “Citrusy, tropical, and balanced American IPA brewed with six hop varietals and dryhopped with Simcoe.”
What our reviewers thought: “Lovely, bright, hop aroma—blood orange, mango—with wort-like sweet caramel. Unsweetened-orange-juicy—zesty, pithy flavor—with a balancing caramel note that smacks into a medium-high wave of bitterness. It sticks a bit, but you go back for that orange punch and malty hug.” What our editors thought: “Lightly toasted bread, soft tropical citrus on the nose. The sip offers light sweetness to amplify the fruitier flavors, reined in by an equally pitched bitterness. Balances on the bigger side.” ABV: 7.5% IBUS: 65
Loc: Tampa, Florida
What the brewer says: “An American hoppy IPA with a bright nose, distinctive texture—bold on the palate, dry finish.” What our reviewers thought: “Bready-toasty malt nose, low tropical hops—black tea and grapefruit. Pleasant, balanced flavor—leaning malt-forward, with hops and bitterness in the back seat. Balance leans sweet for mainstream appeal.” What our editors thought: “Nutty malt and earthy-spicy hops on the nose—subtle, warm. On the sip, honey sweetness hits with tongue-coating intensity. Light herbal bitterness in the finish, stopping short of scrubbing the palate. Present alcohol, despite moderate ABV.” ABV: 7.3% IBUS: N/A Loc: Richmond,
California
What the brewer says: “Massive tropical/dank/citrus aroma and flavor from... Amarillo, Simcoe, and Mosaic hops.” What our reviewers thought: “Pineapple and grapefruit aroma; stripe of vanilla and low, dough-like malt. Round, medium-high bitterness with fresh, grassy hop flavor; rolls through light sweetness and brief juicy tang to a defined bitter finish. Aromatic, round, compelling, and finishes clean.” What our editors thought: “Lightly toasted bread and soft tropical citrus on the nose. The sip offers a touch of sweetness to amplify the fruitier flavors, reining it in quickly with an equally pitched bitterness. Leans big.” ABV: 6.5% IBUS: 69
Loc: Berkeley, California
What the brewer says: “Flavors and aromas of tropical fruit, mango, and passion fruit from the Citra and Mosaic hops.” What our reviewers thought: “Bright, citrusy, floral nose—orange blossom, hint of vanilla. Flavor starts bright and sweet on rich malt—juicy tang drops into earthy, grassy, pine-tree-sap medium hop bitterness. Some sweetness and resin linger.” What our editors thought: “Highkey guava and passion-fruit notes bathe the nose in light. That lightness pushes the contrast in the sip, at the expense of mid-tone values—blown out between blazing topfruit notes and a sharply defined bitter end.” ABV: 6.8% IBUS: N/A Loc: Los Angeles,
California
What the brewer says: “A burst of floral bitterness from the Citra and Mosaic hops is balanced by a soft sweetness.” What our reviewers thought: “Tropical mango, passion-fruit aroma; soft edges of grapefruit, caramel, pine. High hop bitterness with floral, piney flavor, balanced by light caramel sweetness—a harmonious malt cushion. Clean finish, nothing to trouble more gulps. Standout IPA in retro form.” What our editors thought: “Subtle orange-and-tangerine nose, pleasant sweetness. Sip brings sharp bitterness—bold hit leaves nothing to the imagination, settling into a familiar citrus rhythm that fades into pith and zest, steering clear of sweet.” ABV: 7% IBUS: 70 Loc: Indianapolis,
Indiana
What the brewer says: “Brewed with flaked maize, heavily hopped with over eight pounds per barrel of hops.” What our reviewers thought: “Strong hop-forward aroma: citrus, passion fruit, pineapple, star fruit, light pine, diesel, garlic. Dry, crackery malt and firm bitterness, with dominant grassy, piney hop flavors. Medium-light body can’t contain the bitterness, which lingers, pushing into harsh territory. Great aroma; challenging bitterness.” What our editors thought: “Bright, juicy, overripe tropical nose—mango, papaya—cleanly expressed. The sip trades juiciness for broad, mouth-filling bitterness that steals the show.” ABV: 5.5% IBUS: 45 Loc: Charlotte,
North Carolina
What the brewer says: “Hopped with Rakau, Galaxy, and El Dorado to give strong notes of tropical fruit.”
What our reviewers thought: “Prominent aroma: lime zest, Orange Julius, pineapple, mango, floral notes, lemons, and light bready malt. Flavor continues citrus-hops focus—oranges, lime zest, floral, peppery—moderately sweet on smooth, creamy body, then bitterness kicks in.” What our editors thought:
“Light, clean, tropical nose—lychee and guava. The sip threads the tight space between West Coast bitterness and East Coast fruit with tremendous aplomb, both crisp and bitter, light and fruity, without sacrificing either.” ABV: 6.4% IBUS: 79
Loc: Portland, Oregon
What the brewer says: “Brewed with Amarillo, Azacca, Centennial, Citra, Mosaic, and Simcoe hops.”
What our reviewers thought: “Enticing, sweet, bright nose: lemon peel, lemon drop candy, orange, grapefruit, light malt. Tastes sweet up front—nicely balanced bready malt drawing out orange-grapefruit—rolling into firm bitterness, getting slightly rough in the finish and lingering. Low alcoholic heat as it warms. Want the hop flavors to sing louder.” What our editors thought: “White grape, kiwi, light pineapple nose, crisply defined. Soft tropical bitterness drives the sip, rounded, not overbearing, finishing quickly to let a bit of light malt shine.” ABV: 7.8% IBUS: N/A
Loc: Portland, Oregon
What the brewer says: “A ton of bitterness along with juicy, dank, resiny pine-like and citrus-forward hop character.” What our reviewers thought: “Zesty blood-orange nose, tropical; notes of honey, tobacco. Round flavor: light caramel sweetness, medium-high bitterness—tropical, zesty orange strips, piney hints, caramel. Finishes prickly on the tongue. A touch rough and resinous.” What our editors thought: “Classic C-hops citrus nose; herbal, dank. Sip is loud, with throwback DIPA bitterness smoothed and honed into a better version of itself. Avoids today’s fruit clichés with the attitude of an aging scenester, reminding you how things used to be better.” ABV: 8.5% IBUS: 98
Loc: Croydon, Pennsylvania
What the brewer says: “Tropical fruit, pronounced floral, citrus rind, and dank aromatics and flavors.”
What our reviewers thought: “Smells like a screwdriver—oj and vodka-like warmth, candied lemon, pith. Straightforward light-caramel sweetness draws out juicy-zesty hop flavor, calming into bitterness both restrained and sharp. Light on the tongue yet cloying a bit. Some alcoholic warmth. Fun, cocktail-like.” What our editors thought: “Neutral nose like Switzerland amidst citrus world war. While bitter battles rage, this big IPA rejects purely citrus or dank models, elevating smooth herbal bitterness to an artform.” ABV: 9.3% IBUS: 60 Loc: Atlanta, Georgia &
Virginia Beach, Virginia
What the brewer says: “Piney, hop-forward. Good malt balance.”
What our reviewers thought: “Nose of orange, pineapple, and honey; hints of zest and sweet tomato. Nondescript malt sweetness powers juicy-dank hop flavors—citrus and pine—intertwining and flirting with medium-high bitterness through a long, warming finish. Bright, sweet, juicy sort of hop wine.” What our editors thought: “Herbal bitterness on the nose with a touch of anise, but little of the favored citrus aromas we’ve come to expect. The sip brings more fruit— lychee, lime—but with a marker-sharp edge that keeps it at arm’s length.” ABV: 9.2% IBUS: N/A
Loc: Denver, Colorado