Goose Island SO LO 6Pk Cans

Goose Island SO-LO 6Pk Cans is a low-calorie IPA from Goose Island Beer Company at 3.0% ABV, sold in a 6-pack of 12 oz cans. What distinguishes SO-LO from the crowded session-IPA field is its triple dry-hop bill — Idaho 7, Chinook, and Kohatu — delivering legitimate hop complexity at just 98 calories per can.

Quick Facts: ABV: 3.0%  |  Origin: Chicago, Illinois  |  Style: Light IPA  |  Brewery: Goose Island Beer Company  |  Calories: 98  |  IBU: 23

Production & Heritage

Goose Island Beer Company was founded in 1988 on Clybourn Avenue in Chicago and has since become one of the most recognized craft breweries in the United States. SO-LO is brewed with four different types of malts forming a light but supportive grain backbone, then dry hopped with Idaho 7, Chinook, and Kohatu — a New Zealand hop variety known for tropical and lime-zest character. The brewing approach relies on low kettle hop additions to create soft, balanced bitterness rather than aggressive bite, allowing the dry-hop aromatics to take center stage despite the beer's lean 3.0% ABV frame.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Citrus peel and herbal hop notes greet the nose immediately, with a light tropical undertone courtesy of the Kohatu hops. There is a faint biscuit-malt sweetness behind the hop-forward aromatics.

Taste: The entry is crisp and clean, with citrus bitterness arriving early on the palate. Mid-palate brings a touch of honey-like malt sweetness that balances the hop presence before a gentle herbal bitterness takes hold. The body is light and easy-drinking without tasting watered down.

Finish: Short to medium in length with lingering citrus pith and a dry, refreshing close. The 23 IBU bitterness fades cleanly without residual astringency.

How to Drink SO-LO

SO-LO drinks best cold — straight from the can or poured into a tulip glass to amplify the dry-hop aromatics. It is built as a sessionable standalone beer, but it also works in beer-based mixed drinks. A Beer Shandy with fresh lemonade complements the citrus hop character without adding heaviness. A Michelada pairs well because SO-LO's light body and crisp bitterness hold up against lime, hot sauce, and tomato. A Hop Skip & Go Naked — a classic beer cocktail with vodka and lemonade — gains more hop complexity when SO-LO replaces a standard lager.

Best For

• Day drinking at summer cookouts without sacrificing hop flavor
• Fitness-conscious craft beer drinkers tracking calorie intake
• Stocking a cooler for long outdoor sessions — hiking, tailgating, or beach trips
• Introducing lighter-beer drinkers to IPA-style flavors at approachable intensity

Frequently Asked Questions

What does SO-LO taste like? SO-LO delivers citrus-forward hop bitterness balanced by a light honey-malt sweetness, with herbal and tropical undertones from Idaho 7, Chinook, and Kohatu hops. The body is crisp and light, finishing dry and clean.

How does SO-LO compare to Lagunitas DayTime IPA? Lagunitas DayTime IPA comes in slightly higher at 4.0% ABV and 98 calories, offering a more resinous, pine-driven hop profile. SO-LO sits lower at 3.0% ABV with a more citrus-and-tropical-leaning hop character from its New Zealand and American hop blend.

Is SO-LO good for easy session drinking? At 3.0% ABV and 98 calories per 12 oz can, SO-LO is specifically engineered for extended sessions where you want real hop flavor without rapid alcohol accumulation.

Where is SO-LO made? SO-LO is brewed by Goose Island Beer Company, originally founded in Chicago, Illinois in 1988. Goose Island operates brewing facilities in Chicago and is part of the Anheuser-Busch InBev family of breweries.

What foods pair well with SO-LO? Fish tacos benefit from SO-LO's citrus hop notes cutting through rich sauces. Grilled chicken or shrimp skewers match the beer's light body without competing for palate attention. A classic cheeseburger pairs well because the hop bitterness contrasts the fat. Fresh ceviche echoes the beer's own citrus character, and spicy Thai or Vietnamese dishes are tempered by its low bitterness and clean finish.

What sizes does SO-LO come in? SO-LO is commonly available in a 6-pack of 12 oz cans, which is the standard retail format for this product.

Is SO-LO worth the price? SO-LO positions as an entry-level craft IPA competing in the growing low-calorie beer segment. For drinkers who want genuine dry-hopped IPA character in a sub-100-calorie package, it represents solid value within the light-IPA category.

Why SO-LO?

The low-calorie IPA space is flooded with beers that compromise flavor for numbers on a nutrition label. SO-LO avoids that trap by using a three-hop dry-hop combination — Idaho 7, Chinook, and Kohatu — that gives it an aromatic punch well beyond what its 3.0% ABV and 98 calories might suggest. The four-malt grain bill, while light, provides enough structure to prevent the beer from tasting thin. Backed by Goose Island's 35-plus years of brewing credibility in Chicago, SO-LO earns its place as one of the more flavorful options for drinkers who want a legitimate IPA they can enjoy over a long afternoon.