The Bruery Or Xata 4Pk

The Bruery Or Xata 4Pk is a horchata-inspired American blonde ale from Orange County, California, packaged as a four-pack at 7.1% ABV. Scoring 89 on BeerAdvocate across nearly 1,000 ratings and holding a 3.9 on Untappd from over 38,000 check-ins, Or Xata has earned a loyal following among craft beer drinkers drawn to its dessert-forward personality and drinkable body.

Quick Facts: ABV: 7.1%  |  Origin: Orange County, California  |  Style: American Blonde Ale  |  Brewery: The Bruery

Production & Heritage

The Bruery was founded in 2008 in Placentia, California, by Patrick Rue, and quickly became known for inventive, boundary-pushing beers that draw on culinary traditions. Or Xata starts as a blonde ale base, then receives a heavy dosing of rice, cinnamon, and fresh vanilla beans, along with lactose to build a creamy, full mouthfeel that mirrors the texture of traditional Mexican horchata. The rice contributes a light, clean grain character and body, while the vanilla beans and cinnamon deliver the unmistakable flavor profile that sets this beer apart from conventional blonde ales.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Strong vanilla cream dominates the nose, followed by warm cinnamon spice and a backdrop of sweet, biscuity malt. There is a faint rice-grain softness underneath that keeps the aromatics from veering into cloying territory.

Taste: Vanilla and lactose sweetness lead on the entry, rich and immediately recognizable as horchata. The mid-palate brings rice-forward malt and a gentle yeast character, while cinnamon spice builds through the middle and takes hold as the primary flavor driver. A mild tartness from the blonde ale base provides balance, preventing the sweetness from overwhelming the palate.

Finish: Medium in length with a lingering cinnamon warmth and residual vanilla sweetness. The lactose rounds out the close, leaving a smooth, creamy impression that invites the next sip.

How to Drink Or Xata

Serve Or Xata cold, around 40–45°F, in a tulip glass or standard pint to let the vanilla and cinnamon aromatics open up. It drinks well on its own as a dessert-adjacent beer.

• Beer Float: Pour over a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a horchata-themed float that amplifies the beer's existing vanilla and cinnamon notes.
• Michelada Dulce: Use Or Xata in place of a standard lager with a cinnamon-sugar rim and a squeeze of lime for a sweet twist on the classic.
• Shandy: Mix with fresh lemonade for a lighter, citrus-accented summer drink that tempers the lactose sweetness.

Best For

• Introducing non-beer drinkers to craft beer through a familiar, approachable flavor
• Pairing with weekend brunch or dessert courses
• Gifting to fans of creative, culinary-inspired craft ales
• Warm-weather gatherings where a flavorful but sessionable option stands out

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Or Xata taste like? Or Xata delivers a rich, creamy blend of vanilla, cinnamon, and sweet malt that closely mirrors the flavor of traditional horchata. Lactose adds body and smoothness, while a subtle tartness from the blonde ale base keeps it balanced.

How does Or Xata compare to Blue Moon Cinnamon Horchata Ale? Both beers draw on the horchata concept, but Or Xata uses fresh vanilla beans and lactose for a noticeably creamier, more dessert-like profile. Blue Moon's version relies on Belgian dark candy sugar and long grain rice for a lighter, drier take on the same inspiration.

Is Or Xata good for beginners? Or Xata is one of the more approachable craft beers available because its dominant flavors—vanilla, cinnamon, and sweetness—are familiar and easy to enjoy, even for people who typically avoid beer.

Where is Or Xata made? Or Xata is brewed by The Bruery in Placentia, Orange County, California. The Bruery has operated from this Southern California location since its founding in 2008.

What foods pair well with Or Xata? Churros or Mexican pastries mirror the beer's cinnamon-vanilla character. Tres leches cake echoes its creamy sweetness. Spicy carnitas tacos benefit from the lactose richness as a cooling contrast. A cheese plate with mild, creamy options like brie or queso fresco complements the soft malt base. Banana bread or cinnamon French toast make natural brunch partners.

What sizes does Or Xata come in? Or Xata is commonly available in four-packs of cans, which is the standard retail format from The Bruery for this release.

Is Or Xata worth the price? Or Xata positions as a mid-to-upper tier craft beer, and its unique use of fresh vanilla beans, rice, and lactose delivers a distinctive drinking experience that justifies the premium over standard blonde ales. The BeerAdvocate score of 89 and strong Untappd following reinforce its reputation as a standout in the horchata-inspired category.

Why Or Xata?

What separates Or Xata from the growing field of dessert-style and horchata-inspired beers is the specificity of its recipe—fresh vanilla beans, a generous rice addition, and lactose working in concert rather than relying on artificial flavorings or extracts. The result earned an 89 on BeerAdvocate and nearly 40,000 Untappd ratings, numbers that reflect genuine, sustained enthusiasm rather than hype. It manages to taste unmistakably like horchata while retaining enough blonde ale structure to function as a beer, not a milkshake. For drinkers who want something beyond the ordinary without sacrificing drinkability at 7.1% ABV, Or Xata occupies a rare and well-earned niche.