Sierra Nevada
Sierra Nevada Torpedo
A widely available West Coast-leaning American IPA, resinous and firmly bitter, named for the dry-hopping vessel developed to make it.
- Strength
- 7.2% ABV
- Style
- American IPA
- Brewery
- Sierra Nevada
An extra IPA built around a device the brewery developed for dry hopping under recirculation, which extracts aroma more efficiently than steeping hops in a tank. The equipment is the reason the beer exists.
Pine, citrus and a firm bitterness over a caramel malt base. It is a more traditionally West Coast beer than the brewery's pale ale, and considerably stronger.
What it tastes like
Inherited from American IPA, because this beer sits within the normal range for it. BeerHQ’s comparative scale, not a measurement.
Why BeerHQ carries this beer
| Reason | Carried as a reference example of its style |
|---|---|
| Strength | 7.2% ABV — checked 2026-08-16. Strengths differ by market and change without announcement, so this is dated rather than absolute. |
| Record stability | Stable — this product has changed little and is not expected to. |
BeerHQ records no recipe, hop bill, malt bill, yeast strain, IBU or calorie figure for any commercial beer unless it is sourced. Nothing on this page is inferred from what the beer tastes like.
What is distinctive about it
- Named after the continuous dry-hopping device the brewery built for it
- A useful counterpoint to hazy IPA for anyone trying to work out which they prefer
If you like Sierra Nevada Torpedo
Worked out from what this beer actually tastes like rather than from what its style typically does. Three kinds of move, because “what should I try next” is three different questions.
Closest to it
Very similar in structure and flavour. Safe ground rather than discovery.
West Coast IPA — try Stone IPA
A close structural match for Sierra Nevada Torpedo — a likely fit if you want more of the same.
Different: slightly less bread & biscuit (low → none–trace).
May not suit: Very close to Sierra Nevada Torpedo; if you wanted a change, this is not it.
Session IPA — try Beavertown Neck Oil or Founders All Day IPA
A close structural match for Sierra Nevada Torpedo — a likely fit if you want more of the same.
Different: slightly less bread & biscuit (low → none–trace).
May not suit: Very close to Sierra Nevada Torpedo; if you wanted a change, this is not it.
Double IPA — try Pliny the Elder or Heady Topper
A close structural match for Sierra Nevada Torpedo — a likely fit if you want more of the same.
Different: slightly more alcohol warmth (trace–low → moderate–high).
May not suit: Very close to Sierra Nevada Torpedo; if you wanted a change, this is not it.
Similar, but different
Keeps what you probably like about it and changes one or two things. Usually the most useful answer.
American pale ale — try Sierra Nevada Pale Ale or Little Creatures Pale Ale
Keeps most of what Sierra Nevada Torpedo does and shifts tropical fruit.
Different: noticeably less tropical fruit (moderate–high → none–trace).
May not suit: Noticeably less tropical fruit than Sierra Nevada Torpedo.
Keeps most of what Sierra Nevada Torpedo does and shifts tropical fruit.
Different: noticeably less tropical fruit (moderate–high → none–trace).
May not suit: Noticeably less tropical fruit than Sierra Nevada Torpedo.
Keeps most of what Sierra Nevada Torpedo does and shifts tropical fruit.
Different: noticeably less tropical fruit (moderate–high → none–trace).
May not suit: Noticeably less tropical fruit than Sierra Nevada Torpedo.
A bigger jump
Genuinely different, but connected by something specific — the shared trait is named so you can judge whether the bridge holds.
British golden ale — try Oakham Citra or St Austell Tribute
Both carry real hop aroma, which is the thread to follow if that is what you like about Sierra Nevada Torpedo.
Different: noticeably less tropical fruit (moderate–high → none–trace).
May not suit: Noticeably less tropical fruit than Sierra Nevada Torpedo.
India pale lager — try Jack’s Abby Hoponius Union
Both carry real hop aroma, which is the thread to follow if that is what you like about Sierra Nevada Torpedo.
Different: noticeably less tropical fruit (moderate–high → none–trace).
May not suit: Noticeably less tropical fruit than Sierra Nevada Torpedo.
Czech premium pale lager — try Pilsner Urquell or Budweiser Budvar
Both carry real hop aroma, which is the thread to follow if that is what you like about Sierra Nevada Torpedo.
Different: much less citrus (high → none–trace).
May not suit: Noticeably less citrus than Sierra Nevada Torpedo.
Likely fits rather than promises. Taste varies, and a recommendation engine that claims certainty is claiming something it cannot know.
What to eat with it
Inherited from American IPA. BeerHQ does not duplicate pairings onto individual products unless the product genuinely differs from its style.
- Steak
Bitterness cuts the fat and the resinous hop character stands up to the char. A big beer for a big plate — the two are matched on intensity rather than on flavour.
- Tagine
Bitterness, carbonation and a dry finish scrub the fat off the palate, so each mouthful of food tastes as good as the first.
- Adobo
Bitterness, carbonation and a dry finish scrub the fat off the palate, so each mouthful of food tastes as good as the first.
- Beef stew
Bitterness, carbonation and a dry finish scrub the fat off the palate, so each mouthful of food tastes as good as the first.
Keeping it
American IPA shows best within 1–3 months of packaging. After that it declines in quality rather than becoming unsafe.
Drink fresh. Buy it as young as you can and drink it soon. What makes this beer worth drinking is the first thing to leave it.
Derived from American IPA. See storage and freshness for the full model.
BeerHQ carries a small set of reference beers to anchor styles, not a catalogue. There is no rating here and there will not be one. Last reviewed 2026-08-16.