Beer Review: Brix Factory Brewing – Lost In The Stratus Hazy IPA
Style: IPA – New England / Hazy
ABV: 6.5%
IBU: 30 (According to Untappd)
Brewery: Brix Factory Brewing (Oakland, CA)
Signature Beer: Lost In The Stratus is described as the brewery’s signature Hazy IPA.
The Brewer’s Notes
Brix Factory Brewing calls this beer a “showcase for a blend of the dankest, most tropical-forward Southern Hemisphere hops, and the most modern hops coming out of the Pacific Northwest.” They note flavor characteristics of berry, stone fruit, bright citrus, and “crushed indica.” The malt profile is light, adding just a bit of body.
Appearance: Poured from a 16oz can, Lost In The Stratus immediately shows its New England roots with a deep, cloudy haze. It presents a beautiful, opaque, golden-orange juice color—exactly what you want from the style. A thick, pillowy white head forms initially and settles into a lasting cap, leaving nice lacing down the glass.
Aroma: The nose is a tropical and dank explosion. The promised blend of Southern Hemisphere and Pacific Northwest hops is clearly evident. There’s a big wave of bright, zesty citrus—think sweet orange and lime—layered over a mellow, almost creamy mix of stone fruit like peach and apricot. The “crushed indica” note contributes a deep, herbal, and resinous dankness that gives the aroma a fantastic complexity and prevents it from becoming overly sweet.
Taste: The flavor closely follows the aroma, beginning with a juicy, fruity burst and concluding with a pleasant, earthy bitterness. The stone fruit and berry notes are dominant on the front palate, giving it a soft, fleshy character. This is quickly followed by the citrus zest, which keeps the sweetness in check. The lower-than-average IBU for a classic IPA at 30 means the bitterness is subtle, allowing the complex hop flavors to shine. The dank, herbal character in the finish is particularly enjoyable, giving the beer an appealing edge.
Mouthfeel:
This is where Lost In The Stratus excels. It has a medium body that feels appropriately dense for a Hazy IPA, thanks to a light yet present malt backbone. It’s exceptionally soft and silky on the tongue, with a low to moderate carbonation that makes it feel smooth and creamy. It finishes relatively dry, avoiding the cloying sweetness that can plague some Hazy IPAs, making it highly drinkable.
Brix Factory’s Lost In The Stratus is a fantastic representation of a modern Hazy IPA. It strikes a balance between the lush, tropical fruit character and a welcome dank, herbal complexity, making it satisfying for fans of both the “juicy” and the slightly more “old-school” New England styles. At 6.5% ABV, it’s crushable yet flavorful, making it a great choice for a sessionable craft beer with layers of hop depth. Highly recommended for those looking for a hazy that delivers on both tropical flavor and a hint of dankness.