Elated Winter IPA

Review Date 12/24/2025  By John Staradumsky

  Style: India Pale Ale   Brewery: Hi-Wire   Country: USA   State: North Carolina   $ Per OZ: $.15 (B)   ABV: 6.2%

Winter IPA! Is that a thing? I think it is, and well it should be. Actually, it’s been a thing in American craft beer for decades, and while you may think the original such beer is Sierra Nevada Celebration Ale, you would be incorrect. That honor goes to Anchor Liberty Ale, which debuted as the very first release of Anchor Our Special Ale.

Of late, this winter in fact, I have come across a few new “winter IPAs”, both local to me. The first was Creature Comforts Winter IPA, and the next is the beer I am here to talk about today, Hi-Wire Elated Winter IPA. It’s currently Christmas Eve and an unseasonal 70 degrees here in Georgia, and although the weather does not feel like winter, this beer certainly tastes like it.

To me, a winter IPA should feature resiny piney hops, calling forth mental images of a Christmas Tree. This beer does that. Hi-Wire says:

A balanced and hoppy ale perfect for snuggling up in front of the fire or getting outside on a snowy day. Celebrate the season with an India Pale Ale that doesn’t lack for pine and citrus peel notes from Michigan Chinook & Idaho 7 hops balanced by sticky caramel and toasted bread flavors from a carefully crafted malt bill.

Hi-Wire Elated Winter IPA has an alcohol content of 6.2% by volume according to my can, with 55 IBUs. It comes at a bargain price, too. I paid just $3.29 for a pint can at Total Wine, where they sell it for just $13.99 for a SIX_PACK of pint cans. You heard that right. Not a 4-pack. A 6-pack. My can is stamped 10/22/25 PKGD.

Hi-Wire Elated Winter IPA pours dark copper color with a thick fluffy rocky head of foam and a nose of fragrant piney hops. Taking a sip, the beer is light to medium in body, with just the lightest hint of caramel. It’s toasty bready too but immediately super hoppy with resiny pine and an intense long dry bitter finish. Screams resiny piney hops and long dry lingering bitterness, which I love.

This woody delight is like a Christmas tree in a glass, and I would be elated to drink it again. It’s a delightful classic West Coast IPA, and at a bargain price. Don’t miss it.

Glad I tried it?  T

Would I rebuy it??