Lagunitas Day Time IPA 6Pk

Lagunitas Day Time IPA 6Pk is a hop-forward American session IPA from Lagunitas Brewing Company, packaged as a six-pack at 4.0% ABV. Scoring 88/100 from Craft Beer & Brewing, this low-calorie session ale packs remarkably full hop character into a frame of just 98 calories and 3 carbohydrates per serving — a genuine feat of brewing restraint.

Quick Facts: ABV: 4.0%  |  Origin: Petaluma, California  |  Style: Session IPA  |  Brewery: Lagunitas Brewing Company

Production & Heritage

Lagunitas Brewing Company, founded in Petaluma, California, built its reputation on aggressively hopped West Coast ales. Day Time IPA channels that philosophy through a grain bill of malts and oats, hopped generously with Centennial and Citra — two varieties known for their piney, citrus-heavy profiles. The oat component provides a soft, pillowy mouthfeel that gives the beer body well beyond what its 4.0% ABV and 98-calorie count might suggest. Where many session IPAs sacrifice hop intensity for drinkability, Day Time treats that trade-off as a false choice.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with piney, resinous hops that give way to ripe grapefruit and grassy undertones. A faint touch of supporting malt sweetness sits behind the hop-driven aromatics, keeping things balanced without stealing the spotlight.

Taste: The entry is slightly biscuity and mellow, with oat-driven softness coating the palate. Mid-palate, vibrant citrus and tropical fruit notes from the Citra hops take over, supported by Centennial's earthy bitterness. Mild grapefruit and lemon peel emerge toward the peak, layered over a light granola and honey-like malt backbone.

Finish: Clean, thirst-slaking, and brisk with medium carbonation. A gentle residual bitterness lingers alongside fading citrus peel, inviting the next sip almost immediately.

How to Drink Day Time IPA

Day Time is built to be drunk cold, straight from the can or poured into a tulip glass to amplify the hop aromatics. Its light body and crisp carbonation make it an ideal warm-weather beer, but the hop complexity rewards attention year-round.

• IPA Shandy: Mix with fresh lemonade to amplify the citrus notes while keeping the ABV low for extended sessions.
• Hop Radler: Blend with sparkling grapefruit soda to lean into the natural grapefruit character from the Citra hops.
• Michelada: The light body and citrus-forward profile hold up surprisingly well against lime, hot sauce, and tomato juice.

Best For

• Afternoon barbecues and outdoor gatherings where session-length drinking is the plan
• IPA fans tracking calories without wanting to sacrifice hop flavor
• Stocking a cooler for a beach day or camping weekend
• Introducing someone to session IPAs with a well-known, accessible example

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Day Time IPA taste like? Day Time IPA leads with biscuity malt and oat softness before a wave of grapefruit, lemon peel, and tropical hop notes takes over. The finish is clean and moderately bitter with a light honey-granola sweetness underneath.

How does Day Time IPA compare to Founders All Day IPA? Both are leading session IPAs at similar ABV levels, but Day Time IPA is described as slightly less hoppy than Founders All Day IPA with a softer, oat-driven body. The two are very similar in overall taste, though Day Time leans more toward tropical and citrus aromatics from its Citra hop bill.

Is Day Time IPA good for calorie-conscious drinkers? At 98 calories and just 3 carbohydrates per serving, Day Time IPA is one of the lowest-calorie craft IPAs available while still delivering genuine hop complexity. It suits anyone who wants full flavor without the caloric load of a standard IPA.

Where is Day Time IPA made? Day Time IPA is brewed by Lagunitas Brewing Company, based in Petaluma, California. Lagunitas is one of the most recognized craft breweries on the West Coast, known for its hop-centric approach to American ales.

What foods pair well with Day Time IPA? Grilled chicken or fish tacos benefit from the beer's citrus hop brightness. Spicy Thai noodles work well because the light body and carbonation cut through heat. A simple arugula salad with goat cheese matches the beer's mild bitterness. Sharp cheddar or pepper jack cheese highlights the malt backbone. Ceviche or poke bowls echo the tropical and citrus notes from the Citra hops.

What sizes does Day Time IPA come in? Day Time IPA is widely available in six-packs. Lagunitas also offers it in larger multi-packs and single cans depending on the market.

Is Day Time IPA worth the price? Day Time IPA positions as a mid-range craft session IPA, and its combination of 98 calories, 4.0% ABV, and genuine Citra-and-Centennial hop character makes it a strong value in the session category. Few competitors deliver this level of hop aroma and flavor at such low caloric cost.

Why Day Time IPA?

The session IPA category is crowded, but Day Time IPA stands apart by refusing to compromise hop intensity for the sake of low ABV and low calories. The dual Centennial-and-Citra hop bill delivers an aroma and flavor profile that rivals many full-strength IPAs, while the oat-enriched grain bill provides body and texture that keep it from tasting thin or watery. Its 88/100 score from Craft Beer & Brewing and over 229,000 ratings on Untappd confirm broad critical and consumer approval. For anyone who wants a legitimate IPA they can drink through an afternoon without fatigue, Day Time earns its name honestly.