Lakefront IPA 6Pk

Lakefront IPA 6Pk is a six-pack of American IPA from Lakefront Brewery in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, brewed at 6.7% ABV with 50 IBUs. This hop-forward ale earned a Gold Medal for American IPA at the 2021 Can Can Awards and holds an 89 score on BeerAdvocate from over 1,400 ratings.

Quick Facts: ABV: 6.7%  |  Origin: Milwaukee, Wisconsin  |  Style: American IPA  |  IBU: 50  |  Brewery: Lakefront Brewery

Production & Heritage

Lakefront Brewery has been a trailblazer in American craft brewing since its early days in Milwaukee — in 1992 the brewery bottled the first fruit beer in the U.S. since Prohibition, and in 1996 it produced the country's first certified organic beer. The IPA is built on a malt bill of Two-Row Pale, Munich, 30°L Caramel, and 3°L Caramel malts, providing a sturdy backbone for an aggressive six-hop blend of Wisconsin-grown Magnum, Citra, Cashmere, Cascade, Chinook, and Centennial. That combination of six distinct hop varieties gives the beer a layered complexity that moves well beyond single-note bitterness.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Pine resin and herbal hops lead the nose, followed by a wave of citrus rind and a subtle, almost minty botanical quality. The malt foundation adds a faint cracker-like sweetness underneath.

Taste: Hops arrive immediately with bold herbal and piney character, then shift toward grapefruit zest and a light resinous bite at mid-palate. The Munich and caramel malts push back with toasty, lightly sweet grain flavors that keep the bitterness in check, creating a surprisingly well-balanced body for a 50-IBU beer.

Finish: Smooth and moderately long, with lingering hop flavor reminiscent of fresh ruby red grapefruit. A clean, dry fade leaves behind just enough residual malt sweetness to invite the next sip.

How to Drink Lakefront IPA

Pour into a tulip glass or standard pint at around 45–50°F to let the hop aromatics fully express themselves. Drinking straight from the can works in casual settings, but a proper pour rewards with significantly more aroma.

• IPA Shandy: Mix with fresh lemonade to tame the bitterness while amplifying the citrus and pine notes for warm-weather drinking.
• Hopped Michelada: The piney, herbal character pairs naturally with lime, hot sauce, and Worcestershire for a savory beer cocktail with real depth.
• Beer-a-Rita: Blend with frozen limeade concentrate — the grapefruit and citrus hop notes create a layered, bitter-tart slush.

Best For

• Backyard cookouts where bold hop character can stand up to smoky grilled meats
• Introducing someone to American IPAs without overwhelming bitterness
• Bringing a respected craft six-pack to a house party or tailgate
• Pairing nights exploring how hop-forward beers interact with spicy or rich foods

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Lakefront IPA taste like? Lakefront IPA leads with bold pine and herbal hop flavors, transitions into grapefruit zest, and finishes smooth with a balanced malty sweetness that prevents the 50-IBU bitterness from dominating.

How does Lakefront IPA compare to Bell's Two Hearted Ale? Both are Midwest-brewed American IPAs, but Lakefront IPA uses a six-hop blend (including Citra and Cashmere) for a broader aromatic range, while Bell's Two Hearted relies entirely on Centennial hops for a more focused citrus and floral profile. Lakefront comes in slightly higher at 6.7% ABV compared to Two Hearted's 7.0%.

Is Lakefront IPA good for IPA beginners? Yes — its 50 IBUs and smooth caramel malt backbone make it more approachable than many aggressive West Coast IPAs, while still delivering genuine hop intensity that experienced IPA drinkers will respect.

Where is Lakefront IPA made? Lakefront IPA is brewed at Lakefront Brewery in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, a pioneering craft brewery known for producing the first certified organic beer in the United States in 1996.

What foods pair well with Lakefront IPA? Spicy buffalo wings match the hop bitterness and amplify the citrus notes. Sharp cheddar cheese creates a classic contrast with the malty body. Grilled bratwurst (a Milwaukee staple) complements the toasty malt character. Fish tacos with lime crema echo the grapefruit finish. Thai green curry lets the herbal hop notes play off lemongrass and basil.

What sizes does Lakefront IPA come in? Lakefront IPA is commonly available in six-packs of 12 oz cans or bottles.

Is Lakefront IPA worth the price? Lakefront IPA positions as a mid-range craft IPA — competitively placed against comparable six-hop American IPAs from regional breweries, with a Gold Medal pedigree and BeerAdvocate score of 89 that support its value within the category.

Why Lakefront IPA?

The six-hop combination of WI Magnum, Citra, Cashmere, Cascade, Chinook, and Centennial is the defining feature here — few IPAs at this price point layer that many hop varieties into a single beer. The 2021 Gold Medal at the Can Can Awards validated what the recipe delivers: genuine complexity without sacrificing drinkability. Lakefront Brewery's decades of innovation in Milwaukee give the IPA a credible pedigree that extends beyond marketing. At 6.7% ABV with a balanced malt structure, this is a hop-driven beer that rewards attention but never demands it.