Lagunitas Day Time IPA 6Pk Cans

Lagunitas Day Time IPA 6Pk Cans is a session IPA brewed at 4.0% ABV, sold in six-packs of 12 oz cans, built for full hop flavor without the weight. Scored 97/100 by Craft Beer & Brewing magazine in 2015, it stands as one of the most acclaimed session IPAs on the American craft market.

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

Production & Heritage

Lagunitas Brewing Company was founded in 1993 in Petaluma, California, and is now a subsidiary of Heineken International. Day Time IPA is brewed with a base of malts and oats and hopped with Centennial and Citra varieties. What distinguishes this beer from typical session IPAs is a specialized process that dries out the beer during production — reportedly using glucoamylase to achieve a very dry, almost Brut IPA-like character — which strips away residual sugars and significantly reduces the calorie count while preserving bold hop expression.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with crisp, clean hop aromatics — lemon zest and grapefruit rind lead, followed by waves of pineapple, kiwi, and a subtle thread of passion fruit. A faint biscuity malt character anchors the tropical top notes.

Taste: The entry is light-bodied and slightly biscuity, quickly giving way to a citrus-driven mid-palate of grapefruit and lemon peel. Citra hops push tropical fruit — gooseberry and passion fruit — into the center, while the oat base lends a gentle, rounded mouthfeel that belies the beer's low ABV. The overall impression is remarkably dry and clean.

Finish: The finish is moderately bitter with a snappy, resinous pine quality and delicate notes of granola and light honey. It fades quickly and cleanly, encouraging the next sip rather than lingering heavily.

How to Drink Day Time IPA

Drink it cold, straight from the can or poured into a tulip glass to concentrate the hop aromatics. This is a beer designed for volume without consequences — ideal for extended sessions.

• Michelada: The dry, citrus-forward profile pairs naturally with lime, hot sauce, and Clamato for a hop-forward twist on the classic.
• Beer Shandy: Mixed with fresh lemonade, the tropical hop character amplifies into a refreshing warm-weather drink.
• IPA Radler: Blended with grapefruit soda, Day Time's natural citrus notes create a seamless, low-ABV radler.

Best For

• Afternoon barbecues and cookouts where you want hop flavor across multiple rounds
• Weeknight drinking when a full-strength IPA feels like too much
• Introducing non-craft drinkers to the IPA style at an approachable ABV
• Stocking a cooler for a long tailgate or outdoor event

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Day Time IPA taste like? Day Time IPA is citrus-forward and dry, with prominent grapefruit, lemon zest, and tropical fruit flavors over a lightly biscuity malt base. It finishes clean and moderately bitter with a hint of pine.

How does Day Time IPA compare to Founders All Day IPA? Both are leading session IPAs at similar ABVs (Day Time at 4.0%, All Day at 4.7%), but Day Time skews drier and more tropically hopped thanks to its Citra-driven recipe and unique drying process. All Day IPA tends toward a slightly maltier, more balanced profile with a touch more body from the higher ABV.

Is Day Time IPA good for beginners? Yes — its low 4.0% ABV and clean, citrusy flavor profile make it one of the most approachable session IPAs available, with enough hop character to represent the IPA style faithfully.

Where is Day Time IPA made? Day Time IPA is brewed by Lagunitas Brewing Company, headquartered in Petaluma, California. Founded in 1993, Lagunitas also operates a second brewery in Chicago, Illinois, and is owned by Heineken International.

What foods pair well with Day Time IPA? Fish tacos with lime crema highlight the beer's citrus hop character. Grilled chicken with a cilantro-lime marinade complements its tropical notes. Sharp cheddar cheese contrasts the dry finish nicely. Light salads with citrus vinaigrette mirror the beer's brightness. Spicy Thai spring rolls are balanced by the clean, moderate bitterness.

What sizes does Day Time IPA come in? Day Time IPA is commonly available in 12 oz six-pack cans, the format reviewed here, and has also been sold in 12-pack cans and draft.

Is Day Time IPA worth the price? Day Time IPA positions as a mid-range session IPA that punches above its weight in hop complexity for the ABV. Its 97/100 score from Craft Beer & Brewing and broad critical recognition support strong value within the session IPA category.

Why Day Time IPA?

The specialized drying process that strips residual sugars sets Day Time apart from nearly every other session IPA — it drinks drier and cleaner than competitors at the same ABV, without sacrificing hop intensity. A 97/100 from Craft Beer & Brewing validates what the glass confirms: this is a technically accomplished beer. The combination of Citra and Centennial hops delivers a hop-forward experience that rivals full-strength IPAs, compressed into a 4.0% ABV package that respects your afternoon. In a crowded session IPA field, Day Time remains one of the few that genuinely tastes like an IPA rather than a diluted compromise.