IPA Archives | Short Brews

Best Tasting Low-Calorie Beers For 2026

Thomas Short — Sun, 19 Jul 2026 14:51:49 +0000

As far as drinks go, beer tends to be one of the highest-calorie options you can choose. But it doesn’t have to be that way, since many breweries have made a bigger effort to create low-calorie beers that are both big in flavor and better for your waistline. Before I continue, keep in mind that all beer has calories. If you’re trying to lose weight, I suggest switching to something with fewer calories. But if you want to make healthier choices without entirely cutting beer from your diet, there are plenty of options available. Here are the best-tasting low-calorie beers (and yes, I’ve tried them all). 10 Best Lo-Cal Beers for 2026 Firestone Walker Flyjack Hazy IPA: 96 Calories The folks at Firestone Walker have done it again! Previous iterations of this list have included brews from Firestone Walker, but Flyjack Hazy IPA makes the list this year. At just 96 calories, this sessionable hazy is a cool 4% ABV, making it a nice balance of drinkability and flavor with under 100 calories per can. Best for: Any type of water activity Heineken Silver: 95 Calories Heineken Silver is one of the only big-name brands that ranks in my favorite low-calorie beers (and best light beers). It only has 95 calories and 3.2 grams of carbs. It’s so light that it basically doesn’t count, and it manages to do so without being devoid of all beer flavor. Of all the light (or lite) beers you find, this is my go-to. Best for: Golfing Deschutes Da Shootz! Pilsner: 99 Calories Doubling as an effort to help people correctly pronounce the brewery name, Da Shootz! from Deschutes Brewing is the perfect sunny day beer. While Da Shootz! comes in at just 4% ABV, drinkers can rejoice that they’re sipping on a beer under 100 calories. Oh, and the artwork is phenomenal, A+ work. Best for: Enjoying indoors Dogfish Head Slightly Mighty Lo-Cal IPA: 95 Calories Slightly Mighty is the best description for this low-cal beer from Dogfish Head. Heck, Lo-Cal is even in the name! I’m pretty sure this is basically a Session IPA, making it one of several on this list. But it’s 4% ABV and has just 3.6 grams of carbs, making it worth drinking if you want a low-calorie option. Best for: Taproom drinking (where available) Shiner Light Blonde: 99 Calories Just sneaking in under 100 calories, Shiner Light Blonde is 4.2% ABV with just 3.4g of carbs per bottle. This is a super light blonde ale that almost drinks like a lager. If you love Shiner Bock and want to cut down on calories, this is an easy beer to sub in. Best for: Daytime social gatherings Guinness: 125 Calories You didn’t think you’d see Guinness on this list, did you? With only 125 calories, Guinness is a surprisingly low-cal beer, and it’s easily accessible, pretty much everywhere you can buy beer. While stouts aren’t the best in the sun, they sure do taste good in a pub at night! Best for: Pubs Lagunitas DayTime IPA: 98 Calories Not only is the Lagunitas Day Time IPA a nice low-cal option, but it actually tastes pretty good. The 4% ABV is well below most of Lagunitas’ normal beers (for reference, they have a 6% ABV pils), and it’s honestly a nice change of pace. Best for: Watching baseball Ballast Point Even Keel IPA: 114 Calories Ballast Point beer is routinely good, though most people probably only recognize the Sculpin IPA. Well, Even Keel is a bit different. It’s got plenty of mango flavor, especially as it warms up a little bit after opening. At 3.8% ABV, this low-calorie beer is perfect for a nice, summery day. If you’re ever visiting San Diego, I highly recommend making a visit to Ballast Point and trying this out. Best for: Drinking while grilling food Athletic Brewing Run Wild IPA: 90 Calories Many beer drinkers are privy to non-alcoholic beers, and some might have even tried Athletic Brewing’s Run Wild IPA. What this 90-calorie beer lacks in alcohol (it is 0% ABV), it makes up for in pure quality. Seriously, you would never know you’re not drinking an alcoholic IPA with this beer. It’s 100% worth trying, and easily the healthiest option on this list. Best for: Post-workout relaxation Michelob Ultra I don’t have to push Michelob Ultra on anyone since it’s the best-selling beer in the country. But it sells so well for good reason. At just 95 calories and 2.6g of carbs, Michelob Ultra does a good job of balancing flavor and lightness, something that most light beers struggle with (or ignore trying to do entirely). Michelob markets itself as a beer for athletes, and that’s honeslty what it’s best for. Best for: Athletic things Other Low-Calorie Beer Questions

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Does Beer Age Like Wine?

Thomas Short — Mon, 06 Jul 2026 18:21:34 +0000

Yes, beer can age like wine, but only some of it can, depending on the style. Most beer, from your lagers to your IPAs, is brewed to be enjoyed fresh, or as close to fresh as possible. Many flavors in beer break down over time, so older beer loses its balance of flavor and carbonation. But a few styles, mostly the boozy and funky ones, can actually improve in quality over several years, assuming they’re kept in the right conditions. Quick Reference: Beers that Age Like Wine (and Beers that Don’t) Style Ages Well? Why? Ideal Drinking Window Barleywines Yes High ABV and residual sugars keep it going 2–10 years Imperial Stouts Yes Alcohol and malt preserve the beer, while oxidation adds sherry and toffee notes 1–5 years Belgian Strong Ales and Quads Yes Malt-forward, low hop bitterness, so it holds up well 1–5 years Sours and Lambics Yes Brett and Lacto yeasts keep working in the bottle 1–10+ years IPAs and Hazy IPAs No Hop aroma fades within weeks Drink fresh Pilsners and Light Lagers No These are delicate, and they don’t preserve well Drink fresh Wheat Beers No Yeast-driven aromatics fade fast Drink fresh Why Some Beers Age Well Beers age well for different reasons, but the main factor is alcohol and sugar. Alcohol and sugar act as preservatives, and hops don’t. High-ABV beers and those with a lot of residual sugar have more substance for slow oxidation to gradually work with over time. Over the years, something with a bready, malty character can transform into something nuttier, then toffee-like, then eventually sherry-like. This is due to a slow chemical process that requires alcohol and sugar to work. Beers with active Brettanomyces or Lactobacillus (found in most sours and lambics) also age well, but for a different reason. Brett and Lacto are still active in the bottle after packaging, and they continue to change, and often improve, the flavor of the beer. Hops don’t work that way. The aromatic compounds found in hops are volatile and break down over a few weeks or months. If you want the most flavorful IPA, you should pick the freshest option. Beer Styles Worth Cellaring If you want to sit on a beer for a while, these styles tend to improve the most. I say “tend to” because quality is a huge factor, with lower-quality beers aging the wrong way. How to Cellar Beer If you have bottles that you want to age, here are a few tips: Does Cellaring Beer Actually Work? Yes, cellaring beer actually works. I have anywhere from 10-20 beers cellared at any time, and most of them are great once opened. However, not all beer ages well. If a beer wasn’t bottle-conditioned correctly, or if there was something off with the brew, an aged beer can go from ok to terrible.

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Best Breweries in Ballard, Seattle

Thomas Short — Fri, 22 May 2026 21:23:55 +0000

Seattle has a reputation for craft beer, but you’d be hard-pressed to find a more craft-beer-dense neighborhood than Ballard. I should know; I lived in Ballard for years and watched breweries come, go, expand, and grow. There are many great breweries in Seattle, but let’s focus on breweries that you can find (and enjoy) in Ballard. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Short Brews Beer Blog (@shortbrews) Best Breweries in Ballard Ballard is spoiled with great beer and fantastic spots, and it’s tough to find a bad spot to get a beer. Here are my top spots to enjoy some craft beer in Ballard. 1. Stoup Brewing One of several great spots on NW 52nd St, Stoup is a great place to grab an IPA or lager and enjoy the outdoors. They have a large outdoor patio with a cool fire pit, and they often host pop-ups where you can buy odds and ends. My favorite part of Stoup is the upstairs area, which has a separate bar and a nice balcony. They have a meat vending machine, too! 2. Reuben’s Brews Sitting on 14th, Reuben’s is a mainstay in Ballard. Honestly, I don’t think the Ballard beer scene would be anything like it is today without Reuben’s. This spot has great IPAs and a fantastic line of seltzers. Just down the road is their barrel house, a smaller spot where you can try some more unconventional brews. 3. Fair Isle Brewing If you like Jester King and farmhouse beers, Fair Isle is the spot to go. Their saisons, sours, and similar styles are all fantastic. While their taproom isn’t my favorite, it’s definitely worth dropping by to pick up a bottle or two. 4. Bale Breaker/Yonder Cider Bale Breaker broke into the Ballard beer scene by moving into a huge location with a great indoor and outdoor area. Together with Yonder Cider, Bale Breaker took this awesome space and made it yet another go-to spot for great beer in the neighborhood. 5. Urban Family Brewing Urban Family has cemented itself as one of the top breweries in Seattle, not just in Ballard. They have a cozy outdoor space, and while they have a cool upstairs, I often find that it’s way too crowded. But the beer is really good here, and its location right across the street from Stoup makes it easy to hit two of Seattle’s best breweries in one quick visit. 6. Lucky Envelope Brewing Located on 50th, Lucky Envelope takes traditional beers and puts a little spin on them, whether that’s a seasonal beer to celebrate Lunar New Year or their year-round Raspberry Sour. My favorite beer I ever had here was an IPA made with Buddha’s hand, to give you an idea of the types of flavors they experiment with. Fun fact: my friend once told me the bartenders would mix him a Raspberry Sour and a Peanut Butter Stout they had on tap. I didn’t believe him. He asked the bartender if they would mix the two beers. The bartender said no. 7. Cloudburst Brewing Seattleites might be quick to say, “Cloudburst isn’t a Ballard brewery.” Yes, their main location is in Belltown, but their Ballard location fits in perfectly. Located on Shilshole, there really aren’t any other breweries super close by, making this an easy stop to pick if you’re out and about on Leary. The spot is surprisingly cozy, and the beer is always good. 8. Wheelie Pop Brewing A newer brewery to the Ballard neighborhood, Wheelie Pop draws its inspiration from racing. They specialize in lighter beers (think lagers, pilsners, etc) and do an excellent job. The space is a little industrial and not the most charming, but it’s worth stopping by to try their beers. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Short Brews Beer Blog (@shortbrews) 9. Obec Brewing Obec aims to tackle classic Czech and German styles. Their spot is cool and their pilsner is incredible, but a lot of their other beers leave something to be desired. If you like a good pilsner, it’s worth dropping in. Beers to Try in Ballard There are so many great beers brewed in Ballard, but here are some of my favorites worth highlighting: Stoup Mosaic IPA: This is my favorite year-round beer at my favorite Ballard brewery, so I had to mention it. But if it’s on tap, get the Mixtap Romeo lager. Obec Pilsner: If you’re stopping by Obec, this is the beer to get. Bale Breaker Bottom Cutter IPA: Bale Breaker is best known for their IPAs, and this is their best IPA (in my opinion). Fair Isle Bobbi Saison: You could honestly go with any saison at Fair Isle, but the Bobbi has been available every time I’ve stopped in. Reuben’s Crushable Hazy Pale Ale: It’s a great pale ale. I’d also recommend trying whatever seltzer they have on tap.

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Best Beers for Golf, Ranked for 2026

Thomas Short — Thu, 07 May 2026 15:50:40 +0000

Some things in life are always worth appreciating. A good beer. A nice round of golf. Of course, any golfer knows that you can’t just drink any beer on the course. Aside from the fact that you can’t bring your own beer (you would never do that, right?), some beers might have a more negative impact on your game and day. So, picking the right beers for golf is key. Here are the best beers for golf that you should be able to find on your course. Best Golf Beers, Ranked 1. Firestone Walker 805 There’s a lot to love about the 805. This beer is perfectly light, has good flavor, is 4.7% ABV, and doesn’t sit too heavily in your stomach. There are plenty of good occasions to grab an 805 outside of golf, but the course is a great place to enjoy this beer. 2. Ballast Point Grapefruit Sculpin IPA I know that adding an IPA is a bold call since IPAs, sunshine, and physical activity don’t mix very well. However, I think the Grapefruit Sculpin IPA gets a pass because the grapefruit flavor is just too perfect. It’s a 7% IPA that leans juicy and crisp, making it perfect to sip. Start your round with a Grapefruit Sculpin, or have one at the turn. Or have one after your round. If your golf course (or area) doesn’t carry this delicious beer, look for the regular Sculpin IPA or a Hazy Sculpin IPA. 3. Heineken Silver I don’t want to crowd this list with the “light lager” types (think Michelob Ultra, Coors Light, etc), but I’m going to highlight Heineken Silver. Why? Because it’s low-calorie and I legitimately like the flavor. It’s pretty close to the regular Heineken flavor while still being light and low-calorie, which is a great combination. 4. Deschutes Mirror Pond Pale Ale The Mirror Pond is a nice pale ale with real flavor, which I love. This beer does lean a little bitter and hoppy, but it’s just 5% ABV, meaning it packs a lot of flavor into a relatively light beer. It’s also available in most areas of the country, so it’s a safe pick if you see it on the beverage cart. 5. Local Lager Okay, this pick is a bit of a cop-out since it’s not a specific beer, but seriously consider buying a can of a local lager next time you’re golfing. Lagers are the perfect beer for sunshine, and you might find a local brewery that you enjoy! As an example, the Bandon Dunes Sheep Ranch Lager was the perfect pairing for Sheep Ranch, and I’m glad I gave it a try. 6. Athletic IPA The Athletic IPA, a great non-alcoholic beer, is legitimately one of the best beers to have on the links. Athletic does an incredible job of nailing beer flavor without any of the booze, perfect for someone who is taking their round seriously and doesn’t want alcohol affecting their swing. 7. Michelob Ultra I couldn’t honestly create a “best golf beers” list without including Michelob Ultra. Michelob Ultra is one of the best light beers and brings just enough flavor for you to notice without feeling heavy, which is perfect for a hot day on the golf course. I haven’t had a Michelob Ultra in any other setting, and I don’t think I will, but it’s great for golf. Golf Beers FAQs

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West Coast IPA vs East Coast IPA: What’s the Difference?

Thomas Short — Sun, 12 Apr 2026 15:05:17 +0000

Most beer drinkers can’t decide what an IPA actually is, let alone the difference between a West Coast and East Coast IPA. Typically, an India pale ale is a hoppy, bitter beer that has a higher ABV than most types of brews, and often is higher on IBUs (international bittering units). Easy. But having one type of IPA wasn’t enough. Nope, there needs to be even more types of the pale ale offshoots because…well, why not? Enter the West Coast IPA and East Coast IPA. When I say West Coast and East Coast, I’m talking about American coasts, so American-brewed beers. While IPAs are brewed all around the world, these specific styles hail from the USA (which is probably the best region in the world at producing IPAs). Both styles of IPA are technically India pale ales, but they are very different brews, further complicating the whole “what is an IPA” question. Since both types are relatively new (as in the last century), it’s hard to pin down exactly what they are. But I’ll give it my best shot. East Coast vs West Coast IPA: At a Glance Characteristic West Coast IPA East Coast IPA Appearance Crystal clear, golden Hazy, cloudy, murky Bitterness High bitterness, bold and dry Low to moderate bitterness, smooth Flavor profile Piney, resinous, citrus Juicy, tropical, fruity Hop timing Added during boil (hot-side) Dry-hopped after boil (cold-side) Common hops Cascade, Simcoe, Centennial, Chinook Citra, Mosaic, Amarillo, Strata Malt bill 100% barley with a dry finish Oats and wheat that’s velvety, sweet Yeast character Clean and natural Complex and expressive Mouthfeel Light, crisp, dry Full, soft, silky Typical ABV 6–7.5% 6–8% Best for Bitter beer lovers Juice fans and haze boys Example beers Pliny the Elder, Stone IPA, Sculpin Heady Topper, Hazy Little Thing, Julius What Is a West Coast IPA? The West Coast IPA is known for being bitter. Over the past few decades, it almost feels like West Coast brewers have been competing to make the hoppiest, bitterest, alcoholiest brews the world has ever seen. Look at brewers like Sierra Nevada, Stone, and Lagunitas. These guys have been thriving off their IPAs, and many West Coast breweries that launched in the past decade opted to use an IPA as their flagship beer. It all comes back to West Coast taste. Something about super-bitter IPAs goes well with the West Coast. While the era of “all craft beers MUST be bitter” has passed, the West Coast IPA has carved out its niche. These bad boy IPAs are super bitter, suppress the sweet flavor of malts, and embrace the hop profile. While not every West Coast style is going to be the most bitter beer brewed, we can make a sort of generalization: bitter = West Coast. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Short Brews Beer Blog (@shortbrews) Where Did the West Coast IPA Come From? West Coast IPAs come from…the West Coast of the United States! In all seriousness, we can trace the origins of the West Coast IPA to Anchor Brewing, which was essentially the first real craft brewery in the nation. Anchor decided to turn up the hops in the brew, and local brewers followed suit and began experimenting with more hops. While early West Coast IPAs still had a huge malt profile, most modern-day West Coast IPAs lean hoppier, which, in this case, means bitter. What Hops Are Used in a West Coast IPA? There’s no “rule” on what hops need to be used in any IPA, but hop profiles make some hops superior for specific brews. For West Coast IPAs, it’s pretty common to see hops like Cascade, Simcoe, and Centennial. Other hops that brewers use include Chinook, Columbus, and sometimes fruitier hops like Amarillo or Citra. What Is an East Coast IPA? The East Coast IPA is a bit more complex than the West Coast variant. While the West Coast styles force the hops, East Coast IPAs look for the complex flavors that come from each ingredient in the beer, including the malt. This isn’t to say that East Coast IPAs aren’t hoppy – they very well can be. But the flavor sought in an East Coast IPA isn’t going to make your head explode with bitterness. You can find this type of complex flavor in the current fad: Hazy IPAs. Hazy IPAs are notable for their generally juicy flavor and hazy look (buzz words, baby!). These are going to be sweeter and less bitter than the western brethren. No, Hazy IPAs and East Coast IPAs aren’t the same, but we would have never had the hazy IPA without the rise of the classic East Coast IPA. That makes the Hazy IPA something of a son to the East Coast IPA. Or step-son? Someone who is like a son? One of those. Anyway, these are super popular in New England, and the flavor is starting to spread nationwide…just as people on the East Coast might want a West Coast-style India pale ale. As with West Coast, we can sort of generalize East Coast styles: juicy, non-bitter = East Coast. No, it isn’t perfect. Get over it. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Short Brews Beer Blog (@shortbrews) Where Did the East Coast IPA Come From? East Coast IPAs come from the East Coast of the US, more specifically, the New England area (don’t worry, we’ll get there). I don’t know exactly what the first East Coast IPA was, but Heady Topper seems to be one of the earliest examples of an IPA that didn’t need to go full-throttle on bitter notes. Then, like a juicy avalanche, these beers swept across the region and then the country over the past few decades. What Hops Are Used in East Coast IPAs? Again, there are no rules when it comes to hop profiles and IPAs. However, because East Coast IPAs tend to have juicier flavors, they’re often brewed with hops with delicious aromatics, like Citra, Mosaic, Galaxy,

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IPA Sub-Styles: Types of India Pale Ale

Thomas Short — Wed, 18 Mar 2026 23:13:08 +0000

The India Pale Ale is one of the most popular (if not THE most popular) beer styles available today. You can find an IPA, or a type of IPA, at pretty much every single craft brewery you visit. But what started as a style meant to survive long journeys across the ocean has evolved into a catchall term for pretty much any ale with lots of hops. As a result, regions have developed distinct styles with some breweries embracing local ingredients to create sub-styles of the IPA. So, here are some IPA sub-styles and what makes them unique. Types of IPA American IPA All the IPA sub-styles here are American, but the American IPA is the best way to describe what you and I would just call an IPA. But if you were to go abroad, there’s a non-zero chance that the IPA you order doesn’t have much in common with an IPA in the United States. The American IPA is known for its strong hop flavor, 6-7% ABV, and hoppy aroma. The flavor can vary significantly based on the hops and malts used, but most IPAs can be defined either as bitter or juicy. Maybe you’re drinking an IPA while reading this and trying to decide which sub-style it fits under. Maybe none of the following sub-styles match. It’s important to point out that nobody can agree on what constitutes an IPA, so if your beer doesn’t fall under one of these umbrella terms, we’ll put it under the “American IPA” umbrella. Double IPA The Double IPA, also known as the Imperial IPA, is different from an IPA because it’s more. More strength, more hop variety, and much more alcohol. As a generalization, any IPA reaching the 7-8% ABV range could be considered a double. We can thank the crazy brewers of California for the Double IPA. No doubt these brewers were drinking classic IPAs and said to themselves, “DOUBLE IT!” Similar reasoning likely led to the development of the Triple IPA, or IIIPA. East Coast IPA One of my favorite things about craft brewing is how distinct regional beers can be. The East Coast IPA likely originated in the New England/Northeast area (hence its nickname as an NE IPA), but its popularity has spread across the country. Never heard of the East Coast IPA? Perhaps you know it by yet another nickname, the Hazy IPA. East Coast IPAs earned this nickname because of the thick, hazy look of the beer. East Coast IPAs generally prioritize hop flavor over malt flavor, giving them a juicier taste than other sub-styles of the IPA. This hop-forward, combined with skipping the filtering process (hello, Unfiltered IPA), can also give this style a hazy look. West Coast IPA The West Coast IPA is like the East Coast IPA because the style is completely regional. Aside from that fun fact, West Coast IPAs could not be more different than their East Coast brethren. West Coast IPAs place a heavier emphasis on malts and bitter hop flavors. No doubt you’ve had one of these incredibly hefty, bitter beers, perhaps even as a Double IPA or IIIPA. Yes, we can mix IPA sub-styles! And the sub-style mixing gets even more complex as we continue adding sub-styles. Dry Hopped IPA Dry Hopped IPAs have an incredibly interesting history (which I’ll write about someday, I promise). But for now, all you need to know about dry hopping is the process. Dry hopping sees hops added to the brew after boiling, as opposed to before boiling (a process traditionally followed in brewing). Originally used as a preservative, dry hopping also adds a strong hop flavor since the brewer doesn’t boil the hops first. Note that many IPAs dry hop in addition to regular hopping, and some use only dry hops. At this point, it feels like most breweries mention the dry hopping process as an afterthought. Fresh Hopped IPA Fresh Hopped IPAs might sound like Dry Hopped IPAs, but they’re nothing similar. Hops grow on vines and, like all plants, hops have a time of year that they’re best for picking. In America, this season, Fresh Hop Season, occurs between mid-August and late September. Brewers who use fresh hops to make IPAs label these beers as Fresh Hopped IPAs since they’re a seasonal style. So, keep your eyes peeled for these bad boys in the coming months! Black IPA The Black IPA is another sub-style that emphasizes malts. However, unlike other dark beers, Black IPAs don’t get their color from roasted unmalted barley. Instead, brewers use dark malts to give the Black IPA their dark color. These dark malts also provide a smooth and delicious flavor, all while keeping the hop flavors found in IPAs. Maybe it’s just me, but it doesn’t seem like many breweries make Black IPAs anymore. Is it because brewers/patrons see them as gimmicky? Are they too difficult to make, or not cost-effective? Are they too boring to make? Whatever the reason, I hope we see a resurgence in this classic style. Session IPA When you hear “IPA,” you probably think strong, bitter, juicy, and, most importantly, alcoholic. Session IPAs are…different. Most Session IPAs offer all the qualities of a classic IPA, only less: less bitterness, less juiciness, less strength, and yes, less alcohol. Most Session IPAs come in with a lower ABV, I’d say somewhere in the 5% and lower range. Sour IPA The first time I ever saw a Sour IPA, I told myself, “these breweries are flying too close to the sun.” And I was right because the beer was terrible. However, these terrible beers were an important first step in the development of a new style. Nowadays, plenty of breweries make respectable, and sometimes incredible, Sour IPAs. You already know what you’re going to get when you order a sour IPA. It’s an IPA, but it’s sour. It’s somewhere around 6% ABV. It tastes like an IPA, but it also tastes like a sour. Brut IPA I covered the Brut IPA craze

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What Are Citra Hops?

Thomas Short — Wed, 18 Mar 2026 16:51:37 +0000

It’s nearly impossible to find a craft brewery that doesn’t include Citra hops in at least one beer. Citra hops are a delicious hop variety, a large reason why it’s become such a popular hop to brew with. Like Mosaic hops, Citra hops are good for IPAs, especially those of the juicy and hazy variety. Let’s take a look at Citra, a hop that’s good for IPAs in different ways. What Are Citra Hops in Beer? Citra hops are a type of hop variety that brings a juicy, citrusy punch to beer. They’re one of the most widely used hops in craft brewing today, and there’s a good chance you’ve already tasted Citra hops without knowing it. Brewers tend to use Citra most in East Coast IPAs and hazy IPAs because of the soft, fruity quality it adds, but you can sometimes find it in West Coast IPAs and pale ales, too. One benefit of Citra is that it works well alone and with other hops. Citra can be used alone in a beer as a single-hop style, where the whole point is to let the Citra flavor shine, or it can be blended with complementary hops like Mosaic, Galaxy, and Amarillo to create something even more complex. Where Do Citra Hops Come From? Citra hops were developed in Yakima, Washington, around 2007–2008, a result of decades of hop breeding done by hop scientist Gene Probasco. Up until its public release in the late 2000’s, Citra was going by the incredibly catchy name “BHC 394.” Upon its release, brewers across the nation started including it in IPAs. As IPAs became more and more popular, so did Citra. Today, Citra is the #1 most grown hop variety in the United States, and it has been ever since it overtook Cascade hops in 2018. What Does Citra Taste Like in Beer? Citra hops have a bold, tropical flavor and aroma. Oh, and it tastes a lot like citrus, hence the name “Citra.” Think of fruits like mango, orange peel, passion fruit, grapefruit, lime, and peaches. Citra brings a lot of flavor, but the flavors you taste depend on how the brewer uses the hop. Regardless of the style or blend, expect a bright, juicy beer that’s incredibly easy to drink. Citra also has an alpha acid content of around 11-15%, meaning it does bring some bitterness as well. However, this isn’t the bitter flavor that people associate with old-school West Coast IPAs, and it provides more balance to the sweet fruity flavors than anything else. What is a Citra Beer? When you see a beer at your local brewery with a name like “Citra IPA,” “Citra Pale Ale,” or anything else Citra-themed, there’s a pretty good chance that Citra hops are the main hop, or the only hop, included. Brewers do this to show off what a single hop variety can do, and Citra is popular enough to carry a whole beer on its own. But Citra shows up in plenty of popular beers without being named in the title. Psuedo Sue by Toppling Goliath is a famous example of Citra on display, as is Three Floyds’ Zombie Dust. For my West Coasters, the Sierra Nevada Hazy Little Thing is a Citra-dominated brew. Most craft breweries include information on the hops they’ve included in their beer, so next time you’re looking at a menu, you might notice just how many IPAs take advantage of Citra. What Beer Styles Use Citra Hops? Citra is best in beers that showcase hop flavor over malt, so don’t expect to see Citra hops in a Vienna lager or Pilsner. You’ll most commonly find it in: Why are Citra Hops Popular? Why is Citra so popular? A combination of timing and flavor. Citra came along right as the craft beer boom was really taking off, and it gave brewers a juicy, fruity hop that was incredibly accessible for people just getting into drinking beer. The hop also has enough complexity to not be one-dimensional, so the resulting beer was bound to be interesting. When hazy IPAs exploded in popularity in the 2010s, it cemented Citra’s place as a go-to hop. The soft bitterness and juicy fruit character is exactly the flavor brewers were looking for in a hazy IPA. The hop is also versatile enough that it works for brewers at every scale, from your local brewer to gigantic craft breweries. Its range of flavor, consistent quality, and popularity among beer drinkers (whether they know it or not) are all reasons brewers continue to buy and use Citra hops.

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Pale Ale vs IPA: Are They the Same?

Thomas Short — Sun, 01 Mar 2026 17:51:19 +0000

It’s fair to feel confused about the difference between a pale ale and an IPA. When you look at a brewery menu, the two can seem almost indiscernible, from the types of hops used to the IBUs. I’m not just saying that alcohol needs a label (though the government says it does), but being able to tell an IPA apart from a pale ale would be nice, especially when you’re at a new brewery and you have no idea what you might like. So, let’s take a look at the differences between a pale ale and IPA, because there are a few factors that make these styles of brew unique from each other. Is a Pale Ale the Same as an IPA? No, a pale ale is not the same as an IPA. While an IPA is technically a type of pale ale, the two styles have a few clear differences, especially with how predominant the IPA has become in craft brewing. The short answer is that pales ales are a lighter, more balanced, and lower ABV style, while IPAs lean more into hops to bring out juicier or more bitter flavors. Both IPAs and pale ales can be brewed using similar hops and malts, but the final products are different. What is a Pale Ale? A pale ale is an ale that’s…pale. Despite the name, pale ales are known for their amber-ish hue, though some more modern iterations of the brew can vary in color. Pale ale is technically an umbrella term used to describe an array of ales, including: The best word to describe pale ales is “balance.” Pale ales tend to have some bitterness and hoppiness, just not as much as an IPA would. The real balance of bitter and hop depends on the types of hops the brewer uses; for example, a Citra hop pale ale will have a juicier flavor and be relatively low in bitter flavor. Also, because a pale ale leans less on hops than an IPA, you’ll get more of the malt flavor coming through. Malts tend to have a sweeter flavor, which gives most pale ales a fantastic blend of tasting notes. You can also tell a pale ale by its relatively medium ABV, usually somewhere in the 5-6% range. Pale ales tend to be bitter, but not IPA bitter, and hoppy, but not IPA hoppy. What is an IPA? The India Pale Ale, or IPA, is a dominant force in the craft brewing market. I’m not sure there’s a successful craft brewery open that doesn’t have at least two types of IPA on tap. The style is also incredibly divisive, because many people might assume that IPAs are always incredibly bitter. As a technical subtype of the pale ale, the IPA takes everything the pale ale does and dials it up. Expect more alcohol, more bitterness, more juice, more body, more of pretty much everything. There are also specific IPA substyles that wouldn’t be a pale ale, such as: IPAs lean heavily on hops when compared to other styles, including regular pale ales. Most IPAs skew away from malt flavors and embrace hop flavors, which can range from bitter and dank to juicy and sweet. Like with pale ales, the core flavor of an IPA depends on the hop mix. As with any type or style of beer, the specific difference between a pale ale and IPA comes down to whatever the brewer decides to call it. However, I would find it disingenuous to call a 7% hazy beast a pale ale, or a 5.5% citra sipper an IPA. Pale Ale vs IPA: Main Differences Ok, now that we’ve explored each style a bit, here are the main differences that a casual beer drinker can use to discern the two styles: Pale Ale IPA When to Choose Each Style If you’re struggling to choose between a pale ale and an IPA, I have a few opinions on when each works best. Pale ales are best for: IPAs are best for: Pale Ale vs IPA: Which is Better? Which wins in a fight between pale ale and IPA? Well, the IPA is certainly more popular since brewers will have 10 IPAs on the menu and maybe one pale ale. However, the IPA is a type of pale ale, giving the pale an edge. But I think that IPAs have become so unique that they shouldn’t be classified as pale ales any longer. This is the day and age of the IPA, like it or not. Personally, I like pale ales better. Thanks for reading! FAQ: Pale Ale vs IPA

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What’s the Strongest Beer in the World?

Thomas Short — Fri, 20 Feb 2026 02:17:06 +0000

Update on 2/19/2026: There‘s a new strongest beer! Before getting into this, here’s a quick question to ask yourself: what do you think the strongest beer in the world is? Better yet, what’s the strongest beer you’d be willing to sit and enjoy? Let’s start with a high ABV beer I love: barleywine. Barleywines vary, but you can expect somewhere in the 12-14% ABV range. Compared to IPAs in the 6-7% range and light beers closer to 4-5%, that’s pretty steep and hardly feels qualified to be counted as a “beer.” However, barleywine is a beloved beer style. But we’re not here to talk about beloved beer styles. No, we’re here to talk about the booziest beer ever created. Previously, the booziest beer in the world was Snake Venom by Brewmeister, which clocked in at a paltry 60% ABV. But Snake Venom’s time in the sun has passed, and we have a new strongest beer. Scottish Beithir Fire: The Strongest Beer in the World Scottish Beither Fire by 88 Brewery is a 75% ABV monster that comes with a warning label because, yes, it’s just that strong. The beer is a barley ale brewed over two months, presumably to pump up the ABV as much as possible. Oh, then it’s blended with Scottish spirit (read: Scottish everclear) to push it to a nice, rounded out 75% alcohol. You shouldn’t sit and drink an entire bottle of this; instead, you’re advised to enjoy just one shot. Because, you know, it’s got the ABV equivalent of two shots of vodka. No, you can’t reseal the bottle, but I have a suspicion that something made almost entirely of alcohol won’t go back if left open in the fridge for a few days. Heck, it says best before November 4, 2121, on the label, so it’ll probably be fine for longer. You can purchase a bottle for about $60. I’m not sure how badly I need to try a beer this strong, but if you’re so inclined, be my guest and let me know how it tastes. If it tastes like anything other than alcohol.

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What Is ABV? How ABV Is Measured

Thomas Short — Wed, 04 Feb 2026 16:39:08 +0000

It doesn’t matter who you are or what flavors you like in a beer; I know for a fact that you’re paying attention to the ABV. Everybody cares about alcohol by volume (ABV) to some extent. If you’re trying to relax after a day of work, you’re probably going to pick a 4.5% session beer over a 13% ABV barleywine. So, what exactly is ABV, and how is it measured in beer? How ABV is Measured in Beer Alcohol by volume is, by definition, measured by taking “the number of milliliters (mL) of pure ethanol present in 100 mL of solution at 20 degrees Celsius (68 Fahrenheit),” per Wikipedia. Let’s translate that into English: ABV represents the amount of ethanol (alcohol) in a set amount of liquid. It more or less tells you what percentage of the drink is alcoholic. Based on the strict definition, let’s get something clear: ABV changes even after a beer is canned or bottled. Depending on the temperature, the alcohol by volume of your beer could fluctuate. Sure, the change is so small that it’s usually negligible, but it still changes. Other than that, there isn’t anything too special about measuring ABV in beer. Your local brewer makes the beer, bottles it, slaps an ABV percentage on the label, and that’s how you know you’re drinking a 5.8% stout. But guess what? The label that tells you the ABV is probably wrong, and governing bodies around the world know it. If you didn’t want to click on that link, I’ll break down the interesting part: the US government accepts that a malt beverage (i.e., beer) can be within 0.3% off from what’s labeled. The EU is even more tolerant, letting alcohol be within 0.5% of what’s labeled. Beer is alive, and time makes it ferment. The time between when ABV is measured and when you drink it can be a while, and more fermentation can happen during that period. More specifically, the alcoholic content of your beer, wine, etc., can grow over time. Is ABV Measured Differently in Liquor, Wine, and Beer? Based on the definition, ABV is measured the same regardless of what the drink is. Different alcohol classifications are essentially for the consumer (and the government, if they choose to tax/regulate specific alcohols). Because these drinks have different measurements (beer around 6%, whiskey around 40%, and so on), standard pours generally equate to the same amount of alcohol consumed. So, the difference in alcohol consumed between a full IPA and a shot of tequila is likely minimal, depending on how fast you drink them and how strong your IPA is. Please note that this 1-to-1 ratio doesn’t take into account your 125 proof bourbon or your 3.5% light lager. It’s a general guideline, not a strict one. ABV vs Proof: What’s the Difference? Ok, so you know what ABV is. Why does liquor say proof? Why doesn’t beer say proof? What is proof? The term “proof” dates back to old-timey England, where liquor was taxed based on strength. Of course, nobody knew how to measure strength, so they would just have to determine if it was strong with “proof.” Eventually, the term “100 proof,” which amounts to a strong alcohol, was measured using a super complex gravity system that set proof at about 57% ABV. Fortunately for people living in the modern world, proof has since been simplified to equal double ABV, which is close enough the previous definition of proof. So, an 80 proof liquor would be 40% ABV. Aside from that, people say proof instead of ABV because it sounds cool. ABV vs IBU: What’s the Difference? You’re in a local brewery, and you see numbers on the board labeled ABV, IBU, and $. You know what ABV is now, and I’m pretty sure you understand the cost ($). That other term, IBUs, stands for the International Bittering Units scale. The IBU tells you how bitter a beer is. This is super useful when you’re trying something new, and you hate (or love) bitterness. As a general rule of thumb, the lower the IBU, the less bitter the beer. What’s A High ABV In Beer? Beer’s ABV can range from low (roughly 4% ABV) to really high (well above 10% ABV). The strongest beer in the world is 67.5% ABV, but nobody should ever put themselves through that torture; it can’t be worth it. Expect most beers to range from about 5-6% ABV. Lighter beers, like lagers, will probably hover around 5% ABV, while stronger beers like IPAs will tend to range from about 6-7% ABV. Granted, all brewers are different and prefer different styles, so ABVs vary depending on where you drink.

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What’s an Ale?

Thomas Short — Mon, 21 Jul 2025 15:59:41 +0000

In some places around the world, people might ask for an ale when they really want to get any type of beer. It’s sort of like when someone asks for a Coke but actually wants a Sprite (I’ve seen it happen). So, to some people, ale just means beer. But there’s more to it than that, right? After all, we have all sorts of types of ales, such as the IPA, pale ale, and blonde ale. Ales come in different forms, but can we have an ale that’s just an ale? What Exactly is an Ale? To answer the whole “what is an ale” question, we should stop and break down the main ingredient. When ales were first becoming popular hundreds of years ago, brewers were not using hops. Instead, they used all sorts of other bitter ingredients and mixed them to create a flavouring called gruit. As you can imagine, this created a very unique style of beer. At some point in human history, gruit started to fade away and was replaced by hops. Flavor-wise, hops and gruit both add that sort of bitterness to your beer, so both are perfectly fine for making an ale. Sure, you can still find some old-timey breweries that might brew with gruit, but hops are considered the norm and are one of the five main ingredients in beer. The whole hops thing shouldn’t come as a surprise – after all, IPAs are hoppy and they are ales (with a few differences). Is There Such a Thing as a Regular Ale? If we were to make an ale that’s strict to the recipe – warm fermentation, hops, or even gruit – then yes, we would have one plain old beer…that somebody would be bound to categorize. The truth is that people don’t want to sit down and order an ale. It’s too boring. Why order an ale when you can order a brown ale? One of them sounds like a mystery beer, while the other is going to be brown. No mysteries in brown flavor. Why not order an IPA instead? An ale could taste like anything, but an IPA is hoppy. See the problem here? We like to subdivide all these beer types to get as specific as possible. It’s sort of like how business people use all these fancy terms. Synergize all you want, business people, I still hate your lingo. If you’ve had an IPA, brown, pale, old ale, or even a barleywine, then you’re drinking ales. It’s a style of beer that has created a million more sub-styles, so we can get as specific as possible, all while somehow also making it incredibly difficult to become fluent in beer speak. (Pro tip: I’ve compiled a list of beer buzz words you can use next time you have a beer with friends to impress them and make them like you more.) So, next time you’re out talking about beer, and as long as you aren’t drinking a lager, just keep calling your beer an ale. You’ll sound like you know exactly what you’re doing.

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What Are Mosaic Hops?

Thomas Short — Wed, 16 Jul 2025 14:44:58 +0000

If you’re like most craft beer drinkers (myself included), then you like IPAs. How could you not? They’re the epitome of the United States, using domestically-grown hops and American creativity to turn what was a passable beer into an actually drinkable style. The Mosaic hop is a big reason why today’s IPAs are drinkable (depending on your taste). While it isn’t as widespread as something like Cascade, Citra, or Simcoe, Mosaic brings an awesome blast of flavor and aroma to beers, usually IPAs and ales. What Are Mosaic Hops? Mosaic hops are a hop variety with a complex, juicy flavor that is often used in IPAs. These hops aren’t naturally occurring – they were bred from a combination of Simcoe and Nugget hops. This makes them sort of like ligers; they aren’t normal, but damn are they cool. Like pretty much any hop variety, you’ll find Mosaic hops growing in Washington and Idaho. And what about that cool name? Well, it should make you think of other mosaic things, like windows. A complex combination of colors that creates a masterpiece. But in this masterpiece, we don’t use colors…we use flavors and aromas. What Do Mosaic Hops Taste Like? Mosaic hops are super fruity in flavor, with plenty of citrus, floral, and tropical notes. You know how IPAs can taste incredibly bitter, especially when they start reaching around 6-7% ABV? Ya, these hops aren’t going to do that to your brew (unless the brewer mixes in other hops). For aroma, Mosaic smells a lot like how it tastes; citrussy, floral, and tropical. A lot of brewers utilize Mosaic for single-hopped beers. You can easily find these on menus because they’re often called something like “Mosaic IPA” or “Mosaic Pale.” At least, I assume brewers who name their beers “Mosaic” anything are using Mosaic hops. That, or they’re just fans of the art medium. Mixing these with other hop varieties will create a mega-flavor that’s unmatched. Consider the Born Yesterday IPA from Lagunitas (if you’ve ever had it). The Born Yesterday uses a combination of Amarillo, Equinox, Simcoe, Citra, and Mosaic hops. If you’ve had that beer, you know it’s a burst of IPA flavors. Why Are Mosaic Hops Popular? A lot of people are burnt out on the West Coast style IPA. So, instead of trying to get hoppier and hoppier, brewers just decided to try a different style of hops, leading to juicier IPAs. Mosaic hops will keep an IPA at a high ABV, and because it is an IPA, you can still expect to get some bitterness in whatever beer you drink. But that juicy flavor is king of the world right now, and it’s only getting more popular. So, next time you’re at a local brewery, try picking a beer that uses Mosaic hops and see if you can pull out what that flavor is. It helps if you put it side-by-side with a non-Mosaic IPA. You’ll see what all the rage is about! Mosaic Hops vs Citra Hops: What’s the Difference? Both Mosaic and Citra hops are fantastic for IPAs, and they’re often used together. However, there are some differences to note Citra hops, as you might have guessed, have more of a citrusy flavor, something akin to a passion fruit or stone fruit. Citra hops also tend to have a higher alpha acid content, which generally means stronger flavors and bitterness. Of course, the expression of hops will vary by brewer and style, so take some of these differences with a grain of salt. Just be sure to try a Mosaic solo and Citra solo side-by-side to get a better idea of flavors and aroma.

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