pFriem debuts new year-round Tropical Hazy IPA in 12oz Cans/6-Packs
Building on the success of pFriem’s fast-growing Hazy IPA, Tropical Hazy IPA turns up the tropical flavor experience
From their homebase in Hood River, Oregon pFriem Family Brewers is among the elite few pacific northwest breweries still in expansion mode while remaining wholly independent. The latest, teased in their 2026 beer release calendar, is another core year-round beer. With the addition of Tropical Hazy IPA on draft, in 12oz cans and 6-packs, pFriem now boasts 9 year-round flavors following the 2023 addition of West Coast IPA and most recently Japanese Lager in silver 16oz cans in October 2025.
In a New School Beer + Cider exclusive interview, pFriem founder Josh Pfriem discusses the expanding lineup of packaged beers and how they are trying to reach a new audience: “We're probably one of the, if not the largest breweries in the US that only makes beer. So we have a pretty tight, narrow beer offering. And so wanted to play around something a little bit more youthful, a little more fun,” says Josh Pfriem.
Fruit-forward and tropical flavors continue to be among the biggest growing flavors profiles in craft beer and beyond which is reflected in everything from hard cider and hard seltzer to non-alcoholic soda pop and flavored spirits. The evolution follows a slight pullback on the dessert and pastry-inspired flavors that were all the rage 5 years or so ago and into a more balanced but still slightly sweet and flavorful profile that is less novelty and more drinkability.
“If you had told me five or six years ago that in 2026 one of our faster growing brands would be hazy IPA I would have been pretty surprised,” says Pfriem. For the new Tropical Hazy IPA he says “We wanted to create something that we're excited about, but that could be youthful, very tropical forward. We've had a lot of fun with our foray in our tasting rooms with cocktails and tiki fruit flavors and just the realm of fruit is different than it was even five years ago.”
pFriem believes their new Tropical Hazy IPA meets the desire for different nuanced fruit flavors while also championing innovation and easy-going drinkability across the entire brand portfolio.
Brewed at 6.3% ABV and 35 IBUs, Tropical Hazy IPA is built on a base of Rahr 2-Row Pale malt, To Thee Pilsner, flaked oats, and chit malt to create a soft, rounded mouthfeel. A hop blend of Citra and Krush Cryo drives saturated tropical aromatics, while a measured blend of Abstrax Skyfarm Passionfruit and Pineapple natural extracts helps preserve aroma intensity and consistency over its shelf life. The result is a hazy IPA that delivers notes of passion fruit, pineapple, and mango with restrained bitterness and a clean, refreshing finish.
Visually, the beer pours a vibrant golden hue with gentle haze and a persistent white foam. On the palate, tropical fruit character leads, supported by structure and drinkability designed for repeat pours rather than one-off novelty.
”I think we have two things happening right now: You have a lot of modern pushes in beer like this tropical, hazy, we're using new tools that we didn't have a couple years ago to find new expression flavors based upon modern palates that people are ready for now. But then also at the same time we are seeing a resurgence of some classic styles,” Josh Pfriem tells the New School in our full interview here.
The addition of Tropical Hazy IPA marks a measured evolution of pFriem’s core lineup, which includes award-winning styles such as Pilsner, Lager, and IPA. Instead of expanding broadly, the brewery views this release as a refinement of its long-term portfolio strategy. While pFriem Hazy IPA boasts ripe fruit and citrus flavors with a soft mouthfeel, Tropical Hazy IPA turns up the tropical notes gently balancing the candy-like flavors, while still drinking like a soft, full flavor beer for casual, social occasions.
“Core beers matter more than ever right now,” Pfriem adds. “They need to be relevant, evolving, dynamic, exciting, and built to last.”
From a production standpoint, Tropical Hazy IPA also reflects pFriem’s continued investment in efficiency and sustainability while enhancing quality and flavor. By utilizing concentrated Cryo hops and aroma extracts rather than traditional whole-fruit additions, pFriem is able to achieve expressive character and flavor while improving shelf stability, and building upon its employment of modern sustainable brewing practices.
Tropical Hazy IPA will be available beginning in February in 12-ounce six-packs at select retailers and on draft throughout Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and California, as well as at pFriem’s tasting rooms in Hood River and Milwaukie.
Where to Try Tropical Hazy IPA This February
To celebrate the release of Tropical Hazy IPA, pFriem is bringing the flavor to some of Oregon’s most iconic places, from tropical-themed bars and mountain slopes to our own taprooms in Hood River and Milwaukie. Here’s where you can be among the first to experience the beer:
Tropical Hazy Launch Parties - Oregon, Washington, Idaho
The Alibi, Portland OR | Tuesday, February 3rd | 7–10PM
Ratskeller, Government Camp OR | Friday, February 6th | 6–8PM
Matlack’s, Boise ID | Wednesday, February 11th | 5–7PM
The Handlebar, Boise ID | Thursday, February 12th | 7-9PM
Peaks & Pints, Tacoma WA | Thursday, February 12 | 5-8PM
Pegasus Pizza Campus, Eugene OR | Wednesday, February 18 | 6–8PM
Comet Tavern, Seattle WA | Friday, February 27th | 4–6PM
Mt. Bachelor OR | Friday, February 27th | 2–4PM
Sauna Festivaali – Winter Sauna Village
February 14–15 | Milwaukie, Oregon
Portland’s first-ever outdoor winter sauna village is the perfect place to sip a tropical IPA. pFriem will be pouring on-site during sauna sessions both days:
Saturday: 12PM–10PM
Sunday: 11AM–2PM
Just blocks away, our Milwaukie Tasting Room will also be pouring Tropical Hazy all weekend!
Click here for tickets and event info.
Peak to Palm at Mt. Hood Meadows
February 21–22 | 3-6pm | Mt. Hood Meadows Vertical
Escape to paradise at 5,000 feet. We’ll be up on the mountain serving Tropical Hazy alongside live music, giveaways, and après-ski fun.
Tasting Room Pairings – Hood River & Milwaukie
Available all month long | 11:30am-9:00pm | pFriem Hood River & Milwaukie
Visit pFriem’s Hood River or Milwaukie Tasting Rooms throughout February to enjoy Tropical Hazy IPA fresh from the source and paired with chef special menu item inspired by the beer’s bright, tropical profile.