Leinenkugel's Lemon Haze 12Pk

Leinenkugel's Lemon Haze 12Pk is a hazy IPA brewed in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, at 4.9% ABV and packaged in a 12-pack of 12 oz cans. As the first year-round, nationally distributed IPA from Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Company, Lemon Haze bridges the gap between the brewery's beloved lemon-forward beers and the modern hazy IPA category.

Quick Facts: ABV: 4.9%  |  Origin: Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, USA  |  Style: Hazy IPA  |  IBU: 40  |  Brewery: Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Company

Production & Heritage

Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Company was founded in 1867 in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, making it one of the oldest continuously operating breweries in the United States. Lemon Haze is brewed with a blend of pale and caramel malts, then both kettle-hopped and dry-hopped with a four-hop bill of Citra, Centennial, Cascade, and Hallertau. The combination of American and German hop varieties, along with the dry-hopping process, drives the citrus-forward character that distinguishes this beer from a standard hazy IPA while maintaining a restrained 40 IBU bitterness level.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: A moderate nose opens with bright lemon zest and light floral hop notes. Behind the citrus, subtle malt sweetness and a faint herbal quality from the Hallertau hops round out the bouquet.

Taste: The entry is soft and slightly malty, giving way to pronounced citrus flavors — lemon zest in particular — across the mid-palate. The four-hop blend delivers a juicy, fruit-forward quality that stays approachable rather than aggressively bitter, with the caramel malt providing a light sweetness to balance the hop presence.

Finish: Medium in length with a clean, moderately hoppy bitterness that lingers without overwhelming. A final flash of lemon zest keeps the finish refreshing and dry.

How to Drink Lemon Haze

Serve cold, ideally around 40–45°F, in a tulip glass or straight from the can. The haze is intentional and should not be filtered or over-chilled. Lemon Haze also works well as a base for beer cocktails: try a Shandy Radler by adding a splash of fresh lemonade to lean further into the citrus profile; mix it into a Michelada where the lemon character pairs naturally with lime juice, hot sauce, and Worcestershire; or use it in a Beer Margarita, inverting the can into a salt-rimmed glass of frozen margarita for a low-ABV summer drink.

Best For

• Backyard cookouts and warm-weather gatherings where sessionability matters
• Introducing hop-curious drinkers to the hazy IPA style at a gentle 4.9% ABV
• Stocking a year-round fridge option for fans of Leinenkugel's Summer Shandy who want more hop character
• Tailgates and sporting events where a flavorful but easy-drinking beer is essential

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Lemon Haze taste like? Lemon Haze delivers prominent lemon zest and citrus hop flavors over a slightly malty backbone, finishing with moderate hoppy bitterness at 40 IBU — approachable rather than aggressive for the hazy IPA style.

How does Lemon Haze compare to Leinenkugel's Summer Shandy? Summer Shandy is a wheat beer blended with lemonade flavor at 4.2% ABV, while Lemon Haze is a dry-hopped hazy IPA at 4.9% ABV with its citrus character derived from hops rather than added lemonade flavoring. Lemon Haze carries noticeably more hop bitterness and body, making it a step up in complexity for drinkers who enjoy Summer Shandy's lemon profile but want a more beer-forward experience.

Is Lemon Haze good for beginners? Yes — at 4.9% ABV and 40 IBU, it sits at the lower end of the IPA bitterness and alcohol spectrum, making it an accessible entry point for anyone curious about hazy IPAs without the intensity of higher-ABV examples.

Where is Lemon Haze made? Lemon Haze is brewed by the Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Company in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, a brewery founded in 1867 in the Chippewa River Valley.

What foods pair well with Lemon Haze? Grilled chicken or fish tacos benefit from the beer's lemon-citrus notes; spicy Thai dishes are tempered by the malt sweetness; a classic cheeseburger matches the moderate bitterness well; lemon-herb roasted vegetables mirror the hop aromatics; and light salads with citrus vinaigrette echo the beer's dominant flavor profile.

What sizes does Lemon Haze come in? Leinenkugel's Lemon Haze is widely available in a 12-pack of 12 oz cans, and may also be found in 6-packs depending on market availability.

Is Lemon Haze worth the price? Lemon Haze positions as a mainstream, everyday hazy IPA from a heritage American brewery — it sits in the value tier compared to craft microbrewery hazy IPAs, delivering solid citrus character and drinkability at an accessible price point for the style.

Why Lemon Haze?

As Leinenkugel's first year-round national IPA, Lemon Haze represents a deliberate move to bring the brewery's established lemon identity into the hazy IPA category. The four-hop dry-hopping process — combining Citra, Centennial, Cascade, and Hallertau — creates a citrus profile that's genuinely hop-derived rather than artificially flavored, a meaningful distinction in a crowded market of fruit-flavored beers. At 4.9% ABV and 40 IBU, it occupies a sessionable sweet spot that more intense hazy IPAs often overshoot. For drinkers who already gravitate toward Leinenkugel's Summer Shandy but want a year-round option with real hop complexity, Lemon Haze fills that gap with credibility rooted in the brewery's 150-plus years of Wisconsin brewing tradition.