Surly Furious 6Pk

Surly Furious 6Pk is a 6.7% ABV American IPA from Minneapolis, Minnesota, sold in a six-pack of 12 oz cans. Rated 95 on BeerAdvocate across more than 6,000 reviews, Furious has earned its reputation as one of the most respected IPAs in the Upper Midwest and a flagship that helped define Surly Brewing Company's identity since the brewery's founding.

Quick Facts: ABV: 6.7%  |  IBU: 99  |  Origin: Minneapolis, Minnesota  |  Style: American IPA  |  Brewery: Surly Brewing Company

Production & Heritage

Surly Brewing Company launched in Brooklyn Center, Minnesota, before relocating to its current destination brewery in Minneapolis. Furious builds its hop profile from five varieties — Warrior, Ahtanum, Cascade, Simcoe, and Amarillo — delivering aggressive bitterness at 99 IBU while remaining layered and drinkable. The malt bill is equally deliberate: 2-Row provides the base, while Golden Promise malt sourced from Scotland's family-owned Simpsons Malt — a specialty grain still produced in the tradition of hand-turned barley — adds a distinctive biscuity richness. Aromatic malt, Medium Crystal, and Roasted Barley round out the grain bill, contributing the deep amber-to-red color and chewy caramel backbone that distinguish Furious from hop-forward IPAs that lean entirely on bitterness.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Toasty caramel malt leads the nose, followed by layers of grapefruit citrus and resinous pine from the Simcoe and Cascade hops. A subtle roasted grain quality anchors the aroma and keeps it from reading as purely hop-driven.

Taste: The entry is thick and malt-forward, with chewy caramel sweetness giving way to bitter orange and piney hop resin at mid-palate. The full-bodied mouthfeel is surprisingly heavy for its ABV, and the hop bitterness builds steadily without overwhelming the malt structure. At peak, grapefruit pith and a touch of roasted barley create a balanced tension between sweet and bitter.

Finish: Long and resiny with lingering citrus peel and a dry, bitter snap that invites the next sip. The caramel malt fades slowly underneath, leaving a warm toasted-grain echo.

How to Drink Furious

Pour into a tulip glass or standard pint at around 45–50°F to open up the hop aromatics while keeping the malt backbone intact. Drinking straight from the can works in casual settings, though the complex nose rewards a proper pour. For a Hop Shandy, combine with fresh lemonade to tame the bitterness for warm-weather sessions. In a Boilermaker, pair a can alongside a pour of rye whiskey — the caramel malt and spicy rye complement each other naturally. A Michelada variation using Furious adds citrus hop character that meshes well with lime juice, hot sauce, and Worcestershire.

Best For

• Gifting a craft beer enthusiast who appreciates classic American IPAs
• Backyard grilling sessions where bold food needs an equally bold beer
• Introducing someone to malt-balanced IPAs beyond the haze craze
• Stocking a beer fridge with a reliable, highly rated flagship IPA

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Furious taste like? Furious delivers aggressive citrus and pine hop bitterness balanced by a thick, chewy caramel malt backbone with roasted barley undertones. It drinks heavier and maltier than many modern IPAs, with grapefruit, bitter orange, and resinous pine as dominant flavors.

How does Furious compare to Bell's Two Hearted Ale? Both are iconic American IPAs frequently discussed together, but Furious runs significantly more bitter at 99 IBU versus Two Hearted's 55 IBU and carries a heavier, more malt-forward body. Two Hearted relies on a single hop variety (Centennial) for a cleaner citrus character, while Furious layers five hop varieties over a more complex grain bill.

Is Furious good for sipping on its own? Absolutely — the malt complexity and layered hop profile make it a rewarding standalone pour, especially when served in a tulip glass at cellar temperature to let the aromatics develop fully.

Where is Furious made? Furious is brewed by Surly Brewing Company at their destination brewery in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Surly is one of the most recognized craft breweries in the Upper Midwest.

What foods pair well with Furious? Smoked brisket or pulled pork — the caramel malt complements smoky, fatty meat. Sharp cheddar cheese — its tang plays well against the hop bitterness. Spicy Thai curry — the citrus hops and malt sweetness balance chili heat. Grilled burgers with caramelized onions — mirroring the beer's own caramel and roasted notes. Dark chocolate brownies — the roasted barley and bitter hops echo cocoa's intensity.

What sizes does Furious come in? This listing is for the standard six-pack of 12 oz cans; Surly also produces Furious in single 16 oz cans and draft format at select locations.

Is Furious worth the price? Furious positions as a premium craft IPA that consistently outperforms its price tier in critical reception, holding a 95 on BeerAdvocate — a score that places it among the top-rated American IPAs regardless of cost.

Why Furious?

What separates Furious from the crowded American IPA field is the deliberate use of Golden Promise malt from Scotland's Simpsons Malt — a heritage grain that gives the beer a biscuity, full-bodied foundation rarely found in hop-forward styles. That malt backbone lets Surly push bitterness to 99 IBU without the beer becoming one-dimensional or astringent. A 95 score on BeerAdvocate across thousands of reviews confirms that this balance resonates with serious beer drinkers. In an era where many IPAs chase juice and haze, Furious remains a firmly bitter, malt-anchored classic that rewards attention and has held its ground for years.