Lagunitas Island Beats 6-Pack is a 5.0% ABV tropical American IPA sold in six-packs, engineered to deliver maximum hop fruit character with minimal bitterness. Lagunitas describes it as "the most least bitter brew" the brewery has ever produced, registering just 25 IBUs — a remarkably restrained figure for any IPA. Quick Facts: ABV: 5.0% | IBU: 25 | Origin: Petaluma, California | Style: Tropical American IPA | Brewery: Lagunitas Brewing Company Production & Heritage Lagunitas Brewing Company was founded in 1993 in Lagunitas, California, before relocating to Petaluma, where it remains headquartered. Island Beats was developed using what the brewery calls "the most tropical hops" sourced from Yakima Valley growers, specifically selected to release juice-forward aromatics rather than traditional IPA bitterness. The result is a beer that sits at just 25 IBUs — a fraction of what most IPAs deliver — while retaining the hop-forward identity Lagunitas is known for. Tasting Notes Aroma: Ripe pineapple leads, followed by waves of mango and passion fruit. The hop character reads as pure tropical fruit rather than resinous or piney. Taste: The first sip is smooth and almost creamy, with pineapple and mango dominating the entry. Mid-palate, lemon citrus emerges alongside passion fruit, while the hops contribute juiciness rather than any sharp bitterness. The body is light with mild carbonation, keeping the mouthfeel easy and approachable. Finish: Short and clean with lingering tropical fruit sweetness. There is virtually no bitter aftertaste — just a fading echo of mango and citrus peel. How to Drink Island Beats Island Beats drinks best cold, straight from the can or poured into a tulip glass to amplify the tropical aromatics. Its low bitterness and light body make it a strong candidate for beer cocktails as well. Michelada: The mango and pineapple notes complement lime juice and hot sauce without clashing with hop bitterness. Beer Margarita (Beergarita): Blended with frozen limeade and tequila, the tropical fruit character amplifies the citrus base. Shandy: Mixed with lemonade, Island Beats' passion fruit and pineapple create a layered, crushable warm-weather drink. Best For Introducing IPA-shy drinkers to hop-forward beer without the bitterness barrier Backyard cookouts and poolside sessions where easy-drinking weight matters Pairing with spicy food where a bitter IPA would overwhelm the palate Stocking a mixed cooler alongside heavier craft selections for variety Frequently Asked Questions What does Island Beats taste like? Island Beats tastes like freshly squeezed pineapple and mango with supporting notes of passion fruit and lemon, carried entirely by hops that deliver juice instead of bitterness. The body is light and the carbonation is mild, making it one of the most approachable IPAs on the market. How does Island Beats compare to Lagunitas DayTime IPA? DayTime IPA is a session IPA with more traditional hop bitterness and a drier finish, while Island Beats leans heavily into tropical fruit sweetness with just 25 IBUs. Island Beats is the softer, more fruit-forward option of the two Lagunitas session-weight offerings. Is Island Beats good for people who don't like bitter IPAs? Yes — at 25 IBUs, Island Beats was specifically designed to eliminate the bitterness that turns many drinkers away from the IPA category. The hops are chosen purely for their tropical fruit aromatics rather than their bittering potential. Where is Island Beats made? Island Beats is brewed by Lagunitas Brewing Company at their headquarters in Petaluma, California. Lagunitas was founded in 1993 and is one of the most recognized craft breweries in the United States. What foods pair well with Island Beats? Fish tacos with mango salsa echo the beer's tropical fruit character. Jerk chicken benefits from the low bitterness and fruity sweetness. Thai green curry finds a cooling counterpart in the light body. Grilled shrimp skewers match the citrus notes naturally. Coconut-based desserts like haupia pair well with the pineapple and passion fruit flavors. What sizes does Island Beats come in? Island Beats is commonly available in 6-packs of 12 oz cans, which is the standard retail format for this expression. Is Island Beats worth the price? Island Beats positions as a mainstream craft IPA, priced in line with other Lagunitas six-packs and comparable tropical IPAs. For drinkers seeking big tropical flavor without bitterness at a sessionable 5.0% ABV, it represents solid value in the crowded tropical IPA segment. Why Island Beats? What separates Island Beats from the flood of tropical IPAs is its commitment to eliminating bitterness entirely rather than just reducing it. At 25 IBUs, Lagunitas went further than most breweries are willing to go with an IPA label still on the can, using Yakima-sourced hops selected exclusively for their fruit-forward aromatic profile. The result is a beer that genuinely tastes like tropical fruit juice with a clean, crisp beer backbone — not a watered-down IPA chasing a trend. For anyone who has ever said "I'd love IPAs if they weren't so bitter," Island Beats is the most convincing answer Lagunitas has produced.
