Homewrecker IPA Review: Bentonville Brewing Co.’s Citra-Forward American IPA

Homewrecker IPA from Bentonville Brewing Co. is not trying to disappear into a soft, low-bitterness haze. This is a full-strength American IPA with 7.5% ABV, a published 80 IBU, a bright Citra-led aroma and a honey-malt thread through the finish. The result, in my view, is a beer for drinkers who want the hops to be obvious and do not mind a little sweetness balancing the sharper edge.

I rate it 3.79 out of 5. That score reflects a straightforward, flavorful IPA with a recognizable identity, but one that leans more toward sweet-and-bitter balance than modern juicy softness. The brewery calls out Citra and honey malt in its product description. That concise recipe clue explains a lot about the expected profile without pretending we have a full grain bill or hop schedule in front of us.

At a Glance

What is Homewrecker IPA like?

Homewrecker is an American IPA with the volume turned up: 7.5% alcohol, 80 IBU and a flavor description centered on Citra hops. It sits in familiar territory for people who enjoy a traditional hop-forward American IPA, rather than a New England-style beer designed around a cloudy pour and a pillowy mouthfeel. The tasting notes reported around the beer point to citrus and grapefruit, pine and herbal notes, plus a rounder malt impression than a lean, crisp West Coast IPA.

Citra is the clearest aromatic cue. The variety is widely associated with citrus and tropical-fruit impressions, though what you get in a finished beer depends on the timing and form of the hop additions. Bentonville Brewing does not publish a full hop schedule for Homewrecker, so I would not claim that the beer is dry-hopped or name additional varieties. The useful thing to know is that the brewery specifically calls out Citra as the hop driving the aroma.

ABV, IBU, hops, malt and calories

ABV: Homewrecker is listed at 7.5% ABV by the brewery-related beer listings and enthusiast databases. That is firmly stronger than a typical session IPA, and it will feel more substantial than a 5% pint. For comparison, my explanation of beer gravity and ABV walks through how the alcohol figure relates to original and final gravity.

IBU: 80 IBU is repeatedly published by secondary listings, including beer directories. I did not find an official current brewery spec sheet confirming the number, so treat it as a published listing rather than a verified live lab value. IBU is also a measure of calculated bitterness in the beer, not a promise that every drinker will perceive the beer as equally bitter. Malt sweetness, alcohol, carbonation and hop character change the impression. For a fuller breakdown, see what IBU means in beer.

Hops and malt: Citra is the only hop named in the available beer description. Honey malt is the grain ingredient specifically mentioned, described as giving the beer a smooth, sweet finish. No complete malt bill or detailed recipe is published in the sources I could verify. Honey malt does not mean honey was added to the beer; it is a malted grain that contributes a honey-like impression.

Calories: Bentonville Brewing does not publish an official calorie count for Homewrecker that I could find. Some third-party nutrition pages show conflicting numbers, and those should not be presented as a brewery-confirmed fact. The 7.5% ABV means this is not a light beer, but I will leave the calorie line unnumbered rather than pass along an uncertain estimate.

Tasting notes: citrus, bitterness and honey malt

In the glass, Homewrecker is described as clear honey-gold, a visual match for its classic American IPA positioning. A dense haze is not the point here. I would expect a steady cap of off-white foam and a beer that looks bright in the glass. A good pour and a clean IPA glass should show off the color and give the aroma enough room to open.

The aroma leads with Citra citrus: think fresh orange peel, grapefruit and a little tropical lift, with the more resinous or herbal side of American hops close behind. The brewery calls the aroma punchy, and other public descriptions of this beer evoke pine, fresh herbs and grapefruit rind. That combination suggests something more classic and assertive than a fruit-juice-like hazy IPA.

The first sip should put hop flavor up front. Bright citrus meets an earthy, lightly piney bitterness that lingers rather than vanishing immediately. The malt keeps that sharpness from feeling completely stripped down. Honey malt adds a rounded, lightly sweet impression through the middle and into the finish, but it should not be confused with sugary or honey-flavored beer. The balance is the interesting part: enough malt warmth to cushion a fairly firm bitter finish, yet still unmistakably an IPA.

I would serve it cool, not ice-cold, to let the aroma come through. A standard pint works, while a tulip or IPA glass concentrates the Citra character. Those who are newer to strong IPAs might prefer a smaller pour first: 7.5% ABV and a lingering bitter finish make this more of a slow pint than an easy-drinking light ale. If you want to understand how dry hopping changes aroma, our guide to what dry hopping does is a useful companion read.

Bentonville Brewing Co. and its Arkansas roots

Bentonville Brewing Co. was founded in 2015 and built its identity around its home region in Northwest Arkansas. The brewery had to shift operations to nearby Rogers in 2017 after losing its original lease, according to local reporting. It later returned to Bentonville, opening its present large-scale brewery and taproom at 901 SW 14th Street in 2020. The company describes its purpose as making beer and building community around a shared interest in craft beer across Bentonville and the surrounding area.

That local footprint matters to a beer like Homewrecker. It is presented as one of the brewery’s signature IPAs, not as a one-off experimental release that needs a long ingredient list to explain it. The brewery’s beer menu and beer finder are the best places to confirm current availability before visiting, because tap lists rotate. The official brewery website also lists its current address and visitor information.

For travelers mapping out a beer stop, Bentonville has a wider brewing scene than a single flagship. My Bentonville brewery guide is a natural next step for planning around local taprooms. If your route swings farther east, the Austin brewery guide and Nashville brewery guide show how different American cities shape their local beer identities.

Food pairings for Homewrecker IPA

The Citra citrus and substantial bitterness make Homewrecker a good match for rich, smoky or spicy foods. I would start with grilled burgers, smoked brisket or barbecue ribs: the hop bitterness cuts through fat, while the malt body stands up to char and sauce. Try it with peppery pulled pork, too, especially if the sandwich has a tangy slaw. For more ideas, explore the site’s guides to beer and barbecue pairing, beers for tacos and beer with pulled pork.

Spicy food can work, but the alcohol and bitter hop finish may amplify heat instead of cooling it. I like pairing a punchy IPA with grilled chicken, hot wings or a spicy sausage when there is enough fat or sweetness in the dish to soften the edge. A sharp cheddar or pepper jack can also meet the hop bitterness without disappearing. I would avoid pairing it with delicate white fish or a subtle salad, where the beer can overwhelm the plate.

How Homewrecker compares with other IPAs

Homewrecker belongs with fuller, more forceful American IPAs. It has more sweetness and alcohol warmth in the frame than a crisp pale ale, and its 80 IBU listing points toward a longer bitter finish than many modern hazy IPAs. If you enjoy clear, bright, hop-forward beers, the Citra note will feel familiar. If your reference point is soft, low-bitterness New England IPA, Homewrecker may feel sharper and more malt-forward.

For a landmark West Coast comparison, see my Stone IPA review. Stone is a familiar benchmark for assertive American hop character. Lagunitas IPA offers a widely available comparison point with a more rounded approach, while Sierra Nevada Torpedo Extra IPA is another strong option for drinkers who like a substantial malt-and-hop structure.

The comparison that most closely follows Homewrecker’s Citra cue is Revolution Brewing’s Citra-Hero and other Hero IPAs. For a more measured bitterness and citrus profile, Dogfish Head 60 Minute IPA makes a useful side-by-side. Want to explore the broader family? Browse what makes a hazy IPA different or the full IPA brands and reviews collection.

Five similar IPAs to try

I could not verify a Saucey listing for Homewrecker itself, so here are five real alternatives with working, pre-existing Saucey affiliate links. Each is a genuine IPA pick, not a placeholder recommendation. Availability varies by delivery area.

These alternatives are not exact recipe substitutes. Stone, Torpedo and Dogfish Head are strong choices if you want more recognizable bitter-hop structure; Lagunitas gives a rounded, classic IPA profile; Citra-Hero is the closest direction if you want to stay focused on Citra-led citrus. For a lighter but still hop-forward change of pace, see Voodoo Ranger IPA in the site IPA review archive.

My verdict on Homewrecker IPA

Homewrecker makes a clear promise: a bold American IPA, aromatic with Citra, balanced by honey malt and carrying a firm bitter finish. It is not the beer I would choose when the goal is soft, juicy haze or low alcohol. I would reach for it when I want citrus and hop presence in a fuller beer, especially with rich barbecue or a burger off the grill.

The biggest caveat is that the brewery has not made every technical detail easy to verify publicly. The 7.5% ABV and the Citra and honey-malt cues are consistently reported, while 80 IBU is a third-party listing rather than an official product page spec in the sources checked. The calorie figure is not confirmed. With those limits stated, the published profile is compelling enough to understand the appeal: a traditional, punchy IPA with a sweeter malt counterweight rather than a one-note bitterness bomb.

FAQs

How strong is Homewrecker IPA?

Homewrecker IPA is listed at 7.5% ABV, making it a full-strength American IPA rather than a session beer.

How bitter is Homewrecker IPA?

Third-party beer listings report 80 IBU. I could not confirm that figure on a current official brewery spec sheet, so treat it as a published directory value.

What hops are in Homewrecker IPA?

Citra is the hop named in the beer description. A complete hop bill or addition schedule is not publicly listed in the sources checked.

Does Homewrecker IPA contain honey?

The description mentions honey malt, not honey as an added ingredient. Honey malt is a grain that can add a rounded, lightly sweet impression.

How many calories are in Homewrecker IPA?

Bentonville Brewing does not provide a verified calorie count that I could find. Some third-party pages show estimates, but those are not official.

Where can I get Homewrecker IPA?

The brewery is based in Bentonville, Arkansas. Check Bentonville Brewing’s official beer menu and beer finder for current tap and package availability; listings can change over time.