Ska Brewing Brings West Coast IPA Back—With a Modern Hop Twist

Ska Brewing is stepping back into West Coast IPA territory—but they’re not just revisiting the past. They’re modernizing it.

Starting this week, Ska West Coast IPA is officially hitting shelves across multiple states, marking the Durango brewery’s bold return to a style that helped define American craft beer. The beer debuted over Super Bowl weekend at Ska’s World Headquarters in Colorado, and now it’s rolling out year-round on draft and in cans across Colorado, Arizona, Kansas, New Mexico, and Utah.

For those who have followed Ska Brewing over the years, this move feels both nostalgic and forward-thinking. Ska was home to Colorado’s OG canned IPA, Modus Hoperandi—a beer that embodied the original West Coast IPA vibe: dank aromatics, assertive bitterness, amber color, and a full-bodied backbone. That was the era of palate-wreckers and unapologetic IBUs.

But today’s West Coast IPA has evolved—and Ska’s new release reflects that shift.

Ska West Coast IPA leans into the modern interpretation of the style: lighter in color, crisp and clean, with moderate bitterness and big pine and citrus aromatics. According to Ska Brewing Production Manager Chris Kurr, the difference is in the hops—and more importantly, the hop technology.

This beer features a heavy-hitting lineup: Cryo Mosaic, Cryo Citra, Alora, Eureka, CGX Idaho 7, and Strata Hyperboost. These modern hop products weren’t even available two decades ago. The focus now is delivering bold citrus and pine character without the grassy or vegetal notes that were common in older versions of the style.

Flavor-wise, expect a dank punch layered with citrus, peach, and stone fruit notes, wrapped up in a smooth finish and approachable IBUs. It sounds like the kind of IPA that delivers intensity without fatigue—something that both longtime hop heads and newer IPA drinkers can appreciate.

And in true Ska fashion, it’s not just about what’s inside the can. The brewery, founded in 1995 with a punk rock and ska spirit, has always embraced personality and bold presentation. From Mexican Logger to Modus Hoperandi, Ska has never been shy about making a statement—and this new West Coast IPA appears to follow suit, right down to what they describe as a “bumpin’ can design.”

I haven’t had the chance to try this one yet, but based on the hop bill and the direction they’re taking, it’s definitely one I’ll be keeping an eye out for. It’s always interesting to see how legacy breweries reinterpret classic styles for today’s drinkers.

West Coast IPA never truly went away—but it has evolved. And it looks like Ska Brewing is ready to show how modern hops can meet classic roots.

If you’re in one of the distribution states, you might want to grab a can and see how this new chapter tastes for yourself.