Great Lakes Midwest IPA 6Pk

Great Lakes Midwest IPA 6Pk is a 7% ABV American IPA from Great Lakes Brewing Company, available as a six-pack of 12 oz servings. What sets this beer apart is its use of honey malt alongside a four-hop blend, producing a balanced, citrus-driven IPA that has earned a 3.7 rating on Untappd across more than 15,000 reviews.

Quick Facts: ABV: 7%  |  IBU: 45  |  Origin: Cleveland, Ohio  |  Style: American IPA  |  Brewery: Great Lakes Brewing Company

Production & Heritage

Great Lakes Brewing Company operates out of Cleveland's Ohio City neighborhood, where the brewery has been a cornerstone of the Midwest craft beer scene since its founding in 1988 by brothers Patrick and Daniel Conway. Midwest IPA is built on a grain bill of 2-Row Base malt and honey malt — the latter contributing a subtle sweetness and rounded body that the brewery considers a defining element of the beer's character. On the hop side, the recipe layers Triumph, Strata, Cascade, and Citra varieties, achieving 45 IBUs — enough bitterness to register as a proper IPA without overwhelming the malt backbone that gives this expression its "Midwest Nice" personality.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Bright citrus leads, with orange peel and grapefruit rind arriving first, followed by a subtle layer of pine resin and a hint of floral hop character from the Strata addition. Beneath the hops, a bready, lightly caramelized sweetness from the honey malt rounds out the nose.

Taste: The entry delivers a burst of juicy orange and grapefruit that carries real pop on the mid-palate. A biscuity malt sweetness builds underneath — approaching hop-candy territory without tipping over — while the honey malt provides a soft, medium body that keeps the citrus and bitterness in check. Orange pith and a prickly carbonation add texture as the beer moves toward its finish.

Finish: Semi-dry with a lingering citrus bitterness and exhaled notes of toasty biscuit. The finish is clean and moderately long, leaving enough residual hop character to encourage the next sip without any harsh astringency.

How to Drink Midwest IPA

Pour into a standard pint glass or IPA glass at around 45–50°F to let the hop aromatics open up fully while preserving the malt sweetness. Drink it fresh — hoppy beers lose aromatic intensity over time, so this is not one to cellar. For food-friendly cocktail-adjacent serves, consider a Beer-a-Rita (IPA with fresh lime juice and a salted rim) where the citrus hops amplify the lime; a Michelada build using Midwest IPA in place of lager for a hoppy, spiced twist; or a Shandy mixed half-and-half with fresh lemonade, where the honey malt sweetness bridges beautifully with the tart citrus.

Best For

• Stocking a cooler for a Midwest tailgate or backyard cookout
• Introducing hop-curious friends to a balanced, approachable IPA
• Pairing with grilled burgers, bratwurst, or smoked meats
• Supporting a Cleveland-based independent craft brewery

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Midwest IPA taste like? Midwest IPA is citrus-forward with orange and grapefruit flavors balanced by a bready, lightly caramelized honey malt sweetness. The 45 IBU bitterness is firm but never harsh, finishing semi-dry with toasty biscuit notes.

How does Midwest IPA compare to Sierra Nevada Pale Ale? Drinkers have noted that Midwest IPA delivers a cleaner, more polished feel compared to Sierra Nevada Pale Ale, with brighter hop aromatics and a slightly higher ABV (7% versus 5.6%). Sierra Nevada leans more toward a traditional West Coast hop bitterness, while Midwest IPA uses its honey malt backbone to create a smoother, rounder body.

Is Midwest IPA good for beginners? Yes — its honey malt sweetness and moderate 45 IBUs make it one of the more approachable IPAs at the 7% ABV level, offering hop flavor without the aggressive bitterness that can challenge newer IPA drinkers.

Where is Midwest IPA made? Midwest IPA is brewed by Great Lakes Brewing Company in the Ohio City neighborhood of Cleveland, Ohio. The brewery was founded in 1988 and remains one of the Midwest's most established independent craft producers.

What foods pair well with Midwest IPA? Grilled bratwurst works well, as the hop bitterness cuts through the fatty richness. Sharp cheddar cheese mirrors the beer's malt sweetness while contrasting its citrus notes. Fish tacos with a citrus slaw echo the orange and grapefruit aromatics. Spicy buffalo wings benefit from the carbonation and moderate bitterness as palate cleansers. Wood-fired pizza with caramelized onions pairs naturally with the biscuity malt character.

What sizes does Midwest IPA come in? The standard format is a six-pack of 12 oz servings, which is the most widely available configuration for this beer.

Is Midwest IPA worth the price? Midwest IPA positions as a mid-range craft IPA — priced in line with other regional six-packs from established independent breweries. The quality of the four-hop blend and the distinctive honey malt grain bill deliver genuine character that justifies its place in the category.

Why Midwest IPA?

The inclusion of honey malt in the grain bill is the real differentiator here, creating a rounded sweetness that most IPAs built on standard 2-Row alone simply cannot replicate. That malt character is what gives Midwest IPA its identity as a style bridge — neither the resinous aggression of a West Coast IPA nor the hazy sweetness of a New England, but something deliberately balanced in between. Great Lakes Brewing Company has more than three decades of brewing experience behind this recipe, and the careful interplay of Triumph, Strata, Cascade, and Citra hops demonstrates a well-tuned understanding of how to build hop complexity without sacrificing drinkability. With over 15,000 Untappd ratings and a solid 3.7 score, this is a beer that has earned a loyal following through execution rather than hype.