Great Lakes Commodore Perry IPA 6Pk

Great Lakes Commodore Perry IPA 6-Pack is a 7.5% ABV British-style India Pale Ale from Great Lakes Brewing Company, sold as a six-pack of 12 oz bottles. Named after War of 1812 naval hero Oliver Hazard Perry, this IPA earned an 87 on BeerAdvocate from over 3,000 ratings, reflecting its reputation as one of the Midwest's most respected IPAs.

Quick Facts: ABV: 7.5%  |  Origin: Cleveland, Ohio  |  Style: British-Style IPA  |  Brewery: Great Lakes Brewing Company

Production & Heritage

Great Lakes Brewing Company was founded in 1988 in Cleveland's Ohio City neighborhood, making it one of Ohio's original craft breweries. Commodore Perry IPA is built on a malt bill of Harrington 2-Row Base Malt and Caramel 30, hopped with Simcoe and Fuggle — an American-English hop pairing that bridges bold citrus resin with earthy, herbal character. The brewery uses no preservatives in any of its beers, resulting in a shorter shelf life than most commercial offerings but a cleaner, more natural drinking experience that rewards freshness.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Citrus peel and pine resin lead the nose, followed by herbal, slightly floral hop character from the Fuggle addition. A subtle caramel malt sweetness anchors the aroma without competing with the hops.

Taste: The entry is slightly sweet, with light brown sugar and honey notes from the Caramel 30 malt. At mid-palate, spicy and resinous hop bitterness builds steadily, balanced by a medium body that keeps the beer from tipping too far in either direction. The overall impression is firmly hop-forward but never abrasive.

Finish: Dry and moderately long, with lingering citrus and a pleasant bitterness that tingles across the palate. A faint fruity note appears on the tail end, encouraging the next sip.

How to Drink Commodore Perry IPA

Commodore Perry drinks well straight from the bottle at cellar temperature or poured into a pint glass at around 45–50°F, which opens up the hop aromatics without dulling the malt backbone. For cocktails and beer-based drinks, this IPA's citrus-resin character works in several directions:

• IPA Shandy: Mix half-and-half with fresh lemonade — the caramel malt sweetness rounds out the tartness while the hops add complexity.
• Hop Michelada: Combine with lime juice, hot sauce, Worcestershire, and a salted rim — the resinous bitterness pairs naturally with savory-spicy heat.
• Citrus Radler: Blend with grapefruit juice for a lower-ABV summer drink where Commodore Perry's pine and citrus notes amplify the fruit.

Best For

• Introducing hop-curious drinkers to a balanced, non-extreme IPA
• Backyard grilling sessions where bold food meets bold beer
• Gifting to craft beer fans who appreciate Midwest brewing heritage
• Building a curated IPA tasting flight comparing British and American styles

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Commodore Perry IPA taste like? Commodore Perry leads with citrus and pine hop flavors, supported by light brown sugar and caramel malt sweetness, and finishes dry with a lingering, pleasant bitterness.

How does Commodore Perry IPA compare to Goose Island IPA? Both are English-influenced IPAs, but Commodore Perry runs higher in ABV at 7.5% versus Goose Island IPA's 5.9%, delivering a fuller body and more pronounced hop bitterness. Goose Island IPA leans more floral and approachable, while Commodore Perry pushes further into resinous, piney territory.

Is Commodore Perry IPA good for sipping on its own? Yes — its balance of caramel malt sweetness and firm hop bitterness makes it a satisfying standalone pour, especially at the right serving temperature of 45–50°F.

Where is Commodore Perry IPA made? Commodore Perry IPA is brewed at the Great Lakes Brewing Company in the Ohio City neighborhood of Cleveland, Ohio, a brewery that has been operating since 1988.

What foods pair well with Commodore Perry IPA? Grilled burgers and sharp cheddar complement the caramel malt; spicy buffalo wings are tempered by the hop bitterness; fish tacos with citrus slaw echo the beer's citrus notes; aged Gouda mirrors its brown sugar undertones; and pepperoni pizza finds a natural match in the resinous, slightly spicy hop character.

What sizes does Commodore Perry IPA come in? Commodore Perry IPA is commonly available in six-packs of 12 oz bottles. It may also appear in draft and seasonal variety packs depending on market and availability.

Is Commodore Perry IPA worth the price? Commodore Perry positions as a craft IPA at a mainstream price tier, offering a higher ABV and more complex hop profile than many comparably priced six-packs — strong value for drinkers who want a well-established IPA without paying premium single-bottle prices.

Why Commodore Perry IPA?

What distinguishes Commodore Perry from the crowded IPA field is its deliberate restraint. Rather than chasing haze or triple-dry-hopping trends, Great Lakes built this beer around a traditional British IPA framework, then sharpened it with American Simcoe hops for citrus and resin punch. The preservative-free approach means freshness matters — a bottle at peak condition rewards the drinker with cleaner hop expression and a more cohesive malt-hop interplay than shelf-fatigued alternatives. With an 87 on BeerAdvocate across thousands of ratings and over three decades of continuous production, Commodore Perry has earned its standing as a benchmark Midwest IPA.