Wiseacre Ananda 6Pk

Wiseacre Ananda 6Pk is a hop-forward American IPA from Memphis, Tennessee, brewed at 6.2% ABV and sold in six-pack format. Scoring 86 ("Very Good") on BeerAdvocate across more than 450 ratings, Ananda has earned a loyal following for its aggressive dry-hopping balanced by a pillowy wheat body that keeps it remarkably drinkable at 75 IBUs.

Quick Facts: ABV: 6.2%  |  Origin: Memphis, Tennessee  |  Style: American IPA  |  IBU: 75  |  Brewery: Wiseacre Brewing Co.

Production & Heritage

Wiseacre Brewing Co. operates out of Memphis, Tennessee, and Ananda stands as one of the brewery's flagship releases. The grain bill combines American two-row malted barley, Best Caramel Malt Pils, flaked wheat, and malted Canadian wheat — a heavy wheat presence that builds the beer's signature velvety mouthfeel. On the hop side, Bravo handles bittering duties while Amarillo and Cascade are added in generous dry-hop additions, with Centennial layered in for aroma. The brewery itself describes the hopping as "a downright wasteful amount" of Cascade and Centennial, and fermentation relies on an English ale yeast strain that lets the hop character take center stage rather than producing competing ester notes.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Grapefruit rind leads immediately, followed by ripe mango and sweet melon. The Centennial and Cascade hops create a citrus-tropical bouquet that hits with real intensity before a subtle cereal grain backbone rounds things out.

Taste: The entry is smooth and creamy thanks to the wheat-heavy malt bill, which quickly gives way to a burst of mango and citrus hop flavor at mid-palate. Bitterness builds steadily but avoids the harsh, resinous edge common in IPAs at this IBU level. Rather than relying on residual malt sweetness to counterbalance the hops, the flaked and malted wheat provide textural softness that lets the hop flavors express themselves cleanly.

Finish: Firmly bitter and lingering, with grapefruit pith and a faint herbal quality from the Centennial hops. The wheat-driven creaminess carries through to the end, preventing any drying harshness.

How to Drink Ananda

Ananda is best served cold — around 45°F — in a tulip glass or standard pint to concentrate its aromatic hop oils. Pouring into a glass rather than drinking from the can makes a noticeable difference with a beer this hop-aromatic. For cocktail-adjacent options: use it in a Beer-garita (equal parts Ananda and frozen margarita) where the grapefruit hop character amplifies the citrus; try a Hop Shandy with fresh lemonade for a sessionable warm-weather drink that plays off the mango and melon notes; or build a Michelada where Ananda's bitterness and citrus intensity stand up well to lime, hot sauce, and Worcestershire.

Best For

• IPA drinkers looking for a wheat-softened take on a hop-forward style
• Introducing a craft beer newcomer to American IPAs without overwhelming bitterness
• Backyard cookouts and summer grilling sessions that call for a flavorful, balanced six-pack
• Gifting to someone exploring the Memphis craft beer scene

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Ananda taste like? Ananda delivers bold mango and grapefruit citrus hop flavors on a smooth, creamy wheat base, finishing with firm bitterness and a touch of herbal hop character. Despite its 75 IBUs, the heavy wheat bill keeps it from tasting aggressively bitter.

How does Ananda compare to Bell's Two Hearted Ale? Bell's Two Hearted relies exclusively on Centennial hops and comes in at 7% ABV, producing a more single-note, piney-citrus profile. Ananda uses a multi-hop blend (Bravo, Amarillo, Cascade, Centennial) and a heavier wheat malt bill at 6.2% ABV, resulting in a more tropical, texturally soft IPA.

Is Ananda good for sipping on its own? Ananda is very approachable for a 75-IBU IPA because the flaked and malted wheat smooth out the bitterness significantly, making it a strong choice for drinking on its own without food.

Where is Ananda made? Ananda is brewed by Wiseacre Brewing Co. in Memphis, Tennessee. The brewery produces and distributes across the Mid-South region.

What foods pair well with Ananda? Pulled pork barbecue, where the hop bitterness cuts through smoky fat; fish tacos with mango salsa, echoing the beer's tropical notes; sharp cheddar cheese, which contrasts the citrus hops; spicy Thai curry, where Ananda's wheat creaminess tempers the heat; and grilled shrimp with citrus glaze, complementing the grapefruit character.

What sizes does Ananda come in? Ananda is commonly available in six-pack format, which is the standard offering from Wiseacre Brewing Co. for this flagship IPA.

Is Ananda worth the price? Ananda positions as a solid craft IPA at a standard six-pack price point, and its BeerAdvocate score of 86 plus nearly 44,000 Untappd ratings suggest consistent quality that justifies its place among everyday-drinking IPAs.

Why Ananda?

What separates Ananda from the crowded American IPA field is its commitment to texture as a balancing mechanism. Where many IPAs lean on residual malt sweetness or lower IBUs to stay approachable, Wiseacre loads the grain bill with flaked and malted wheat and then pushes hop additions to borderline excessive levels — the result is a beer that hits 75 IBUs but drinks far softer. The multi-hop layering of Bravo, Amarillo, Cascade, and Centennial creates genuine complexity rather than a one-dimensional citrus blast. With an 86 on BeerAdvocate and nearly 44,000 ratings on Untappd confirming broad appeal, Ananda stands as one of Memphis's most recognized craft beers and a legitimate contender in the national IPA conversation.