Elysian Space Dust 19.2oz is a hop-forward West Coast IPA brewed at 8.2% ABV in a stovepipe can by Elysian Brewing Company in Seattle, Washington. Rated 91 ("Outstanding") by Beer Advocate and scoring 97 on RateBeer, Space Dust has become one of the most widely recognized IPAs in the American craft beer landscape since its debut in 2012. Quick Facts: ABV: 8.2% | Origin: Seattle, Washington | Style: West Coast IPA | IBU: 73 | Brewery: Elysian Brewing Company Production & Heritage Elysian Brewing Company was founded in 1996 in Seattle's Capitol Hill neighborhood by Dick Cantwell, David Buhler, and Joe Bisacca, and was acquired by Anheuser-Busch InBev in 2015. Space Dust originated in 2012 as a small taproom experiment that incorporated crushed hops — a technique that distinguishes it from IPAs relying solely on pellet or whole-leaf additions. The grain bill features Great Western premium two-row, C-15, and Dextri-Pils malts, while Chinook hops provide the bittering backbone and generous late and dry additions of Citra and Amarillo deliver the beer's signature tropical and citrus aromatics. Tasting Notes Aroma: The nose opens with a rush of juicy mango and ripe grapefruit, followed by layers of orange blossom, honeydew melon, and sticky pine resin. A faint biscuity malt sweetness anchors the hop-driven aromatics. Taste: The entry is initially sweet with caramel malt and tropical fruit — mango and orange dominate early. At mid-palate, assertive pine resin and citrus zest build steadily, guided by the 73 IBU bitterness that defines the West Coast IPA style. Grassy, herbal hop character weaves through the back end as the malt backbone holds everything in balance. Finish: Dry and lingering, with resinous pine bitterness that simmers well after each sip. A final flash of grapefruit pith keeps the finish clean and encourages the next drink. How to Drink Space Dust Space Dust is best poured into an IPA glass or tulip at around 45°F to let the hop aromatics fully open up; drinking straight from the 19.2oz can works but sacrifices much of the nose. The 8.2% ABV and bold hop profile also make it a strong base for beer cocktails: a Hop Shandy (mixed with fresh lemonade) tames the bitterness while amplifying the citrus character; a Michelada variation benefits from Space Dust's grapefruit notes cutting through the tomato and hot sauce; and a Beermosa with fresh-squeezed orange juice pairs naturally with the beer's mango and orange aromatics. Best For Backyard grilling sessions where bold hop flavor stands up to charred and smoky foods Introducing a curious drinker to full-bodied West Coast IPAs Grabbing a single-serve stovepipe can for game day or a concert Building a craft IPA tasting flight alongside other West Coast benchmarks Frequently Asked Questions What does Space Dust taste like? Space Dust leads with tropical mango and grapefruit sweetness before a firm, resinous pine bitterness takes over, finishing dry with lingering citrus pith. It strikes a classic West Coast IPA balance between caramel malt sweetness and assertive hop bitterness at 73 IBU. How does Space Dust compare to Pliny the Elder? Both are highly regarded West Coast IPAs, but Pliny the Elder from Russian River Brewing runs at 8.0% ABV and emphasizes a more balanced, layered hop complexity, while Space Dust leans harder into upfront tropical fruit aromatics from its Citra and Amarillo dry-hop additions. Pliny is significantly harder to find outside Northern California, whereas Space Dust's wide national distribution makes it far more accessible. Is Space Dust good for sipping on its own? Absolutely — the interplay of sweet malt and aggressive hop bitterness at 8.2% ABV makes Space Dust a satisfying standalone pour, especially when served slightly chilled in a proper glass. Just be mindful of the higher alcohol content compared to session-strength IPAs. Where is Space Dust made? Space Dust is brewed by Elysian Brewing Company in Seattle, Washington, a brewery founded in 1996 in the city's Capitol Hill neighborhood. Elysian has been owned by Anheuser-Busch InBev since 2015, which expanded the beer's national distribution. What foods pair well with Space Dust? Spicy Thai curries or pad Thai work well because the hop bitterness and tropical fruit cut through coconut milk richness. Grilled burgers with sharp cheddar complement the malt backbone. Fish tacos with mango salsa echo the beer's citrus-tropical profile. Blue cheese or gorgonzola creates a classic bitter-meets-pungent contrast. Citrus-glazed grilled chicken mirrors the Citra and Amarillo hop character. What sizes does Space Dust come in? Space Dust is available in 12oz six-packs, 12oz twelve-packs, and the 19.2oz stovepipe single-serve can featured here. Is Space Dust worth the price? Space Dust positions as a premium everyday IPA — it competes in the upper tier of widely distributed West Coast IPAs and delivers complexity and hop intensity that justify its price point against craft competitors with more limited availability. Why Space Dust? What began as a 2012 taproom experiment using crushed hops has become one of the most acclaimed and accessible West Coast IPAs in the country, earning a 91 from Beer Advocate and a 97 from RateBeer. The combination of Chinook bittering hops with late and dry additions of Citra and Amarillo delivers a hop profile that is simultaneously aggressive and drinkable — no small feat at 8.2% ABV. The 19.2oz stovepipe format gives drinkers a generous single-serve option that suits occasions where a standard 12oz can simply is not enough. In a crowded IPA market, Space Dust consistently earns its reputation through sheer flavor density and a production approach rooted in Elysian's experimental origins.
