Deep Ellum Brewing Company named its flagship IPA after the Dallas neighborhood it calls home, and the brewery leaned into that hometown pride with the recipe: a big, hop-forward American IPA loaded with citrus, pine and floral character. It has been a year-round staple since the brewery’s early days and remains one of its best-known beers, with over a thousand ratings logged on BeerAdvocate.
Deep Ellum IPA at a glance
| Style | American IPA |
| ABV | 7% |
| Calories | ~220 per 12 fl oz |
| Brewery | Deep Ellum Brewing Company, Dallas, Texas (part of the CANarchy family, cans run through Oskar Blues’ Longmont, CO plant) |
| BeerAdvocate score | 89 (Very Good), average user rating 4.0/5 from 1,037 ratings and 157 written reviews |
| Availability | Year-round core beer, distributed mainly across Texas and Oklahoma |
How it tastes, by the numbers
Deep Ellum IPA comes in at 7% ABV and roughly 220 calories per 12oz can, putting it toward the stronger end of the American IPA category. On BeerAdvocate it holds a score of 89 (“Very Good”), with an average user rating of exactly 4.0 out of 5 across more than a thousand ratings and 157 written reviews, a consistency rare for a beer with this much sample size.
The full review
Reviewers across the board describe a copper-to-amber pour with a white or khaki foam head that holds up well and leaves decent lacing on the glass. It looks the part of a classic American IPA rather than the hazy, juice-colored styles that dominate craft shelves now.
On the nose and in the mouth, the story is citrus and pine: orange, grapefruit and lime show up again and again in reviews, backed by resiny pine and the occasional floral or tropical fruit note. What sets it apart from a straight hop bomb is a caramel malt backbone that rounds the bitterness out, giving it a medium-to-full body and an oily mouthfeel that several reviewers specifically call out as smooth rather than sharp.
It finishes dry and bitter without lingering too long, which is a big part of why so many reviewers use the word “balanced.” This is not a beer chasing the newest hazy IPA trend; it is a straightforward, West Coast-leaning IPA that trades a bit of aggression for drinkability, and the 4.0 average rating reflects a beer that rarely disappoints without ever being called exceptional either.
Approachable, woody, mild hop bitterness and earthy malt. Maybe the most popular IPA brewed in Dallas.
- Big citrus and pine hop character without tipping into a harsh, one-note hop bomb
- A caramel malt backbone keeps it balanced, so it reads as an easy-drinking IPA rather than a palate-wrecker
- Consistent, well-reviewed year-round release: 1,037+ ratings and a solid 89 score on BeerAdvocate
- 7% ABV is strong enough to feel like a proper IPA but not so high it turns into a sipper
- Distribution is mostly limited to Texas and Oklahoma, so it can be hard to find outside the region
- A minority of reviewers find the flavor a little flat or unexciting for the style
- Not a hazy or juicy-style IPA, so drinkers chasing that trend may find it old-school by comparison
- The malt sweetness that makes it balanced also means hardcore hopheads may want more bitterness
Who it is for
Deep Ellum IPA is for drinkers who want a reliable, citrus-and-pine American IPA with just enough malt sweetness to keep it easy to drink through a full can. It suits people who like their IPAs balanced over aggressive, and it is a safe pick anywhere in Texas or Oklahoma where it is on tap or on shelf. It is not for drinkers chasing a hazy, juice-bomb IPA, or for hopheads who want maximum bitterness with no malt cushion.
Deep Ellum IPA FAQs
What kind of beer is Deep Ellum IPA?
Deep Ellum IPA is a year-round American IPA from Deep Ellum Brewing Company in Dallas, Texas, brewed at 7% ABV with a citrus, pine and floral hop profile balanced by a caramel malt base.
What is the ABV of Deep Ellum IPA?
Deep Ellum IPA is 7% ABV, on the stronger end for the American IPA style but not unusually high.
How is Deep Ellum IPA rated?
It holds a score of 89 (“Very Good”) on BeerAdvocate, with an average user rating of 4.0 out of 5 from over 1,000 ratings and 157 written reviews, making it one of the more consistently well-reviewed beers in Deep Ellum Brewing’s lineup.
Where can I buy Deep Ellum IPA?
Deep Ellum IPA is distributed mainly across Texas and Oklahoma, where it is a core, year-round offering on tap and in six-pack cans. Availability drops off quickly outside that footprint, so check a beer finder or local retailer if you are elsewhere.
Where to buy Deep Ellum IPA
Deep Ellum IPA is one of Deep Ellum Brewing’s core, year-round beers, so it is widely available on tap and in six-pack cans across its home distribution territory of Texas and Oklahoma. Outside that region, it shows up occasionally through the brewery’s connection to the CANarchy family (which also includes Oskar Blues), but it is not a beer to count on finding nationwide. Check the brewery’s own beer finder or a retailer locator before making a special trip.
The verdict
Deep Ellum IPA earns its reputation as a dependable, well-balanced American IPA rather than a showy one. The citrus-and-pine hop character is real and satisfying, the caramel malt keeps it from turning harsh, and the 4.0 average rating across more than a thousand BeerAdvocate ratings backs up what reviewers keep saying: this is a beer that rarely misses. It will not convert anyone chasing the newest hazy trend, but as a year-round, always-there IPA for Texas and Oklahoma drinkers, it is an easy recommendation.
FAQs
Who makes Deep Ellum IPA?
Deep Ellum IPA is brewed by Deep Ellum Brewing Company (part of CANarchy Craft Brewery Collective, which is owned by Monster Beverage Company).
What kind of beer is Deep Ellum IPA?
Deep Ellum IPA is an American IPA, at 7% ABV.
How much alcohol is in Deep Ellum IPA?
Deep Ellum IPA has an ABV of 7%.
How many calories are in Deep Ellum IPA?
Deep Ellum IPA has ~220 per 12 fl oz, based on the brewery’s published nutrition information.
Is Deep Ellum IPA gluten free?
No. Like most traditional beers, Deep Ellum IPA is brewed from barley and/or wheat, both of which contain gluten.
How can I make Deep Ellum IPA taste better?
Serve it at the right temperature and in the right glass (see below), or use it as the base for a beer cocktail. Our beer cocktails guide has recipes worth trying.
Where is Deep Ellum IPA made?
Deep Ellum IPA is brewed by Deep Ellum Brewing Company in Dallas, Texas (part of the CANarchy family, cans run through Oskar Blues’ Longmont, CO plant).
What is a good alternative to Deep Ellum IPA?
If you can’t find Deep Ellum IPA, Cigar City Jai Alai is a close alternative in the same American IPA category.
How do I open Deep Ellum IPA without a bottle opener?
A lighter, a sturdy key, a spoon, or the edge of a table all work in a pinch. See our full guide on opening a beer without a bottle opener for 8 methods that actually work.
What glass should I use for Deep Ellum IPA?
A standard pint or tulip glass works well for an American IPA like Deep Ellum IPA. See our beer glassware guide for style-by-style recommendations.
