Rhinegeist Cloud Harvest 6Pk

Rhinegeist Cloud Harvest 6Pk is a double dry hopped, unfiltered juicy IPA at 6.5% ABV, sold in a six-pack of 12 oz cans. Brewed with a four-hop blend of Galaxy, Citra, Sabro, and Cascade, this release earned an 88 score on BeerAdvocate, placing it in the "very good" tier for the style.

Quick Facts: ABV: 6.5%  |  Origin: Cincinnati, Ohio  |  Style: Unfiltered Juicy IPA (DDH)  |  Brewery: Rhinegeist Brewery

Production & Heritage

Rhinegeist Brewery was founded in 2013 in Cincinnati's historic Over-the-Rhine neighborhood — the name itself translates to "Ghost of the Rhine," a nod to the district's German brewing heritage. Cloud Harvest uses a grain bill of Pilsner malt, wheat, Carafoam, oats, and acidulated malt, producing a soft, full-bodied base ideal for carrying hop aromatics. The defining production technique is a primary hopping regimen: hops are introduced during active fermentation so yeast interacts directly with hop compounds, amplifying juicy tropical character. A second dry hop addition during cold-side production makes this a true DDH IPA, layering additional aroma without harsh bitterness.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Dank tropical fruit leads immediately — ripe mango and papaya give way to citrus peel and a resinous pine undertone. A faint wheat-cereal sweetness rounds out the nose without competing with the hops.

Taste: The entry is soft and rounded, with the oat and wheat base providing a pillowy mouthfeel before a mid-palate wave of grapefruit and lemon peel arrives. Tropical fruit-peel spice surfaces toward the peak, but the balance keeps sweetness in check — this drinks noticeably crisper than many hazy IPAs at the same ABV.

Finish: Medium in length with a clean, dry close that avoids the sticky residual sugar common in the style. Lingering notes of citrus rind and a mild herbal bitterness encourage the next sip.

How to Drink Cloud Harvest

Serve cold — 40–45°F is the sweet spot — in a tulip glass or standard pint to let the hop aromatics open up. Pouring into a glass rather than drinking from the can reveals the full tropical nose and the beer's characteristic haze. For a refreshing warm-weather twist, a Citrus Shandy (half Cloud Harvest, half fresh lemonade) plays off the existing grapefruit and lemon notes. A Tropical Radler with passionfruit or guava juice amplifies the Galaxy and Sabro hop character. A Hop-Forward Michelada built with lime, hot sauce, and a salted rim creates a savory counterpoint to the beer's fruit-forward profile.

Best For

• Bringing to a summer cookout or backyard gathering where approachable craft beer is welcome
• Introducing a friend to hazy IPAs without overwhelming bitterness
• Pairing with a casual weeknight taco or pizza night
• Stocking a fridge for watching game day with something a step above macro lager

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Cloud Harvest taste like? Cloud Harvest delivers tropical fruit and citrus-peel flavors — primarily grapefruit and lemon — supported by a soft, full body from oats and wheat, finishing cleaner and crisper than many juicy IPAs.

How does Cloud Harvest compare to Sierra Nevada Hazy Little Thing? Both are widely available hazy IPAs, but Cloud Harvest uses a four-hop DDH process and a heavier oat-and-wheat grain bill, resulting in a richer mouthfeel and more pronounced tropical character, while Hazy Little Thing (6.7% ABV) leans slightly more toward straightforward citrus with a lighter body.

Is Cloud Harvest good for someone new to IPAs? Yes — the unfiltered, juicy style emphasizes fruit flavor over aggressive bitterness, and at 6.5% ABV it remains sessionable enough for drinkers transitioning from lighter styles.

Where is Cloud Harvest made? Cloud Harvest is brewed at Rhinegeist Brewery in the Over-the-Rhine neighborhood of Cincinnati, Ohio, a district with deep roots in American brewing history dating back to the 19th century.

What foods pair well with Cloud Harvest? Fish tacos with mango salsa mirror the tropical hop notes. A sharp cheddar or pepper jack grilled cheese benefits from the beer's citrus cut. Spicy Thai green curry is tempered by the soft malt body. Grilled shrimp with lime complements the Cascade and Citra character. Lemon-dressed arugula salad echoes the beer's citrus finish.

What sizes does Cloud Harvest come in? Cloud Harvest is available as a six-pack of 12 oz cans, which is the standard retail format for this release.

Is Cloud Harvest worth the price? Cloud Harvest positions as a mid-range craft IPA — competitively priced against other DDH hazy IPAs from regional breweries — and the four-hop bill and double dry hop process deliver complexity that justifies its place in the tier.

Why Cloud Harvest?

The double dry hop regimen — especially the primary hopping step during active fermentation — is a deliberate production choice that separates Cloud Harvest from single-hopped or conventionally dry hopped hazy IPAs. That technique, combined with a grain bill built around oats, wheat, and Carafoam for body and head retention, produces a beer that drinks rich yet finishes clean. The Galaxy, Citra, Sabro, and Cascade hop combination covers a wide aromatic spectrum from stone fruit to citrus to coconut-adjacent tropical notes. For drinkers who find many haze-forward IPAs cloyingly sweet or one-dimensional, Cloud Harvest's crisp finish and balanced bitterness make it a standout in a crowded category.