Red Hook Long Hammer IPA 4Pk Cans

Red Hook Long Hammer IPA 4Pk Cans is a 6.2% ABV American IPA from Redhook Ale Brewery, sold as four 12 oz cans and dry-hopped with Cascade hops. Originally one of the Pacific Northwest's early craft IPAs, Long Hammer remains a touchstone for approachable, hop-forward brewing that favors balance over brute bitterness.

Quick Facts: ABV: 6.2%  |  Origin: Seattle, Washington, USA  |  Style: American IPA  |  Brewery: Redhook Ale Brewery

Production & Heritage

Redhook Ale Brewery was founded in 1981 by Paul Shipman and Gordon Bowker in Seattle, Washington, making it one of the pioneering craft breweries of the American Northwest. Long Hammer IPA is brewed with a generous addition of Cascade hops during the boil, then dry-hopped at the end of fermentation — a technique that amplifies hop aroma without adding extra bitterness to the finished beer. Production has historically taken place at facilities in both Washington and New Hampshire, giving Redhook national distribution reach while maintaining its Pacific Northwest identity.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Pine resin leads immediately, followed by floral citrus and pink grapefruit zest. A subtle caramel malt sweetness rounds out the nose beneath the hop oils.

Taste: The entry is bright and citrus-driven, with grapefruit and orange peel hitting the front of the palate. Mid-palate brings earthy, piney hop character balanced by a moderate caramel malt backbone. Bitterness is present but restrained, landing squarely in the moderate range rather than overwhelming the malt.

Finish: Clean and relatively crisp, with lingering pine and a dry, floral bitterness that fades steadily. The finish is one of the beer's defining traits — it doesn't cling or turn astringent, which keeps it highly drinkable for the style.

How to Drink Long Hammer IPA

Pour into a pint glass or tulip glass at around 45–50°F to let the Cascade hop aromatics open up fully. Drinking straight from the can works for casual settings, but a pour releases significantly more of the pine and citrus nose. A classic IPA and burger pairing lets the hop bitterness cut through richness. For a simple beer cocktail, try a Shandy with fresh lemonade, which amplifies the grapefruit character. A Michelada built with Long Hammer brings an interesting piney twist to the usual lime-and-hot-sauce formula.

Best For

• Backyard grilling sessions where you want a hop-forward but sessionable IPA
• Introducing friends to craft IPA without the palate shock of a double IPA
• Stocking a cooler for tailgating or outdoor events
• Pairing with bold, spicy, or smoked foods that stand up to hop bitterness

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Long Hammer IPA taste like? Long Hammer IPA delivers pine, grapefruit, and floral citrus hop flavors supported by a caramel malt backbone, finishing clean and moderately bitter rather than aggressively hopped.

How does Long Hammer IPA compare to Sierra Nevada Pale Ale? Both are foundational American hop-forward beers built on Cascade hops, but Long Hammer runs higher in ABV at 6.2% versus Sierra Nevada Pale Ale's 5.6% and leans more into piney, resinous character than Sierra Nevada's brighter, more purely citrus-forward profile. Sierra Nevada is technically a pale ale rather than an IPA, so Long Hammer carries noticeably more hop presence and bitterness.

Is Long Hammer IPA good for IPA beginners? Yes — its moderate bitterness and clean finish make it one of the more approachable American IPAs, particularly for drinkers transitioning from pale ales or amber ales into hoppier territory.

Where is Long Hammer IPA made? Long Hammer IPA is brewed by Redhook Ale Brewery, founded in 1981 in Seattle, Washington, with production historically split between facilities in Washington state and New Hampshire.

What foods pair well with Long Hammer IPA? Grilled burgers or bratwurst complement the piney bitterness; fish tacos with citrus slaw echo the grapefruit hop notes; sharp cheddar cheese stands up to the malt-hop balance; spicy Thai or Indian curries are tempered by the moderate carbonation; and smoked brisket pairs well with the earthy, resinous hop character.

What sizes does Long Hammer IPA come in? This product is packaged as a 4-pack of 12 oz cans, which is the standard offering for this expression.

Is Long Hammer IPA worth the price? Long Hammer positions as an accessible, everyday craft IPA — it sits in the value tier of the American IPA category, making it a reliable choice for regular drinking without the premium pricing of limited-release or haze-forward IPAs.

Why Long Hammer IPA?

Long Hammer's defining move is its dry-hopping with Cascade hops at the end of fermentation, a step that loads the beer with aromatic hop oils while keeping bitterness in check. That technique was far less common when Redhook began brewing in the early 1980s, and it helped establish the template for what a drinkable Northwest IPA could be. With over 156,000 ratings on Untappd averaging 3.5 out of 5, Long Hammer has proven staying power in a category now crowded with hazier, juicier alternatives. For drinkers who appreciate the classic West Coast IPA approach — clear, piney, balanced, and built for repeat pours — this remains a benchmark.