Alaskan Husky IPA 6Pk

Alaskan Husky IPA 6Pk is a 7% ABV SMaSH (Single Malt and Single Hop) India Pale Ale brewed by Alaskan Brewing Co. in six 12-oz cans. Scored 97/100 by Craft Beer & Brewing, Husky IPA strips the style down to its essentials — Mosaic hops and premium Pilsen malt — to showcase what a single hop variety can deliver when nothing else competes for attention.

Quick Facts: ABV: 7%  |  Origin: Alaska, USA  |  Style: SMaSH IPA  |  IBU: 50  |  Brewery: Alaskan Brewing Co.

Production & Heritage

Alaskan Brewing Co. was founded in 1986 in Juneau, Alaska, and has built its reputation on brewing with glacier-fed water drawn from the Juneau Icefield. Husky IPA follows a SMaSH recipe — a deliberate approach that isolates a single malt (premium Pilsen) and a single hop (Mosaic) so each ingredient speaks clearly. The result is a focused IPA with an original gravity of 1.060 and 50 IBUs, delivering assertive hop character without burying the grain bill beneath complexity. This minimalist framework highlights the versatility of Mosaic hops, which contribute an unusually wide spectrum of fruit and resin aromatics on their own.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Tangerine and papaya lead the nose, followed by resinous pine and a subtle undercurrent of tropical pineapple. The Mosaic hop profile is unmistakable — lush fruit layered over evergreen.

Taste: The entry is clean and malt-forward thanks to the Pilsen base, quickly giving way to a surge of tropical and stone fruit at mid-palate. Pine and grapefruit emerge toward the peak, adding structure without aggressive bitterness. Despite 50 IBUs, the beer reads as moderate in bitterness, letting fruit-forward hop expression stay in the driver's seat.

Finish: Medium-long with a slight creamy texture and lingering notes of citrus pith and pine needle. The mouthfeel is medium-high, leaving a satisfying hoppy impression without the drying astringency some West Coast IPAs deliver.

How to Drink Husky IPA

Pour cold — around 45°F — into a tulip glass to concentrate the aromatic top notes of tangerine and papaya. The brilliant golden clarity and frothy head make this a beer that rewards a proper pour over drinking straight from the can. For cocktail-curious drinkers, try a Hop Shandy with fresh lemonade and a sprig of basil, where Mosaic's tropical notes amplify the citrus; a Michelada using Husky IPA in place of a lager for added hop complexity against lime and hot sauce; or a Beer-a-Rita, blending the IPA with fresh grapefruit juice and a salted rim to mirror the beer's natural citrus character.

Best For

• Summer cookouts where a hop-forward but approachable beer holds its own against grilled meats
• Introducing craft beer drinkers to the SMaSH concept and single-hop exploration
• Pairing flights — comparing Husky IPA's Mosaic-only profile against multi-hop IPAs side by side
• Sending a taste of Alaska to friends in the lower 48 as a unique regional gift

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Husky IPA taste like? Husky IPA delivers prominent tropical and stone fruit flavors — tangerine, papaya, and pineapple — balanced by pine and grapefruit, with moderate bitterness and a creamy, medium-bodied mouthfeel.

How does Husky IPA compare to Deschutes Fresh Squeezed IPA? Husky IPA is often described as a milder counterpart to Deschutes Fresh Squeezed, sharing tropical and citrus hop characteristics but pulling back on overall bitterness and intensity. Its SMaSH recipe also gives it a cleaner, more streamlined flavor profile compared to Fresh Squeezed's multi-hop blend.

Is Husky IPA good for IPA beginners? Yes — the moderate 50 IBU bitterness level and fruit-forward Mosaic hop character make it a welcoming entry point for drinkers who find aggressively bitter IPAs off-putting.

Where is Husky IPA made? Husky IPA is brewed by Alaskan Brewing Co. in Juneau, Alaska, using glacier-fed water sourced from the Juneau Icefield, one of the defining ingredients in the brewery's lineup since 1986.

What foods pair well with Husky IPA? Grilled salmon — the tropical hop notes complement rich, oily fish. Fish tacos with mango salsa echo the beer's stone fruit character. Sharp cheddar or pepper jack cheese stands up to the hop intensity. Spicy Thai curry is tempered by the creamy mouthfeel and citrus. Grilled pineapple desserts mirror the Mosaic hop's natural pineapple quality.

What sizes does Husky IPA come in? Husky IPA is available in a standard 6-pack of 12-oz cans.

Is Husky IPA worth the price? Husky IPA positions as a mid-tier craft IPA, and its 97/100 score from Craft Beer & Brewing alongside a Bronze Medal at the Australian International Beer Awards suggests strong value relative to other single-hop IPAs in the same price range.

Why Husky IPA?

The SMaSH framework is what separates Husky IPA from the crowded IPA shelf. By limiting the recipe to one malt and one hop, Alaskan Brewing created a beer that functions as both a showcase for Mosaic hops and a genuinely drinkable everyday IPA — no small feat at 7% ABV. The 97/100 rating from Craft Beer & Brewing and a Bronze Medal at the Australian International Beer Awards validate the approach. Brewed with Alaskan glacier-fed water and rooted in a brewery with nearly four decades of cold-climate brewing expertise, Husky IPA earns its place as one of the more distinctive single-hop IPAs available.