pFriem Adds Tropical Hazy IPA to Core Lineup, Available February

pFriem Family Brewers in Hood River expanded its core portfolio with a Tropical Hazy IPA, a purpose-built, fruit-forward beer meant to complement the brewery’s existing Hazy IPA rather than replace it. The brewery announced the beer on January 27 and positioned it as a measured addition designed for drinkability and lasting tropical aromatics.

The new Tropical Hazy IPA clocks in at 6.3% ABV and about 35 IBUs. The malt bill is balanced for softness and body, using Rahr 2-Row Pale, To Thee Pilsner, flaked oats and chit malt to create a plush mouthfeel without excessive sweetness. The hop and aroma program leans on Citra and Krush Cryo hops for classic juicy and citrus notes, while Abstrax Skyfarm passionfruit and pineapple extracts are incorporated to preserve bright tropical aromatics over the beer’s shelf life.

That recipe mix signals a strategic approach to core lineup stability. Cryo hop products concentrate lupulin and reduce vegetative matter, helping retain hop aroma with lower grassy character. The use of fruit-forward Abstrax extracts addresses the common hazy IPA challenge of aroma fade in packaged beer, delivering a fresher tropical profile to six-packs and kegs further down the distribution chain.

Distribution will begin in February 2026. Tropical Hazy IPA will be available on draft and in six-packs in select Western states. pFriem also listed a series of launch events across Oregon, Washington and Idaho to support the roll-out and give drinkers early access on tap.

For taprooms, bars and retailers, Tropical Hazy IPA offers a mid-strength, hop-forward option that trades hop bite for aromatic punch and a softer mouthfeel, making it suitable for sessionable pours and pairing with lighter fare like shellfish, citrus-forward salads and spicy dishes. Homebrewers watching brewery supply trends will note the recipe choices: the combination of flaked oats and chit malt for mouthfeel, plus cryo hops and concentrated extracts for aroma retention, represents a practical path to balancing haze, juiciness and shelf stability.

pFriem’s addition widens its core IPA offerings without displacing the original Hazy IPA, giving drinkers two distinct hazy profiles in the brewery’s year-round roster. Expect to see Tropical Hazy IPA on local draft lists and in six-packs starting in February; check pFriem’s event schedule for launch days in Oregon, Washington and Idaho if you want to taste it fresh from the source.