XXX OJ Review: Slice Beer Company’s 10% Triple Hazy IPA

XXX OJ is Slice Beer Company taking its Original Juice idea all the way into triple-IPA territory. This 10% ABV hazy is built around Citra, Mosaic, Galaxy and Simcoe, with a fruit profile that reads like peach nectar, apricot sorbet, mandarin rind and candied pineapple. I like the ambition: this is not simply a stronger everyday hazy, but an oversized, aromatic beer that still aims for softness and drinkability.

At a Glance

My verdict on XXX OJ

My read on XXX OJ is that it is made for hop fans who want the hazy, fruit-forward side of IPA turned up several notches, and who are comfortable with a substantial alcohol presence. Peach and citrus aromatics lead, while the named hop quartet suggests ripe tropical fruit, orange-like citrus and a firmer green or resinous edge underneath. The triple strength gives the sip a broader, warmer frame than a normal hazy. It is an intense beer, but its fruit-driven balance is the point, not a challenge to see how bitter or hot a beer can become.

The rating supplied for this review is 4.46 out of 5. That is an excellent score, fitting the idea of a beer that combines strong aroma, generous fruit character and enough body to carry a 10% recipe. I would approach it as a slow, focused pour rather than a casual fridge-door IPA. A small serving in a tulip glass makes more sense than a tall pint, especially if you want the aroma to stay concentrated and the warmth in check.

XXX OJ ABV, IBU and ingredients

The verified headline facts are unusually clear: XXX OJ is listed in the Triple New England / Hazy category, it sits at 10% ABV, and its hop bill is Citra, Mosaic, Galaxy and Simcoe. That explains its basic shape without guessing at a full recipe. The hops offer a broad fruit palette, while the triple-IPA format means more alcohol and malt support than an everyday single IPA.

IBU is shown as unavailable rather than given a number. That distinction matters. Hazy beers can taste less bitter than measured bitterness might suggest because sweetness, body, hop oils and perception all affect the experience. Without a published figure, I would not reverse-engineer one from the fruit description or invent a plausible-sounding value. My guide to what IBU means in beer explains what the number does and does not tell you.

The brewery also does not publish a complete malt bill or nutrition panel for this release in the material I could verify. No official calorie figure was available, so there is no calorie number in the table. At 10% ABV, alcohol alone contributes substantially more energy than a standard-strength beer, but the finished calorie total depends on residual extract and other recipe details. An exact figure without the label from the brewery or calculation would be false precision.

What the four-hop bill suggests

XXX OJ names four varieties: Citra, Mosaic, Galaxy and Simcoe. Citra is associated with bright citrus and tropical fruit; Mosaic can bring a complex mix of berry, mango and citrus; Galaxy is known for ripe passionfruit and peach-like notes; and Simcoe can add citrus and tropical fruit alongside a more piney, resinous edge. These are broad tendencies, not a flavor guarantee. Crop, harvest, brewing choices and freshness all shift what any hop tastes like in the finished beer.

Together, they provide a sensible route to the advertised fruit character. Peach and apricot sit comfortably beside mandarin and pineapple, while Simcoe can keep the palate from becoming one long sweet fruit note. I would expect the aroma to be the first attraction, with a hazy body and hop oils helping it feel plush rather than crisp or sharply bitter. That is the distinction between this beer and a lean West Coast triple IPA: XXX OJ aims for saturated juice and softness, not a dry, clear finish.

There is no published malt list to confirm which grains create the body. In a homebrew recipe, a brewer might use pale malt with wheat or oats to support haze and texture, but that is general style knowledge, not a claim about the exact formulation for XXX OJ. A triple IPA also needs enough fermentable sugar to reach its strength, and careful fermentation is important if the finished beer is to avoid tasting hot or rough. The honest description is that the malt bill is not publicly specified, while its style, ABV and hop varieties are.

Tasting notes: fruit first, strength close behind

In the glass, XXX OJ appears a saturated hazy gold to orange, with the opaque look expected from a New England-style IPA. The aroma points toward ripe orchard and tropical fruit: peach nectar, apricot sorbet, mandarin peel and pineapple are all in public descriptions for XXX OJ. Those notes are coherent with its four-hop bill rather than an arbitrary fruit list. The impression is vivid and sweet-fruited, with enough citrus rind and hop character to keep the nose from reading like juice alone.

The first impression on the palate is likely to be a rounded fruit wave rather than sharp bitterness. A thick haze, high strength and generous hop aroma can make a beer feel soft and full. Then the alcohol becomes more noticeable as the sip opens up and warms. At 10%, it is worth giving the glass a moment between tastes: the strength is not a background statistic, even when a fruity profile makes it seem approachable. I would look for a warming finish with lingering hop flavor, rather than the clean, quick snap of a pale lager or a session IPA.

That contrast is the central appeal and the main caution. XXX OJ is described as a triple hazy IPA, so it should not be treated like an ordinary low-strength fruit-forward beer. Hop aromas may soften the apparent bite, but they do not remove the alcohol. A smaller pour lets the aroma develop without asking the palate to carry a full pint of strong, rich beer. I would serve it cool, but not ice-cold; a little time out of the fridge helps fruit aromas come forward.

If you are new to the style, my primer on what makes a hazy IPA different covers the soft texture and aromatic focus. My broader guide to different IPA styles helps place XXX OJ alongside a crisp West Coast IPA or a low-ABV session ale.

Food pairings for a 10% hazy triple IPA

XXX OJ needs food with enough flavor to meet it halfway. A delicate salad or mild white fish could disappear beside its alcohol warmth and concentrated hop character. I would start with grilled or smoked food, rich cheese, or a dish with a touch of sweetness and spice. The key is not to pile on heat: a very hot chili dish can make alcohol feel sharper, so a flavorful, moderate-spice plate is often better.

Barbecue, burgers and grilled meat

Smoky ribs, pulled pork, grilled sausages and a well-seasoned burger all make natural choices. Fruit character can sit alongside barbecue sauce, while its strength and body give it presence against fat and char. I would choose a sauce that is savory or gently sweet rather than aggressively sugary; a sticky glaze can make both the beer and the food feel heavy. For more ideas, see my guide to pairing beer with barbecue.

Cheese, tacos and spicy food

A sharp cheddar, aged gouda or blue cheese can make an interesting counterpoint to the juicy hop profile. Rich, salty cheese can also help the 10% strength feel less dominating. Tacos with grilled pork, charred vegetables or citrusy slaw are another good direction: savory seasoning gives mandarin and peach notes something to play off. My beer and cheese pairing guide has more combinations.

I would keep portions modest. Pairing an intense triple IPA with a full, heavy meal can be enjoyable, but the beer is strong enough that it works equally well as a smaller after-dinner pour. It is a beer to sip, not a session drink to keep refilling while the grill is on.

How XXX OJ compares with other hazy IPAs

XXX OJ is extreme even within a category known for bold aroma. These reviews offer useful reference points:

• Sierra Nevada Hazy Little Thing is an accessible everyday hazy IPA: widely distributed, citrus-forward and much lower in ABV. It gives a familiar reference for haze and hop aroma without the intensity of XXX OJ.
• Ghost in the Machine is another big, highly regarded hazy imperial IPA. It shares the lush, high-impact approach, though XXX OJ pushes into triple-IPA strength.
• Voodoo Ranger Juice Force is a widely available imperial hazy and a practical comparison for drinkers seeking juicy character at high strength. the 10% ABV of XXX OJ makes it an imposing pour.
• Alien Church is a softer, lower-strength hazy IPA from Tired Hands. It can suit someone who wants rounded hop aroma without the substantial warmth of a triple IPA.

The contrasts matter because the word hazy alone does not tell you how heavy or strong a beer will be. the triple classification of XXX OJ and 10% ABV make it a specialist pour. The selection here of double and imperial IPAs explores the stronger end of the category, while a single IPA remains an easier starting place.

About Slice Beer Company

Slice Beer Company is based at 665 6th Street in Lincoln, California, northeast of Sacramento. The brewery opened in November 2019, founded by Zack Frasher and Russ Yeager. Frasher had built a following as a brewer at Moonraker Brewing in nearby Auburn, and his arrival gave Slice a clear identity: fresh, frequently rotated beer with a strong emphasis on West Coast and hazy IPAs.

Yeager brought experience in the local food and hospitality business, including Old Town Pizza, which operates alongside the brewery in Lincoln. That pairing gives Slice a natural setting for beer and food combinations like the ones that work with a strong hazy IPA. The company describes itself as a small brewery and taproom built around fresh, rotating beers, and its location and hours make the taproom the clearest place to check for a current release.

Slice has changed hands in the brewhouse over time. The current team page for the brewery identifies George Wisniewski as head brewer. He joined Slice in 2020 as assistant brewer after studying brewing at UC Davis and working at Barrier Brewing in Long Island. That background helps explain how the brewery maintains its hop-driven identity while rotating new recipes. XXX OJ fits naturally: it takes the Original Juice idea and amplifies it into a special high-strength release rather than a mass-market core beer.

For current release information, taproom status and the official lineup, consult official channels from Slice Beer Company. Small-brewery availability changes, so an old rating page or beer listing is not proof that a can is in stock today.

Where to find XXX OJ

XXX OJ appears to be a limited or rotating Slice release rather than a broadly distributed year-round beer. BeerMenus lists it under Slice Beer Company in Lincoln, California, but a listing is not a guarantee of current inventory. For a release this specialized, the taproom from the brewery and current official updates are the most reliable way to learn whether it is pouring or available to take home. I would check with Slice before making a trip specifically for it.

This is not a beer I would expect to find on a national delivery service. If XXX OJ itself is not available to you, the Saucey options below are five alternatives linked through existing product links. They do not duplicate the exact recipe of XXX OJ or 10% ABV, but each gives you a hazy, juicy or hop-forward route in a different strength range.

Five similar beers to try instead

Who should try XXX OJ?

I would point XXX OJ toward drinkers who already enjoy hazy double IPAs and want to explore a bigger, more aromatic triple version. The combination of tropical and citrus varieties sounds appealing to anyone who values aroma and soft fruit impressions over a crisp, dry finish. Fans of the high-intensity modern IPA movement will understand its appeal quickly.

It is less suited to someone seeking a casual, low-alcohol beer, a sharply bitter West Coast IPA, or a restrained malt-forward pint. The 10% ABV is the deciding factor. Treat it like a strong beer, pour a smaller serving, and plan to enjoy it slowly with food or in a relaxed tasting setting. That lets the fruit and hop character show up without asking the alcohol to disappear.

FAQs

What is the ABV of XXX OJ?

XXX OJ is listed at 10% ABV. That makes it a strong triple hazy IPA, best enjoyed in a smaller pour.

What hops are in XXX OJ?

The published hop list names Citra, Mosaic, Galaxy and Simcoe. A complete malt bill has not been published in the sources checked.

How many IBUs does XXX OJ have?

No IBU figure is published in the verified listing. I do not assign it a guessed number.

How many calories are in XXX OJ?

No official calorie figure was located. At 10% ABV it will contribute more alcohol-derived calories than a standard-strength beer, but an exact total would require nutrition data from the brewery.

Where can I buy XXX OJ?

XXX OJ is a rotating Slice Beer Company release associated with its Lincoln, California brewery. Check the brewery for current availability before traveling. If it is not available, the five Saucey-linked alternatives above offer similar hazy or hop-forward options.

Is XXX OJ the same beer as Original Juice?

No. XXX OJ is the triple-strength take on the Original Juice idea from Slice Beer Company. It is a distinct beer, listed as a Triple New England / Hazy IPA at 10% ABV.

References

• Slice Beer Company, About and team information: official brewery about page.
• Slice Beer Company, brewery location and current taproom focus: official brewery home page.
• BeerMenus, XXX OJ description, style, ABV and location: XXX OJ listing.
• Community beer profile, rating, rating count, style, ABV, hop and tasting-description data: XXX OJ beer profile.
• Comstocks Magazine, reporting on the brewery opened in 2019 and founders: A Slice of Excitement.