Deschutes Fresh Squeezed 6Pk

Deschutes Fresh Squeezed 6Pk is a 6.4% ABV India Pale Ale from Deschutes Brewery in Bend, Oregon, built around Citra and Mosaic hops. Rated 94 on BeerAdvocate and named to Zymurgy Magazine's Top Ten Beers in America alongside legends like Pliny the Elder and Heady Topper, this IPA has earned a permanent seat at the table of great American hop-forward beers.

Quick Facts: ABV: 6.4%  |  IBU: 60  |  Origin: Bend, Oregon  |  Style: India Pale Ale  |  Brewery: Deschutes Brewery

Production & Heritage

Deschutes Brewery was founded in 1988 in Bend, Oregon, and has grown into one of the Pacific Northwest's most respected craft breweries. Fresh Squeezed is brewed with a malt bill of Pale 2-Row, Munich, and Crystal malts, hopped generously with Citra, Mosaic, and Nugget varieties. The brewing team began experimenting with Citra hops before the hazy IPA trend took hold, recognizing early how sweet and fruit-forward the varietal could be. Over time, they shifted their process to include dry-hop additions and tuned up the malt backbone to enhance the perception of sweetness, creating a balance that distinguishes Fresh Squeezed from both aggressive West Coast bitters and murky New England-style IPAs.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Huge aromatics lead with grapefruit and navel orange, followed by ripe mango and berry. A resinous pine undercurrent and faint floral notes round out the nose.

Taste: The entry is bright and citrus-driven — clementine and lemon peel arrive first, transitioning into tropical layers of peach, papaya, and mango at the mid-palate. A cracker-like malt sweetness anchors the hop intensity, while a grassy, dank bitterness keeps everything in check at 60 IBUs.

Finish: Medium in length with lingering grapefruit pith and a clean, piney bite. The bitterness fades evenly, leaving a dry but not astringent close that invites the next sip.

How to Drink Fresh Squeezed

Pour into a tulip glass or standard pint at around 45°F to let the hop aromatics fully open up. Fresh Squeezed is at its best consumed fresh — check the packaging date and drink within 90 days for peak hop flavor. While this is primarily a drinking-straight beer, its citrus intensity works in a Hop Shandy (mixed with fresh lemonade for a summer refresher), a Michelada (where the grapefruit and pine notes play well against lime juice and hot sauce), or a Beermosa (blended with fresh orange juice for a hoppy brunch alternative).

Best For

• Introducing someone to West Coast IPAs without overwhelming bitterness
• Backyard grilling sessions where bold, citrusy beer matches charred meats
• Building a craft beer variety pack for hop-curious friends
• Pairing with bold, spicy dishes that need a flavorful beer counterpart

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Fresh Squeezed taste like? Fresh Squeezed leads with bright grapefruit, lemon, and mango flavors supported by a cracker-like malt sweetness, finishing with a clean pine bitterness at 60 IBU. It drinks juicy and citrus-forward without the heavy body or haze of a New England-style IPA.

How does Fresh Squeezed compare to Pliny the Elder? Both are iconic West Coast IPAs that earned spots on Zymurgy Magazine's Top Ten Beers in America, but Fresh Squeezed sits at 6.4% ABV compared to Pliny's 8%, making it more sessionable. Fresh Squeezed leans heavier into tropical and citrus sweetness from Citra and Mosaic hops, while Pliny is drier and more aggressively bitter with a more complex hop bill.

Is Fresh Squeezed good for IPA beginners? Yes — its balanced malt backbone and emphasis on juicy citrus fruit over harsh bitterness make it one of the most approachable West Coast IPAs on the market. The 6.4% ABV is moderate enough to enjoy across multiple pints without fatigue.

Where is Fresh Squeezed made? Fresh Squeezed is brewed by Deschutes Brewery in Bend, Oregon, a city in the high desert of central Oregon known as a hub for Pacific Northwest craft brewing. Deschutes has operated there since 1988.

What foods pair well with Fresh Squeezed? Grilled fish tacos with mango salsa mirror the beer's tropical notes. Spicy Thai green curry finds balance against the citrus and malt sweetness. A sharp cheddar or pepper jack cheese plate amplifies the hop bitterness in a satisfying way. Barbecue pulled pork sandwiches stand up to the beer's bold flavor, and a simple margherita pizza lets the hop aromatics take center stage.

What sizes does Fresh Squeezed come in? Fresh Squeezed is widely available in 6-packs of 12 oz cans and bottles, as well as 12-packs and draft at many bars and restaurants.

Is Fresh Squeezed worth the price? Fresh Squeezed positions as a premium everyday craft IPA — accessible enough for regular rotation yet consistently rated among the best IPAs in the country. Its BeerAdvocate score of 94 across thousands of ratings reflects exceptional quality for its price tier.

Why Fresh Squeezed?

Deschutes was ahead of the curve on Citra hops, building Fresh Squeezed around the varietal's explosive citrus and tropical character before it became the most sought-after hop in American brewing. That head start shows in the recipe's maturity — the interplay between Citra, Mosaic, and a carefully calibrated malt bill delivers a depth that many imitators miss. Recognition from Draft Magazine (Top 25 Beers, 2013), Zymurgy Magazine, and a 94 rating on BeerAdvocate confirms what regular drinkers already know: this is one of the most reliably excellent IPAs produced in the United States, and it has been for over a decade.