Lagunitas Beast of Both Worlds 6Pk

Lagunitas Beast of Both Worlds 6Pk is a double dry-hopped bi-coastal IPA from Lagunitas Brewing Company, sold in a 6-pack of 12 oz bottles at 8.0% ABV. Scoring 87 on BeerAdvocate, this hybrid style deliberately bridges the gap between hazy East Coast juice bombs and bitter West Coast IPAs — delivering tropical hop flavor with surprising clarity and a clean, dry finish.
Quick Facts: ABV: 8.0%  |  IBU: 48  |  Origin: Petaluma, California  |  Style: Bi-Coastal IPA  |  Brewery: Lagunitas Brewing Company
Production & Heritage
Lagunitas Brewing Company was founded in 1993 in Lagunitas, California, before relocating to Petaluma, and is now part of the Heineken International family. Beast of Both Worlds is double dry-hopped exclusively with Citra and Mosaic hops — two varieties prized for their intense tropical and citrus aromatics. What makes this beer unusual is that it pours clear rather than hazy, despite employing the generous dry-hopping technique typically associated with New England-style IPAs. Lagunitas calls the result a “bi-coastal IPA,” aiming to capture the juicy, fruit-forward character of the East Coast school while retaining the crisp, dry drinkability of a West Coast IPA.
Tasting Notes
Aroma: The nose opens with ripe mango and grapefruit, then builds into layers of pineapple, orange peel, and a thread of pine resin. It reads more tropical than piney, with the Mosaic and Citra hops doing the heavy lifting on the aromatic side.
Taste: The entry is surprisingly smooth for 8.0% ABV, leading with tangerine and mango sweetness on the front palate. At mid-palate, grapefruit pith and mixed tropical fruit notes add complexity without veering into cloying territory. A firm but restrained bitterness at 48 IBUs keeps the fruit in check without dominating.
Finish: Dry and clean, with lingering pine resin and a bright citrus zest that invites the next sip. The finish is notably lighter than many double IPAs at this ABV, avoiding the heavy, syrupy mouthfeel that can weigh down the style.
How to Drink Beast of Both Worlds
Serve cold — around 45°F — in a tulip glass or standard pint to let the aromatic hop oils open up fully. This beer is best consumed fresh, as hop character fades over time.
IPA Shandy: Mix half-and-half with fresh lemonade for a high-octane summer cooler where the tropical hops amplify the citrus base.
Michelada: The grapefruit-forward bitterness pairs well with tomato juice, hot sauce, and lime in a spicy beer cocktail.
Beer Float: The dry finish and tropical aromatics create an unexpected but rewarding contrast when paired with vanilla ice cream.
Best For
IPA drinkers who find hazy NEIPAs too heavy but want more tropical flavor than a classic West Coast
Backyard cookouts and grilling sessions where a bold but clean-finishing beer holds up to smoky food
Introducing a craft beer enthusiast to the emerging bi-coastal IPA hybrid style
Sharing a 6-pack during game day when sessionability at higher ABV matters
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Beast of Both Worlds taste like? Beast of Both Worlds delivers prominent tangerine, mango, and grapefruit flavors from its Citra and Mosaic dry-hopping, balanced by a backbone of pine resin and a dry, crisp finish that avoids the heavy mouthfeel of many double IPAs.
How does Beast of Both Worlds compare to Russian River Pliny the Elder? Both are hop-forward California double IPAs, but Pliny the Elder leans firmly West Coast with more pronounced pine and resinous bitterness, while Beast of Both Worlds incorporates juicier tropical fruit character and a softer bitterness profile at 48 IBUs. Pliny also pours slightly lighter and carries a higher level of critical acclaim as a benchmark for the style.
Is Beast of Both Worlds good for sipping? Yes — despite its 8.0% ABV, the dry finish and balanced bitterness make it surprisingly easy to drink on its own, though the alcohol does build over multiple glasses.
Where is Beast of Both Worlds made? Beast of Both Worlds is brewed by Lagunitas Brewing Company at their main facility in Petaluma, California, in Sonoma County’s southern edge.
What foods pair well with Beast of Both Worlds? Spicy tacos al pastor, where the tropical hop notes mirror the pineapple topping; sharp cheddar cheese, which contrasts the citrus bitterness; grilled shrimp with mango salsa for a complementary tropical pairing; Nashville hot chicken, where the dry finish cuts through the heat and fat; and fish and chips, where the hop bitterness plays the role of a lemon squeeze.
What sizes does Beast of Both Worlds come in? Beast of Both Worlds is commonly available in 6-packs of 12 oz bottles.
Is Beast of Both Worlds worth the price? Beast of Both Worlds positions as a mid-tier craft IPA — priced comparably to other Lagunitas offerings — and delivers strong value given its double dry-hopping, 8.0% ABV, and BeerAdvocate score of 87, making it competitive within the crowded double IPA segment.
Why Beast of Both Worlds?
The bi-coastal IPA concept is more than a marketing hook — it solves a real tension in the IPA world. Plenty of breweries make excellent hazy IPAs and excellent West Coast IPAs, but few have deliberately engineered a single beer to split the difference with this level of clarity and intention. The double dry-hopping with Citra and Mosaic delivers genuine tropical intensity without relying on the suspended yeast and protein haze that define the New England school. At 8.0% ABV with only 48 IBUs, Beast of Both Worlds hits harder than its smooth, clean body suggests — a useful trait for drinkers who want flavor density without palate fatigue.