IPA has a reputation as a big, boozy winter warmer, but the modern style is far more varied than that. Bright, juicy hazy IPAs and low-strength session IPAs are genuinely refreshing in the heat, which makes them a great fit for summer if you pick the right one.
Below are eight of the best IPAs for summer, each tasted and rated for the site. There is a juicy session IPA you can drink all day, soft hazy IPAs bursting with tropical fruit, and crisp West Coast styles for the pine-and-citrus fans. Every pick links to its full review and you can grab a case in a couple of taps.
For all-day drinking, lean towards the session IPA and softer hazies. For food off the grill, the bolder West Coast styles come into their own. Serve them cold and fresh, as hop character fades fast.
Best Summer IPAs at a Glance
| Beer | Style | Our rating | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Founders All Day Haze | Session IPA | 3.9/5 | Best all-day session IPA |
| Sierra Nevada Hazy Little Thing | Hazy IPA | 4.6/5 | Best juicy crowd-pleaser |
| Cigar City Jai Alai | American IPA | 4.5/5 | Best tropical, sunny IPA |
| Dogfish Head 60 Minute IPA | American IPA | 4.5/5 | Best smooth, balanced IPA |
| Lagunitas IPA | American IPA | 4.3/5 | Best widely available pick |
| Elysian Space Dust | IPA | 4.1/5 | Best bright and citrusy |
| Ballast Point Sculpin | American IPA | 4.6/5 | Best expressive West Coast IPA |
| Stone IPA | West Coast IPA | 4.4/5 | Best for hop lovers |
IPA and summer can absolutely work, as long as you lean towards the brighter, juicier and lower-strength end. A session IPA or a soft hazy is refreshing in the heat, while a crisp West Coast style suits food off the grill. Match the strength to the day.
Founders All Day Haze
A juicy, hazy session IPA built for exactly this: all-day drinking in the sun. Low enough in strength to keep going, with all the tropical hop flavour of a full IPA. A near-perfect summer beer. Read the full Founders All Day Haze review.
- Big hop flavour at low strength
- Made for all-day sessions
- Juicy and refreshing
- Still hoppier than a lager
Sierra Nevada Hazy Little Thing
A soft, juicy hazy IPA packed with tropical and stone-fruit hops and a smooth, low-bitterness finish. Widely available and reliably excellent, it is a crowd-pleasing IPA for a summer cookout. Read the full Sierra Nevada Hazy Little Thing review.
- Soft, juicy tropical hops
- Low bitterness, easy to love
- Widely available
- Full-strength IPA
Cigar City Jai Alai
A Florida IPA bursting with orange, tropical fruit and a smooth malt backbone. Juicy, sunny and full-flavoured, it is a warm-climate IPA that lives up to its beach-state roots. Read the full Cigar City Jai Alai review.
- Juicy tropical and orange hops
- Smooth for its strength
- A Florida favourite
- Fairly strong at 7.5 percent
Dogfish Head 60 Minute IPA
A continually-hopped IPA that is bright and citrusy yet remarkably smooth and balanced. One of the most drinkable IPAs going, it suits a summer evening and food off the grill. Read the full Dogfish Head 60 Minute IPA review.
- Bright yet smooth and balanced
- Very drinkable IPA
- A modern classic
- Full-strength
Lagunitas IPA
A hugely popular, balanced American IPA with citrus and pine hops over a malt backbone that keeps it drinkable. A reliable, widely available crowd IPA for a warm day. Read the full Lagunitas IPA review.
- Balanced, citrusy hops
- Very widely available
- Drinkable for an IPA
- Still a full-strength IPA
Elysian Space Dust
A bright, juicy West-Coast-leaning IPA with tropical and citrus hops and a crisp finish. Punchy but clean, it is a lively choice for hop fans on a warm afternoon. Read the full Elysian Space Dust review.
- Bright tropical hops
- Crisp, clean finish
- Popular and easy to find
- Full-strength, not a session beer
Ballast Point Sculpin
A celebrated San Diego IPA with vivid apricot, peach and citrus hop flavour and a crisp, dry finish. Bright and expressive, it is a standout IPA for a summer gathering. Read the full Ballast Point Sculpin review.
- Vivid apricot and citrus hops
- Crisp, dry finish
- Award-winning IPA
- Strong and pricey
Stone IPA
A classic, resinous West Coast IPA with pine and citrus and a firm bitter backbone. Bold and refreshing in its own way, it is the pick for hop lovers at a barbecue. Read the full Stone IPA review.
- Bold pine-and-citrus hops
- A West Coast benchmark
- Stands up to bold food
- Assertively bitter
- Not a casual crowd beer
The Gear That Shows Off an IPA
Beer sorted, now serve it right. These three keep an IPA cold and show off its hop aroma.
Summer IPA FAQ
What is the best IPA for summer?
Brighter, lower-strength IPAs suit summer best. Founders All Day Haze is a superb all-day session IPA, Sierra Nevada Hazy Little Thing is a juicy, easy crowd-pleaser, and Cigar City Jai Alai brings sunny tropical flavour. Save the biggest, boldest IPAs for cooler days.
What is a session IPA?
A session IPA is a low-alcohol IPA, usually under about 4.5 percent, that keeps the hop flavour of a full IPA but is light enough to drink several of. Founders All Day Haze is a classic example and one of the best beers going for a hot, all-day session.
What is the difference between a hazy and a West Coast IPA?
A hazy or New England IPA is cloudy, soft and juicy with low bitterness and lots of tropical fruit. A West Coast IPA is clearer, crisper and more bitter, with pine and citrus hops. Hazies tend to drink easier in summer, while West Coast styles suit bold food.
Are IPAs too strong for summer?
Some are, but many are not. Session IPAs and softer hazies are light and refreshing enough for warm weather, and even standard IPAs are fine served cold with food. Just check the strength and lean towards the lower end for all-day drinking in the heat.
