In a move that stunned craft beer lovers, President Trump has announced that he will be signing an executive order today banning the sale, production, and distribution of India Pale Ales (IPAs) across the United States.

A Nation Blindsided

Calling the beer- style “inherently un-American” and citing today’s “polarized political climate that doesn’t need any more bitterness,” Trump’s announcement has sparked outrage throughout the craft beer community.

“West Coast IPAs are just too bitter,” President Trump, who ironically abstains from alcohol, said in his announcement. “And this whole Hazy IPA thing, is equally inexcusable, it’s like nothing we’ve ever seen.”

“We’re bringing American beer back to the people. A beer should be smooth, it should be drinkable. Not this nonsense where you take a sip and feel like you just licked a stamp,” he said during a press conference at his Mar-a-Lago resort.

“Frankly, it’s a disgrace and the American people deserve better. Something classic. Something tremendous—like a Bud Light, which I’ve finally forgiven after that whole Dylan Mulvaney trans thing.”

The DAJ

To facilitate this transition Trump has created  a new agency, The Department of Alcoholic Justice, or DAJ, and he has appointed Kid Rock to oversee it.

The new Federal agency, which was created last week as one of his non-stop executive orders, has already outlined a detailed list of reasons for the ban, which include:

• “Just too Bitter” – Administration officials argue that these IPAs have far exceeded the acceptable bitterness levels for the average American palate, especially given today’s divisive political landscape.
• “Confusing Names for Confusing Times” – With styles like Hazy, West Coast, Double, and Triple, the administration believes that the India Pale Ale has simply “gone too far.” “This is not what America voted for,” Trump said in his announcement, “Americans are more comfortable with straight-forward American directions, not something from India.”
• “Angry Democrats “Drinking to Forget”” – Reports suggest that IPA drinkers are largely democrats, who are belligerently dealing with President Trump’s reelection by “drinking to forget” and what they’re drinking are IPAs, non-stop IPAs.

Backlash Brewing

(Courtesy Fulton County Sheriff’s Dept)

While some domestic beer giants like Anheuser-Busch and Molson Coors have reportedly welcomed the move, others in the craft brewing industry are furious….

“This is what losing our freedoms is all about,” said Chad Stevenson, owner of Hopocalypse Brewing  in Portland, Oregon. “Hey I’m as sick of the Hazy IPA phenomenon as anyone, but the West Coast IPA, really? What’s next? Session IPAs? Double IPAs? This is dangerous stuff and hopheads will take to the streets.”

What’s Next?

The ban, scheduled to take effect on June 1, 2025, has left breweries scrambling to adjust their tap lists. Some are pivoting to maltier, less hop-forward styles like lagers and amber ales, while others are planning underground “Hop-easies” to keep their IPA addicted clientele sated.

“Making drugs illegal, only moved drug users further underground, said Tom Bobak Founder & Editor at American Craft Beer. “ If Trump does the unthinkable, if he bans the IPA, the backlash will be enormous and consequential. And I wouldn’t be surprised if Mexican cartels didn’t step in almost immediately and start moving black-market IPAs north.”

And you can read President Trump’s full announcement HERE.

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