Firestone Walker Flyjack 6Pk

Firestone Walker Flyjack 6-Pack is a low-calorie hazy IPA from Paso Robles, California, brewed at 4.0% ABV with just 96 calories per 12 oz can. Built on a complex dry-hop blend of Strata, Mosaic, Chinook, and Sabro hops, Flyjack delivered full hazy IPA flavor in a remarkably light package — a standout in the better-for-you beer category. Note: This beer has been discontinued by the brewery.

Quick Facts: ABV: 4.0%  |  IBU: 25  |  Calories: 96 per 12 oz  |  Origin: Paso Robles, California  |  Style: Hazy IPA  |  Brewery: Firestone Walker Brewing Co.

Production & Heritage

Firestone Walker Brewing Company was founded in 1996 in Paso Robles, California, and has grown into one of the most respected craft breweries on the West Coast. Flyjack was engineered using a distinctive process: special enzymes were introduced to break down larger sugars so that the house yeast strain could fully consume them during fermentation, yielding an exceptionally dry beer. The grain bill combined 2-row barley, wheat, Munich malt, and oats for body and mouthfeel, while kettle hops (Cascade, Callista) and a generous dry-hop charge of Strata, Mosaic, Chinook, and Sabro provided aromatic intensity far beyond what a 96-calorie beer typically delivers. Of those 96 calories, approximately 80 come from alcohol itself, leaving only about 16 residual calories from carbohydrates — an unusually efficient fermentation profile.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Intense tropical fruit leads immediately, followed by layers of lemon zest, fragrant berries, and a touch of black pepper. A faint cracker-like malt sweetness sits underneath the hop-forward aromatics.

Taste: The entry is bright with crisp lemony hops and tangerine peel, moving into a mid-palate of ripe strawberry and juicy grapefruit. Mild bitterness provides structure without weight, with faint grassy and herbal notes adding complexity. The oat and wheat base gives a soft, slightly creamy texture despite the ultra-low calorie count.

Finish: Clean, dry, and refreshingly bitter with lingering citrus rind and a whisper of earthy herbs. The finish is short but satisfying, encouraging another sip rather than lingering on the palate.

How to Drink Flyjack

Serve cold — around 40–45°F — straight from the can or poured into a tulip glass to amplify the hop aromatics. Flyjack was designed as a sessionable, standalone beer, but its tropical-citrus character also made it versatile in beer cocktails. A Michelada benefits from Flyjack's bright citrus profile and dry body, which keeps the drink light. A Beer Margarita (beer, tequila, lime) works well because the tangerine and grapefruit notes complement fresh lime. A Shandy with fresh lemonade pairs naturally with Flyjack's lemony hop character without becoming cloyingly sweet.

Best For

• Hot-weather session drinking when a full-strength IPA feels too heavy
• Health-conscious craft beer drinkers tracking calories without sacrificing hop flavor
• Backyard barbecues and tailgates where drinkability over hours matters
• Introducing someone to hazy IPAs with a lower-ABV, approachable starting point

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Flyjack taste like? Flyjack delivers bright tropical fruit, tangerine, and grapefruit up front, with a crisp, dry body and a clean bitter finish — remarkably hop-forward for a 96-calorie beer.

How does Flyjack compare to Deschutes WOWZA! Hazy IPA? Both are 4.0% ABV low-calorie hazy IPAs targeting the same health-conscious craft drinker, though WOWZA comes in slightly higher at 100 calories per can. Flyjack leans more heavily into tropical and berry aromatics from its Strata and Sabro dry hops, while WOWZA tends toward a more citrus-dominant profile.

Is Flyjack good for calorie-conscious drinkers? At 96 calories and 4.0% ABV, Flyjack was one of the lowest-calorie hazy IPAs available from a major craft brewery, making it an excellent option for drinkers watching their intake without switching to light lager.

Where is Flyjack made? Flyjack was brewed by Firestone Walker Brewing Company at their facility in Paso Robles, on California's Central Coast — a region better known for wine but home to one of the state's most acclaimed craft breweries since 1996.

What foods pair well with Flyjack? Grilled fish tacos work well, as the citrus hop character echoes fresh lime and cilantro. Light Southeast Asian dishes like summer rolls or green papaya salad complement the tropical fruit notes. A simple margherita pizza matches the beer's clean, dry body. Ceviche mirrors the bright acidity and citrus flavors. Grilled chicken with herb seasoning pairs with the faint grassy and herbal undertones in the finish.

What sizes does Flyjack come in? Flyjack was available in 12 oz cans, typically sold in 6-packs.

Is Flyjack worth the price? Flyjack positioned as a mid-range craft beer price point, competing directly with other low-calorie hazy IPAs. For the level of hop complexity it delivered at just 96 calories, it represented strong value within the category — though availability is now limited as the beer has been discontinued.

Why Flyjack?

Flyjack stood apart in the crowded low-calorie beer space because Firestone Walker refused to treat it as a compromise product. The enzyme-driven fermentation process was a genuine technical innovation that stripped out residual sugar while preserving the lush, tropical hop character drinkers expect from a hazy IPA. A four-hop dry-hop blend of Strata, Mosaic, Chinook, and Sabro — varieties typically reserved for full-strength flagships — gave Flyjack an aromatic intensity that most sub-100-calorie beers simply cannot match. While its discontinuation limits availability, remaining stock represents one of the more ambitious attempts a major craft brewery has made to prove that low-calorie and full-flavored are not mutually exclusive.