Deschutes Fresh Squeezed 6Pk Cans is a citrus-driven American IPA from Deschutes Brewery in Bend, Oregon, packaged as six 12-oz cans at 6.4% ABV. This flagship IPA earned a tied-for-eighth ranking in Zymurgy magazine's "Best Beers in America" survey and landed on Draft Magazine's Top 25 Beers list in 2013, cementing its reputation as one of the Pacific Northwest's most recognized hop-forward ales.Quick Facts: ABV: 6.4% | IBU: 50 | Origin: Bend, Oregon, USA | Style: American IPA | Brewery: Deschutes BreweryProduction & HeritageDeschutes Brewery was founded in 1988 as a brewpub in downtown Bend, Oregon, and has since grown into one of the largest craft breweries in the United States. Fresh Squeezed IPA is built on a grain bill of premium two-row malt, Munich malt, and Crystal 75 malt, which provides a light caramel backbone to support the hop load. The hop bill centers on Citra and Mosaic varieties — responsible for the beer's signature citrus and tropical fruit burst — along with Nugget hops for clean bittering at 50 IBU. The result is a beer whose name doubles as a genuine flavor description.Tasting NotesAroma: Grapefruit peel and lemon zest hit first, followed by waves of mango and papaya. A subtle grassy, herbal note from the hop oils rounds out the nose.Taste: The entry is malt-forward with a light caramel sweetness that recalls a hoppy amber ale. Mid-palate, bright citrus takes over — grapefruit and lemon dominate — while tropical fruit flavors of papaya and mango weave through more subtly. Pine resin emerges near the peak, balancing the juicy fruit character.Finish: A grapefruit-bitter snap gives way to lingering sweet citrus and a faint malty warmth. The finish is medium in length with an oily, resinous hop texture that invites another sip.How to Drink Fresh Squeezed IPAFresh Squeezed is best served cold, around 45°F, poured into a tulip glass or an IPA glass to concentrate the hop aromatics. It drinks well straight from the can on a warm afternoon. For cocktail-adjacent serves, try a Hop Shandy by mixing it half-and-half with fresh lemonade, which amplifies the citrus character. A Michelada works surprisingly well here — the grapefruit bitterness pairs naturally with lime, hot sauce, and Tajín. A Hop-Forward Boilermaker alongside a pour of Oregon rye whiskey creates a bold pairing where the citrus hops cut through the grain spice.Best For Stocking the cooler for a Pacific Northwest-themed barbecue Introducing hop-curious friends to citrus-forward IPAs without overwhelming bitterness Pairing with spicy foods at a taco night or wing party Gifting a craft beer fan who appreciates classic West Coast hop profiles Frequently Asked QuestionsWhat does Fresh Squeezed IPA taste like? Fresh Squeezed IPA leads with bright grapefruit and lemon citrus over a light caramel malt base, followed by subtle tropical mango and papaya notes and a clean, resinous pine bitterness.How does Fresh Squeezed compare to Bell's Two Hearted Ale? Both are top-ranked American IPAs, but Fresh Squeezed leans heavily on citrus and tropical fruit from Citra and Mosaic hops, while Bell's Two Hearted uses 100% Centennial hops for a more floral and piney profile. Fresh Squeezed registers at 6.4% ABV and 50 IBU, whereas Two Hearted sits at 7% ABV and 55 IBU, making Fresh Squeezed the slightly lighter, more fruit-forward option.Is Fresh Squeezed IPA good for beginners? Its balanced malt backbone and fruit-forward hop character make it an approachable entry point for drinkers who are new to IPAs, as the bitterness is present but never harsh.Where is Fresh Squeezed IPA made? Fresh Squeezed IPA is brewed by Deschutes Brewery, headquartered in Bend, Oregon. The brewery was founded in 1988 and operates production facilities in the central Oregon high desert region.What foods pair well with Fresh Squeezed IPA? Fish tacos with citrus slaw mirror the beer's grapefruit notes. Spicy Thai green curry benefits from the hop bitterness as a palate cleanser. Sharp cheddar or pepper jack cheeses stand up to the hop intensity. Grilled chicken with a citrus marinade echoes the tropical fruit character. A classic cheeseburger with caramelized onions complements the malt sweetness.What sizes does Fresh Squeezed IPA come in? Fresh Squeezed is widely available in 6-packs of 12-oz cans, as well as 12-packs, and occasionally in single 19.2-oz stovepipe cans and draft.Is Fresh Squeezed IPA worth the price? Fresh Squeezed positions as a mid-tier craft IPA, priced in line with other nationally distributed flagships like Sierra Nevada Torpedo and Lagunitas IPA — strong value given its consistent quality and nationally recognized hop profile.Why Fresh Squeezed IPA?The specific marriage of Citra and Mosaic hops in this recipe delivers a citrus intensity that earned the beer its name — a distinction few IPAs can claim with such accuracy. Its recognition in Zymurgy's "Best Beers in America" and Draft Magazine's Top 25 reflects sustained quality across years of production, not a one-off seasonal experiment. At 6.4% ABV and 50 IBU, Fresh Squeezed occupies a sweet spot between session-weight drinkability and full-flavored IPA punch, making it one of the most reliably balanced citrus IPAs on the market. For drinkers who want hop-forward flavor without palate fatigue, this remains one of Oregon's strongest entries in the national craft conversation.
