Tröegs Blizzard of Hops IPA Returns

Tröegs Blizzard of Hops IPA Returns For 2026

Tröegs Blizzard of Hops IPA is back for winter, and if you live in Pennsylvania, there is a good chance this seasonal beer is already familiar. The Hershey brewery has been bringing Tröegs Blizzard of Hops IPA back for more than a decade, building a following for a winter IPA that doesn’t rely on heavy malt or holiday sweetness to make its point. It’s a hop beer for cold weather. The latest return keeps the familiar recipe intact while giving the can and bottle artwork a fresh look, with brighter blue and purple colors and lettering designed to stand out on crowded retail shelves.

The beer itself is built around Centennial, Chinook, El Dorado, and Galaxy hops, a combination Tröegs says brings notes of spruce tips, pineapple, and orange rind. That mix gives Blizzard of Hops a profile that sits between evergreen character and brighter tropical and citrus flavors, which is a pretty good fit for a winter seasonal that still wants to drink like an IPA. Pilsner malt and wheat provide the foundation, and at 6.4% ABV, Tröegs Blizzard of Hops IPA has enough strength to feel substantial without turning into a high-alcohol winter warmer.

A seasonal beer needs more than a clever name to stick around for a decade, and Blizzard of Hops has become one of Tröegs’ best-known winter releases, particularly in its home state. Brewmaster and co-founding brother John Trogner describes it as the brewery’s longest-running and most sought-after seasonal IPA, while the updated label comes from Tröegs designer Rachel Conville. The recipe celebrates hop growers around the world, but the appeal is much more immediate: a recognizable seasonal IPA with a mix of pine-like, fruity, and citrusy notes that works whether the weather is snowy or just cold and miserable.

Tröegs Blizzard of Hops IPA is available on draft and in 12-ounce bottles and cans at the Tröegs brewery and throughout its distribution footprint, and it will also appear in the winter edition of the Perpetual Exploration variety pack alongside Perpetual IPA, Graffiti Highway IPA, and Graffiti Highway Double IPA. For fans looking to track down the returning winter IPA, Tröegs has an online beer finder, and the full announcement below has the details on the seasonal release, its refreshed packaging, and the four-hop recipe behind this Pennsylvania winter favorite.

HERSHEY, PA – Tröegs Independent Brewing announces the return of Tröegs Blizzard of Hops IPA, its longest running and most sought-after seasonal IPA.

Since its debut more than a decade ago, the winter IPA has been a mainstay of the independent, family-owned brewery’s rotating seasonal series.

“Tröegs Blizzard of Hops IPA really has become a wildly popular winter seasonal for us, especially in our home state of Pennsylvania,” says Tröegs brewmaster and co-founding brother John Trogner.

This year, the familiar beer has received a fresh coat in anticipation of snow season.

“The glowing blue and purple colors really capture the spirit of winter,” says Tröegs’ Designer Rachel Conville of the updated label art. “And the bold font is much easier to read, making it stand out on beer shelves.”

Brewed as a tribute to hop growers around the world, Blizzard of Hops evokes notes of spruce tips, pineapple, and orange rind thanks to a combination of Centennial, Chinook, El Dorado, and Galaxy hops.

Built on a foundation of pilsner malt and wheat, this cold-weather favorite weighs in at 6.4% ABV.

“It’s the perfect beer to drink while you’re shoveling snow,” adds Trogner.

Blizzard of Hops is available on draft and in 12-oz bottles and cans at Tröegs and across its entire distribution footprint.

Blizzard of Hops precedes the release of Tröegs’ Perpetual Exploration seasonally rotating variety pack for winter. Featuring four hop-forward beers, the 12-pack features three cans each of Perpetual IPA, Graffiti Highway IPA, Blizzard of Hops Winter IPA, and Graffiti Highway Double IPA.

Beer drinkers can find these and other Tröegs beers near them using the Tröegs Brew Finder.

Related news from mybeerbuzz.com:
For more on Tröegs Independent Brewing and its rotating lineup of seasonal and hop-forward beers, check out our coverage of Tröegs Releases Field Study Summer IPA, Tröegs Adding Graffiti Highway Single Hop IPA and Graffiti Highway Downshift IPA, Tröegs Releases 2026 Nimble Giant Double IPA, Tröegs Oktoberfest Lager Returns, and Tröegs Releases Double Perpetual IPA. These stories cover the brewery’s seasonal releases, hop-focused recipes, and year-round IPA lineup, providing more background for fans following the return of Blizzard of Hops Winter IPA.

About Tröegs Independent Brewing

Tröegs Independent Brewing is a family-owned craft brewery based in Hershey, Pennsylvania, known for its hop-forward IPAs, seasonal craft beers, experimental brewing program, and strong connection to its home state. Founded in 1996 by brothers John and Chris Trogner, Tröegs has grown into one of Pennsylvania’s best-known independent breweries while maintaining a focus on creative recipes, quality ingredients, and beers designed to bring people together.

The brewery’s name reflects the family behind the business, and its approach combines established brewing styles with a willingness to experiment. Tröegs produces year-round beers, seasonal releases, limited annual offerings, and small-batch beers developed through its Scratch Series. That range allows the brewery to serve drinkers looking for familiar favorites while continuing to test new ingredients, hop combinations, and brewing techniques.

Tröegs and its Pennsylvania roots

Hershey has remained central to Tröegs’ identity. The brewery operates in central Pennsylvania, where it has developed a following through its beer lineup, brewery experiences, and connections with local communities. Its independent, family-owned structure gives the Trogner brothers and their team room to develop beers that reflect their interests and the tastes of their customers.

Tröegs has also built relationships with regional growers and producers, using locally sourced ingredients when they make sense for its recipes. The brewery has highlighted Pennsylvania-grown grains and other local ingredients in various beers, connecting its brewing program to the agricultural communities around it. Its focus on ingredient selection also extends to hops, which play a defining role in many of its most recognizable IPAs.

A lineup of year-round and seasonal craft beers

Tröegs Independent Brewing produces a broad selection of craft beer styles, with hop-forward ales playing a major role in its portfolio. Perpetual IPA is one of the brewery’s best-known year-round beers, while Graffiti Highway IPA gives drinkers another fruit-forward option. The brewery also makes beers such as Sunshine Pilsner and Troegenator Double Bock, showing that its range extends beyond IPA.

Seasonal releases are another important part of the Tröegs lineup. Beers such as Blizzard of Hops Winter IPA return during colder months, while other releases arrive in spring, summer, or fall. This rotating approach gives customers a reason to revisit the brewery’s portfolio throughout the year without abandoning familiar favorites.

Blizzard of Hops has become a particularly recognizable winter seasonal. Brewed with Centennial, Chinook, El Dorado, and Galaxy hops, the 6.4% ABV IPA features notes of spruce tips, pineapple, and orange rind, according to the brewery. Its combination of evergreen and fruit character provides a hop-driven alternative to heavier, maltier beers often associated with winter. The brewery’s refreshed packaging also helps distinguish the returning seasonal on retail shelves.

The Tröegs Scratch Series and brewing innovation

The Scratch Series is a central part of Tröegs’ brewing identity. This experimental program gives the brewing team room to explore new recipes, ingredients, and techniques in small batches. Some beers remain limited releases, while others provide a starting point for seasonal or year-round products.

The process allows Tröegs to test ideas before deciding whether they deserve a wider release. New hop combinations, malt bills, and brewing methods can be evaluated on a smaller scale, helping the team refine the final beer. The program has contributed to the development of beers that have become familiar names in the brewery’s portfolio.

Brewery experiences and distribution

Beyond packaged beer, Tröegs offers visitors a chance to experience its brewing operation in Hershey. Brewery tours, tasting opportunities, food, and seasonal events give guests a closer look at the people and processes behind the beer. The brewery has developed its visitor experience into another way for customers to connect with the Tröegs name and its Pennsylvania roots.

Tröegs distributes its beers across its established market footprint, with availability varying by product and location. Drinkers can use the brewery’s online beer finder to look for specific releases, including seasonal favorites such as Blizzard of Hops Winter IPA.

With its combination of independent ownership, experimental brewing, recognizable year-round beers, and returning seasonal releases, Tröegs Independent Brewing continues to maintain a distinct place in Pennsylvania craft beer. For current beer releases, brewery information, tours, and distribution details, visit the official Tröegs Independent Brewing website.

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