Alaskan Hopothermia 6Pk

Alaskan Hopothermia 6-Pack is a bold Double IPA from Alaskan Brewing Company, clocking in at 8.5% ABV and 70 IBU in a six-pack format. This triple dry-hopped DIPA earned a Silver medal at the 2015 Melbourne Royal Show in the Imperial/Double IPA category, and Draft Magazine named it among three imperial IPAs that rival the legendary Pliny the Elder.

Quick Facts: ABV: 8.5%  |  IBU: 70  |  Origin: Juneau, Alaska, USA  |  Style: Double IPA  |  Brewery: Alaskan Brewing Company

Production & Heritage

Alaskan Brewing Company, founded in 1986 in Juneau, Alaska, built its reputation on resourceful brewing in one of North America's most remote craft beer outposts. Hopothermia's hop bill begins with Nugget and Apollo varieties, which lay down a green, floral, and citrus foundation. The beer is then dry hopped with three additional varieties — Amarillo, Citra, and Centennial — delivering layered notes of spicy grapefruit and orange that distinguish it from single dry-hop DIPAs. This multi-stage hopping approach gives the beer its intense aromatic complexity while maintaining a balanced malt backbone.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Fresh, intense hops dominate the nose with tropical pineapple and berry esters from fermentation. Underneath, a resinous pine character emerges alongside floral and grassy notes from the base hop varieties.

Taste: The entry is a wave of citrus — grapefruit and tangerine hit first, followed by a solid grainy malt presence at mid-palate that includes just a touch of caramel sweetness. Pine needle and firm mango flavors build through the peak, with the hop bitterness remaining assertive but never harsh against the malt structure.

Finish: Surprisingly smooth for a beer at this strength, with grapefruit rind and pine lingering steadily. The 70 IBU bitterness resolves cleanly, leaving behind a dry, resinous impression that invites the next sip.

How to Drink Hopothermia

Pour into a tulip glass or IPA glass at around 45–50°F to let the aromatic complexity fully open up; this beer rewards a slightly warmer serve than a standard pale ale. Pair it in a Beer Float with citrus sorbet for a dessert that plays off the tropical hop character. Use it as a bold companion in a Michelada variation where the grapefruit and pine notes amplify the classic lime and hot sauce profile. It also works in a Hop Shandy blended with fresh grapefruit juice, which echoes and extends the citrus already present in the beer.

Best For

• Hop-forward beer enthusiasts exploring top-tier Double IPAs
• Backyard cookouts where bold flavors stand up to grilled meats
• Gifting to a craft beer collector who appreciates Alaska's brewing scene
• Side-by-side tastings comparing West Coast-style imperial IPAs

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Hopothermia taste like? Hopothermia delivers a bold citrus-forward Double IPA profile dominated by grapefruit, tangerine, and pine, with a supporting malt backbone that adds a light caramel sweetness. Tropical fruit esters — pineapple and berry — round out the flavor alongside firm mango and resinous hop bitterness.

How does Hopothermia compare to Pliny the Elder? Draft Magazine listed Hopothermia alongside Pliny the Elder as a comparable imperial IPA, noting both beers deliver intense hop complexity in a drinkable format. Hopothermia leans slightly more tropical and resinous from its Citra and Amarillo dry hopping, while Pliny is often described as more balanced between malt and hop bitterness.

Is Hopothermia good for sipping on its own? Yes — despite its 8.5% ABV and 70 IBU, Hopothermia drinks remarkably smooth and is well-suited to sipping from a proper glass at a relaxed pace. The malt backbone keeps the bitterness in check, preventing palate fatigue.

Where is Hopothermia made? Hopothermia is brewed by Alaskan Brewing Company in Juneau, Alaska, one of the oldest and most recognized craft breweries in the state. The brewery has operated since 1986 and is known for producing beers inspired by Alaska's frontier character.

What foods pair well with Hopothermia? Spicy Thai dishes like green curry match the beer's tropical and citrus hop notes. Grilled burgers with sharp cheddar complement the malt backbone. Fish tacos with mango salsa echo the tropical fruit esters. Aged Gouda offers a nutty counterpoint to the hop bitterness. Cajun-spiced shrimp pairs well because the beer's citrus character cuts through the heat and richness.

What sizes does Hopothermia come in? This listing is for the standard 6-pack format from Alaskan Brewing Company.

Is Hopothermia worth the price? Hopothermia positions as a premium craft Double IPA from one of Alaska's most established breweries, and its multi-stage hopping process with five distinct hop varieties delivers complexity that competes with nationally acclaimed DIPAs. For the style and the quality of ingredients, it represents strong value in the imperial IPA tier.

Why Hopothermia?

The five-hop layering process — Nugget and Apollo for the base, then dry hopping with Amarillo, Citra, and Centennial — creates a depth of aroma and flavor that many single-stage Double IPAs cannot match. Recognition at the Melbourne Royal Show in both 2015 (Silver) and 2017 (Bronze) confirms its standing on an international stage. Draft Magazine's direct comparison to Pliny the Elder places Hopothermia in rare company among American imperial IPAs. For drinkers who want a hop-intense, full-bodied DIPA with genuine complexity from a pioneer Alaskan brewery, this six-pack delivers exactly that.