Sierra Nevada Torpedo 12Pk

Sierra Nevada Torpedo Extra IPA 12 Pack is a 7.2% ABV American Extra IPA sold in a 12-pack of 12 oz bottles from Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. in Chico, California. Scoring a 92 on BeerAdvocate across nearly 12,000 ratings, Torpedo has established itself as one of the most respected hop-forward IPAs in American craft beer.

Quick Facts: ABV: 7.2%  |  IBU: 65  |  Origin: Chico, California  |  Style: Extra IPA  |  Brewery: Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.

Production & Heritage

Sierra Nevada Brewing Co., founded in 1980 by Ken Grossman and Paul Camusi, helped define the American craft beer movement from its home base in Chico, California. Torpedo gets its name and character from the brewery's custom-built "Hop Torpedo" device — a vessel packed with roughly 75 pounds of whole-cone hops, filled by hand using industrial tampers. Beer flows out of the fermenter, surges through the Hop Torpedo, and back into the tank, extracting intense hop oils and aromas without the harsh bitterness that conventional dry-hopping can produce. The grain bill relies on two-row pale malt and caramelized malt, while Citra, Crystal, and Magnum hops drive the aggressive hop profile.

Tasting Notes

Appearance: Translucent amber to deep reddish-gold with an off-white head and light lacing down the glass.

Aroma: Immediately hop-forward, opening with bright citrus peel and tropical fruit before shifting into resinous pine. A subtle bready malt sweetness lingers underneath, keeping the nose from becoming one-dimensional.

Taste: The entry hits with a rush of citrus and tropical fruit — grapefruit and mango are prominent — before a solid, bready malt backbone emerges at mid-palate. Pine resin and a measured bitterness build through the peak, held in check by the lightly sweet caramelized malt. At 65 IBUs, the bitterness is assertive but never abrasive.

Finish: Medium-long with a lingering resinous hop character and a clean, lightly bitter close. The malt dries out gradually, leaving a pleasant pine and citrus echo.

How to Drink Torpedo

Torpedo is best served chilled between 45–50°F in a tulip glass or standard pint to concentrate the hop aromatics. It drinks well straight from the bottle or can, but a proper pour rewards with a fuller aroma experience. For cocktails, try a Hop Shandy — half Torpedo, half fresh lemonade — where the citrus hops amplify the lemon. A Michelada built with Torpedo brings a piney, bitter edge that cuts through the tomato and lime. A Boilermaker paired alongside a pour of bourbon creates a classic contrast between the resinous hops and the whiskey's caramel sweetness.

Best For

• Stocking a fridge for weekend cookouts and barbecues
• Introducing someone to bold, hop-forward American IPAs
• Pairing with grilled meats, burgers, and spicy foods
• Gifting a craft beer enthusiast who values hop-driven intensity

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Torpedo taste like? Torpedo delivers explosive citrus and tropical fruit hop flavors layered over a smooth, bready malt backbone, finishing with resinous pine and moderate bitterness at 65 IBUs.

How does Torpedo compare to Dogfish Head 90 Minute IPA? Both are widely considered among the best strong American IPAs, but Torpedo leans toward brighter, more refreshing citrus and pine hop character, while 90 Minute IPA emphasizes a continuously hopped, more layered malt sweetness at a higher 9% ABV. Torpedo's lower alcohol and cleaner finish make it more sessionable by comparison.

Is Torpedo good for IPA beginners? Torpedo is a solid step up from standard IPAs — its malt backbone provides enough balance that the 65 IBUs and 7.2% ABV won't overwhelm someone ready to explore bolder hop character.

Where is Torpedo made? Torpedo is brewed by Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. at their original brewery in Chico, California, founded in 1980. Sierra Nevada also operates a second brewery in Mills River, North Carolina.

What foods pair well with Torpedo? Grilled burgers and sausages complement the resinous hop bitterness. Spicy Thai or Mexican dishes are tempered by the malt sweetness. Sharp cheddar cheese echoes the beer's caramel malt notes. Fish tacos with citrus slaw mirror Torpedo's bright citrus hop character. Pepperoni pizza stands up to the assertive bitterness without being overwhelmed.

What sizes does Torpedo come in? The 12-pack contains twelve 12 oz bottles; Torpedo is also commonly available in six-packs and single 12 oz bottles or cans depending on market availability.

Is Torpedo worth the price? Torpedo positions as a mid-range craft IPA — competitively priced against comparable 7%+ ABV IPAs from national craft breweries while delivering a level of hop complexity, thanks to the proprietary Hop Torpedo process, that justifies its place in the category.

Why Torpedo?

The proprietary Hop Torpedo device is not a marketing gimmick — it fundamentally changes how hop oils are extracted, producing a cleaner, more aromatic dry-hop character than conventional methods. That distinction shows up in the glass: Torpedo consistently delivers intense citrus and pine aromatics without the harsh vegetal bite that plagues many aggressively hopped IPAs. A 92 rating on BeerAdvocate from nearly 12,000 reviews reflects sustained drinker approval over more than a decade, not a flash-in-the-pan hype cycle. Among widely distributed American IPAs above 7% ABV, Torpedo remains one of the most reliable and well-constructed options available.