Sierra Nevada Torpedo 6Pk

Sierra Nevada Torpedo Extra IPA 6Pk is a 7.2% ABV American India Pale Ale from Sierra Nevada Brewing Co., sold in a six-pack of 12 oz bottles. This West Coast IPA rose to become the number one selling IPA in off-premise retail accounts according to IRI research, outpacing Stone IPA, Lagunitas IPA, and Dogfish Head 60 Minute IPA.

Quick Facts: ABV: 7.2%  |  IBUs: 65  |  Origin: California, USA  |  Style: American IPA  |  Brewery: Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.

Production & Heritage

Sierra Nevada Brewing Co., founded in 1980 by Ken Grossman in Chico, California, is one of the pioneering craft breweries in the United States. Torpedo Extra IPA gets its name — and its character — from the proprietary "Hop Torpedo" device, a stainless steel vessel packed by hand with roughly 75 pounds of whole-cone hops using industrial tampers. Beer flows out of a fermenter, surges through the Hop Torpedo, and returns to the tank, extracting massive hop oils and aromatics without the harsh vegetal notes traditional dry-hopping can sometimes produce. The grain bill features Two-Row Pale and Caramel malts, while the hop lineup includes Magnum, Crystal, and Citra varieties.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Citrus peel and pine resin hit first, followed by a wave of tropical fruit from the Citra hops. A subtle bready malt sweetness anchors the hop-forward nose.

Taste: Grapefruit dominates the entry, joined by resinous pine and a flash of tropical citrus at mid-palate. The Caramel malt provides a smooth, bready backbone that keeps the 65 IBUs from feeling abrasive. Despite its bold hop load, the beer drinks cleaner and more balanced than its bitterness level suggests.

Finish: A pleasantly dry close with lingering pine and citrus zest. Bitterness fades evenly, leaving a clean palate that invites the next sip.

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 stands on its own as a straightforward drinking IPA, but also works in beer-forward mixed drinks. A Hop Drop — Torpedo floated over a wheat beer — showcases its pine and citrus intensity. A Beergarita using Torpedo, lime juice, and a salted rim plays off the grapefruit notes. A Michelada built with Torpedo adds resinous depth to the classic tomato-lime framework.

Best For

• Backyard grilling sessions where bold hops stand up to charred and smoky foods
• Introducing a craft-curious friend to West Coast IPA style
• Stocking a game-day cooler with a step above macro lager
• Pairing with spicy takeout where bitterness and carbonation cut through heat

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Torpedo taste like? Torpedo delivers bold grapefruit and pine hop flavors supported by a smooth, bready malt body, finishing dry with 65 IBUs of balanced bitterness.

How does Torpedo compare to Stone IPA? Both are flagship West Coast IPAs, but Torpedo leans more toward citrus and tropical fruit from its Citra hops and whole-cone dry-hopping process, while Stone IPA tends to emphasize a sharper, more aggressive bitterness profile. Torpedo also sits slightly higher in ABV at 7.2% compared to Stone IPA's 6.9%.

Is Torpedo good for IPA beginners? Despite its 65 IBUs, the smooth caramel malt backbone and clean dry-hop character make Torpedo approachable for drinkers moving into the IPA category for the first time.

Where is Torpedo made? Torpedo is brewed by Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. in Chico, California, with additional production capacity at the brewery's facility in Mills River, North Carolina.

What foods pair well with Torpedo? Spicy buffalo wings benefit from the carbonation and bitterness cutting through the heat. Grilled burgers with sharp cheddar mirror the caramel malt backbone. Fish tacos with citrus slaw echo the grapefruit hop notes. A firm aged cheddar or Gruyère contrasts the pine resin character. Pepperoni pizza works well, as the hops slice through the fat and salt.

What sizes does Torpedo come in? Torpedo is widely available in 6-packs of 12 oz bottles, 12-packs, and single 19.2 oz stovepipe cans.

Is Torpedo worth the price? Torpedo positions as a mid-shelf craft IPA that consistently delivers hop intensity above its price tier, making it strong competition against more expensive single-batch IPAs with comparable or lower ABV.

Why Torpedo?

The proprietary Hop Torpedo device is the single biggest differentiator — no other major craft brewery uses this method of whole-cone hop extraction at production scale. That process delivers an unusually clean, aromatic hop character that avoids the grassy or vegetal off-notes sometimes found in conventionally dry-hopped IPAs. Its track record as the top-selling IPA in off-premise retail speaks to broad commercial appeal without sacrificing hop credibility. For a 7.2% ABV IPA with 65 IBUs, Torpedo hits a balance point that has kept it relevant since its 2009 launch in a category flooded with new releases every week.