What Is Midwest IPA?

The Midwest. A nice area of the country. Our home in all seasons (and we do mean alllll of them). We promise, one visit to Cleveland will prove that we have an underrated food and beer scene. And while coastal beer styles can sometimes feel a little snobbish, we like our beer like we like our people: Nice. Midwest Nice, to be exact. No two beers are quite as nice as our Midwest IPA and new Midwest Hazy IPA, both available year-round.   

Don’t worry, we already hear you, curious reader: “What’s a Midwest IPA, anyways?” Well, you’ve come to the right place to find out. While you won’t see the definition of Midwest IPA in style guidelines or beer history books, it’s a beer style that’s been lowkey thriving for decades, though you might not know it from its lack of coverage (sound familiar?)

Midwest IPA 12 oz. Can and logoed pint glass filled with the beer.

Like many things in our region, Midwest IPA is the best of both worlds: namely, the worlds of West Coast IPA and New England IPA. The former features a brilliantly clear appearance and lean body. However, the style often also bruises the palate with intense bitterness, which is a turn off for many beer drinkers. The latter boasts incredibly pungent hop aromatics and a much lower, more approachable bitterness. Yet, this style also has a hefty body that weighs down the palate and dampens drinkability. 

12 oz. Can of Midwest IPA in front of a filled pint glass and Midwest IPA 6-Pack.

True to its name, Midwest IPA meets right in the middle. Lighter body and pleasant clarity like West Coast IPA? Check. Lower bitterness with popping aromas like New England IPA? Check. This pleasant combination makes for a beer you can enjoy over and over again. A beer that will fit right in at just about any function with family or friends—you know they’re going to get along just fine. Approachable. Friendly. You know… nice. And that's exactly the kind of beer our brewing team sought to create. "Our goal for Midwest IPA is to make an IPA that embodies Midwest culture: friendly, enjoyable, no-nonsense, yet subtle," says Co-CEO Steven Pauwels.

19.2 oz. Can of Midwest IPA held up in front of the West Side Market on a clear, sunny day,

We take a modern approach to Midwest IPA. While there’s a touch of Cascade, the original American hop, the rest of the hop profile is all new school. We use a newer variety called Triumph late in the brewhouse to provide that gentle touch of bitterness, then load up the fermenter with Strata and Citra hops to deliver the blast of American hop flavor the modern IPA drinker loves, including notes of "citrus, peach, and bubblegum," per Pauwels. Honey Malt supplies just a kiss of underlying sweetness and a round, soft mouthfeel to keep bitterness in check while letting those hops shine. It’s all about balance. The result is "a straightforward Midwest IPA to enjoy every day," says Pauwels.

12 oz. Can Midwest Hazy IPA with the beer poured into a Midwest IPA logoed glass.

Although Midwest Hazy IPA naturally leans a bit more New England IPA than West Coast IPA, it still embodies the same “nice” character of its sibling beer. While wheat and oats give Midwest Hazy IPA a soft, pillowy mouthfeel, it isn’t as full or sweet as some New England IPAs. This gives Midwest Hazy IPA the drinkability and approachability that’s consistent with the Midwest mentality, while heaping additions of Azacca, Idaho 7, Strata, and Sabro hops after the boil deliver the tropical and stone fruit flavors expected from a Hazy IPA. Twice as nice!

12 oz. Cans of Midwest IPA and Midwest Hazy IPA making snow angels.

Because these IPAs are so darn likeable, we’re making sure it’s as easy as possible for you to meet them. Need to fill the fridge? Pick up a few 6-Packs (or a brand new Midwest IPA 12-Pack) while grocery shopping. Just looking to try a new beer tonight? Grab a 19.2 oz. can from the corner store. Need a playlist that pleases the lager lovers, fruit fanatics, and hopheads? The Great Lakes Mix Pack is the call. You can even hang out with the Midwest IPA family and their cousins (like the Vibacious Double IPA family and Small Batch Rotator IPA series) in the rotating Hop Madness IPA Variety Pack. And it's no shock that such an approachable IPA can pair with almost any food, from a hearty hot dish to good old kielbasa and pierogi (and, yes, grilled corn). No matter where you are or what you’re doing, these are your IPAs. That’s why we put the entire Great Lakes region right on the cans! 

Midwest IPA, the unofficial IPA of Midwest Nice, and Midwest Hazy IPA are available now everywhere our beer is sold. Use our Beer Finder to find some near you.

Words by Michael Williams
Pictures by Lily Switka, Vicki Campana, and Marissa DeSantis

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Questions? Email GLBCinfo@greatlakesbrewing.com for more information. 

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