Great Lakes Vibacious 6Pk

Great Lakes Vibacious 6Pk is a 9% ABV Double IPA from Great Lakes Brewing Company in Cleveland, Ohio, sold in a six-pack format. Earning an 89 on BeerAdvocate across nearly 100 ratings, this imperial IPA stands out for delivering remarkable smoothness at elevated strength, powered by a distinctive trio of Apollo, Cashmere, and Citra hops.

Quick Facts: ABV: 9%  |  Origin: Cleveland, Ohio  |  Style: Double IPA (Imperial IPA)  |  Brewery: Great Lakes Brewing Company  |  IBU: 40

Production & Heritage

Great Lakes Brewing Company, founded in 1988 by brothers Patrick and Daniel Conway, holds the distinction of being Ohio's first craft brewery. Operating from Cleveland's historic Ohio City neighborhood, the brewery has spent over three decades building a reputation for bold, well-constructed ales. Vibacious is their Double IPA entry, brewed with a deliberate three-hop combination: Apollo provides the bittering backbone, Cashmere contributes stone fruit and soft aromatic depth, and Citra delivers the signature citrus and tropical punch the style demands. At 40 IBU — moderate for a Double IPA — the bitterness is carefully calibrated to let hop flavor and aroma dominate rather than palate-scorching resin, which accounts for the beer's frequently praised smoothness despite its 9% ABV.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Bold citrus and tropical fruit lead the way — pineapple, passionfruit, and guava — layered over a bready, shortcake-like malt base. Touches of honey and rounded cereal sweetness fill in the background without competing with the hops.

Taste: Orange, white grapefruit, and lemon arrive on the first sip, shifting into ripe cantaloupe and melon through the mid-palate. A bready malt backbone and gentle honey sweetness keep the beer grounded, while the 9% ABV stays remarkably hidden behind the fruit-forward hop character. Reviewers consistently note how smoothly it drinks for the strength.

Finish: Herbal and botanical, with green tea, sassafras, cedar, and mint emerging as the initial hop brightness fades. The close is moderately long with a dry, clean resolution that prevents the higher alcohol from becoming cloying.

How to Drink Vibacious

Serve chilled between 45–50°F to let the hop aromatics fully open without suppressing the tropical complexity. Pouring into an IPA glass or tulip concentrates the nose and showcases the beer's hazy appearance. Vibacious works best enjoyed on its own or alongside bold-flavored food — its hop intensity and body make it a natural partner for spicy dishes, grilled meats, and rich cheeses rather than delicate fare.

Best For

• IPA enthusiasts seeking a smooth, high-ABV Double IPA with genuine hop complexity
• Sharing at summer cookouts and backyard barbecues where bold flavors match the food
• Gifting to a craft beer lover who appreciates Cleveland brewing heritage
• Pairing nights with spicy cuisine, grilled proteins, or sharp aged cheeses

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Vibacious taste like? Vibacious leads with bright citrus — orange, white grapefruit, and lemon — backed by tropical notes of pineapple, passionfruit, and cantaloupe over a bready malt base. The finish turns herbal with green tea, cedar, and mint, and the overall impression is remarkably smooth for a 9% ABV Double IPA.

How does Vibacious compare to Voodoo Ranger Juice Force? Reviewers have noted that the Juicy Vibacious variant from Great Lakes tastes strikingly similar to Voodoo Ranger Juice Force in both flavor and mouthfeel. Standard Vibacious leans slightly more toward a classic Double IPA profile with its balanced 40 IBU bitterness and herbal finish, while Juice Force pushes further into hazy, juice-bomb territory.

Is Vibacious good for sipping on its own? Absolutely — its smoothness and layered hop character make it an engaging standalone drink despite the 9% ABV. The moderate bitterness and fruit-driven profile keep it approachable without sacrificing complexity.

Where is Vibacious made? Vibacious is brewed by Great Lakes Brewing Company in the Ohio City neighborhood of Cleveland, Ohio. Founded in 1988, Great Lakes holds the distinction of being Ohio's first craft brewery.

What foods pair well with Vibacious? Spicy buffalo wings work well, as the hop bitterness cuts through heat and fat. Grilled citrus-marinated chicken mirrors the beer's citrus hop profile. Sharp aged cheddar benefits from the malt sweetness balancing the cheese's bite. Fish tacos with mango salsa complement the tropical hop notes. Dark chocolate brownies stand up to the beer's body and 9% ABV.

What sizes does Vibacious come in? Vibacious is available in a six-pack format, with individual cans at standard 12 oz size.

Is Vibacious worth the price? Vibacious positions as a premium craft Double IPA, competitive within its category given the 9% ABV, three-hop recipe, and BeerAdvocate score of 89. For drinkers who value smoothness and hop complexity in an imperial IPA, it delivers strong value relative to comparable craft six-packs.

Why Vibacious?

The specific combination of Apollo, Cashmere, and Citra hops gives Vibacious a flavor profile that bridges old-school West Coast bitterness and modern tropical-forward brewing without fully committing to either camp. Its 40 IBU — low for a Double IPA — signals a deliberate decision to prioritize hop flavor and aroma over aggressive bite, and that choice pays off in a beer that reviewers regularly describe as one of the smoothest they have encountered at 9% ABV. Backed by an 89 on BeerAdvocate and over three decades of Cleveland brewing credibility, Vibacious earns its place among serious Double IPAs without relying on haze-craze gimmicks. For hop-forward beer drinkers who want intensity without punishment, it is a compelling pick from one of the Midwest's most established craft breweries.