Rare Bird's Mixed Feelings IPA

Bottoms Up

By Craig Manning | April 26, 2025

The trend these days seems to be toward lighter and more sessionable beers—especially in the IPA space, and especially in the spring and summertime. While easy-drinking beers certainly have their place, though, we still love a big, boozy IPA, and Mixed Feelings, a brand-new beer from Rare Bird Brewpub, absolutely fits the bill. Flagged as an “experimental IPA,” Mixed Feelings is an explosion of big flavors, from a heavy dose of hops (the IBU count is 60) to pervasive notes of citrus fruit. We scooped a 32-ounce crowler from the cooler right inside Rare Bird’s front door, and the beer was the perfect complement to Rare Bird’s famous buffalo chicken sandwich. Tread carefully, though: at 8.14 percent alcohol by volume, this beer can sneak up on you fast! Drink up at 229 Lake Ave in Traverse City. rarebirdbrewpub.com