Leinenkugel's Lemon Haze 6Pk

Leinenkugel's Lemon Haze 6Pk is a hazy IPA from Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Company in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, brewed at 4.9% ABV and sold in six-packs of 12 oz cans. This release marks Leinenkugel's first year-round, nationally distributed IPA — a deliberate move that bridges the brewery's deep lemon and lemonade heritage with the modern hazy IPA category.

Quick Facts: ABV: 4.9%  |  Origin: Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin  |  Style: Hazy IPA  |  Brewery: Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Company (est. 1867)

Production & Heritage

Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Company was founded in 1867 in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, and now operates as a subsidiary of Molson Coors. Lemon Haze is built on a base of caramel and pale malts that lend a slightly sweet, biscuity backbone to an otherwise hop-driven beer. Four hop varieties — Citra, Centennial, Cascade, and Hallertau — are employed across the brew, with a dry-hopping step that amplifies aromatic citrus character without pushing bitterness to aggressive levels. The combination of three American hop varieties with the classic German Hallertau distinguishes Lemon Haze from many single-origin hazy IPAs, giving the beer a layered complexity that nods to both Old World and New World brewing traditions. It pours a hazy dark golden color, consistent with the unfiltered style.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with a pronounced burst of lemon zest that quickly reads as full-on fruity and tart. Behind the citrus, moderate kettle hop notes and a faint malty sweetness round out the aromatics.

Taste: On entry, juicy lemon flavors lead the charge, supported by a slightly malty mid-palate from the caramel and pale malt blend. As the beer develops across the tongue, balanced citrusy bitterness from the American and German hop combination emerges, keeping the sweetness in check. The moderate body gives the beer enough weight to feel substantial without becoming heavy.

Finish: The finish carries a measured hoppy bitterness typical of approachable IPAs, tapering off with lingering lemon peel and a clean, dry close. It avoids the aggressive, palate-scorching bitterness found in many West Coast–style IPAs, instead favoring a sessionable exit.

How to Drink Lemon Haze

Lemon Haze drinks well straight from the can or poured into a tulip glass at around 40–45°F, where the haze and aromatics are at their most expressive. Its citrus-forward profile and moderate ABV also make it a versatile cocktail and mixed-drink ingredient.

• Beer-arita: The lemon-forward character pairs naturally with lime juice and a salted rim, creating a citrus-layered riff on the classic margarita beer hybrid.
• Michelada: The hoppy bitterness and lemon zest cut through tomato juice, hot sauce, and Worcestershire, adding brightness that lighter lagers lack.
• Hop Shandy: Mix half Lemon Haze with half lemonade for a low-ABV patio drink that amplifies the beer's existing lemon DNA.

Best For

• Introducing IPA-curious drinkers to the hazy style without overwhelming bitterness
• Summer cookouts and outdoor gatherings where sessionability matters
• Pairing with grilled seafood or spicy tacos at a casual dinner
• Stocking a mixed fridge alongside lighter lagers for variety

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Lemon Haze taste like? Lemon Haze delivers a juicy lemon-forward flavor supported by a slightly malty backbone and moderate citrusy hop bitterness. It finishes clean and dry rather than aggressively bitter, making it one of the more approachable entries in the hazy IPA category.

How does Lemon Haze compare to Leinenkugel's Summer Shandy? Summer Shandy is a wheat beer blended with lemonade flavoring, resulting in a sweeter, lighter-bodied drink, while Lemon Haze is a dry-hopped hazy IPA with more pronounced hop bitterness and a fuller malt body at a comparable ABV. Reviewers frequently note a flavor kinship between the two, but Lemon Haze leans into hop character where Summer Shandy leans into sweetness.

Is Lemon Haze good for beginners? Yes — at 4.9% ABV with restrained bitterness, Lemon Haze was specifically designed as an approachable IPA rather than a high-intensity hop bomb. Its lemon-forward fruit character gives new IPA drinkers a familiar flavor anchor.

Where is Lemon Haze made? Lemon Haze is brewed by Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Company, headquartered in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, a brewery that has operated in the same city since 1867. Leinenkugel's is now part of the Molson Coors family of brands.

What foods pair well with Lemon Haze? Grilled shrimp or fish tacos benefit from the beer's citrus brightness cutting through charred and smoky flavors. Spicy Thai green curry is balanced by the malty sweetness and lemon character. Sharp cheddar or aged Gouda contrasts nicely with the hop bitterness. Fresh ceviche mirrors the lemon-forward profile, and classic pub-style fish and chips find a natural partner in the beer's moderate carbonation and clean finish.

What sizes does Lemon Haze come in? Leinenkugel's Lemon Haze is commonly available in a six-pack of 12 oz cans, which is the standard retail format for this year-round release.

Is Lemon Haze worth the price? Lemon Haze positions as a mainstream craft-adjacent IPA, priced competitively within the domestic specialty six-pack tier. For drinkers who enjoy Leinenkugel's lemon-flavored lineup but want more hop complexity, it represents a logical step up without moving into premium craft pricing.

Why Lemon Haze?

Leinenkugel's has spent decades building brand equity around lemon and citrus flavors — Summer Shandy alone made the brewery synonymous with warm-weather lemon beer. Lemon Haze converts that association into a year-round hazy IPA, backed by a four-hop recipe that blends American Citra, Centennial, and Cascade with German Hallertau for a layered citrus profile most single-hop hazies cannot replicate. At 4.9% ABV, it deliberately undercuts the typical 6–7% range of most hazy IPAs, prioritizing drinkability over potency. For anyone looking for an everyday IPA with genuine lemon character and without punishing bitterness, Lemon Haze fills a gap that few nationally distributed beers currently occupy.