Tower X (West Coast IPA)
Karl Strauss Brewing Company
- From:
- Karl Strauss Brewing Company
- California, United States
- Style:
- American IPA
Ranked #4,454 - ABV:
- 7.3%
- Score:
- 83
Ranked #33,669 - Avg:
- 3.66 | pDev: 12.84%
- Ratings:
- | reviews: 133
- Status:
- Active
- Rated:
- Nov 10, 2025
- Added:
- Mar 15, 2009
- Wants:
- 15
- Gots:
- 132
SCORE
83
Good
83
Good
This west coast-style IPA is both distinctly modern and reminiscent of days of yore. The name is not only a nod to our independent radio friends at 91X, but a reference to our origin story. (Back in ’89, Lifeguard Tower 10 in Mission Beach was the spot where we first decided to give this “brewery” thing a go!) The beer greets you with classic piney, resiny aromas, followed by a wave of fruity, citrusy hop flavors. Whether it’s a radio tower or a lifeguard tower, X marks the spot. 7.3% ABV, 60 IBU
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Reviewed by elNopalero from Michigan
3.91/5 rDev +6.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
3.91/5 rDev +6.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
A vigorous pour gives this throwback IPA a thick and creamy head. Upfront, there’s an almost sharp citrusy note, something akin to a tangerine or juiced Minneola. The sip follows with a mildly bitter finish.
Nov 10, 2025
Reviewed by AZgman from Arizona
4.21/5 rDev +15%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
4.21/5 rDev +15%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
It is exactly what it says on the label; piney, resiny, and crisp. It is quite heavily carbonated and produces a large and long lasting head. This is not your typical Westy due to it being unfiltered and using a non-typical (and extensive) hop combo.
Aug 25, 2025
Reviewed by ANIMOUL from California
4.31/5 rDev +17.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
4.31/5 rDev +17.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Poured from a 19.2 oz stovepipe into a pint glass; born on 11/22/24. Pours dull yellow with over two fingers of foamy head. Smell of sweet pine and light citrus rind with a taste that follows. Great bitterness and hops.
Mar 23, 2025
Rated by zest4itall from Georgia
4.61/5 rDev +26%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.75
4.61/5 rDev +26%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.75
Great citrus flavor, little bit dry, and nice lingering flavor of the hops...
Aug 01, 2024
Reviewed by Sabtos from Ohio
4.16/5 rDev +13.7%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
4.16/5 rDev +13.7%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Mostly clear pale yellow with a thin white head that quickly dies to a spotty surface.
Spicy cannabic evergreen resin meets light toasted cracker in a crisp body with a dry finish.
Solid.
Oct 06, 2023Spicy cannabic evergreen resin meets light toasted cracker in a crisp body with a dry finish.
Solid.
Reviewed by WillieThreebiers from Connecticut
3.77/5 rDev +3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
3.77/5 rDev +3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Pours a slightly hazy straw yellow with a finger and a half of foamy head that settles to a thick cap with strata of lacing. Aroma is pineapple and pine. Taste follows nose.
Apr 23, 2023
Reviewed by timon from California
4.02/5 rDev +9.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
4.02/5 rDev +9.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
I like the look of this one a lot. Lots of lacing and a hazy golden color. Smell is of melon and grapefruit and the taste follows, with the addition of some lemon rind flavor in there. Very well balanced between hops and malt. Drinkable for 99% of the population at 7% with minimal bitterness.
Feb 07, 2020
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