About This Beer
Vocation Life & Death Classic IPA 6.5% is a bold, full-bodied India Pale Ale from Vocation Brewery in West Yorkshire, England.
One of the brewery's signature beers, Life & Death showcases everything that makes a classic, American-inspired IPA so enjoyable: expressive hop aromas, vibrant citrus and tropical fruit flavours, a supporting malt backbone and a lingering bitter finish.
Brewed with Citra and Mosaic hops, this 6.5% IPA delivers an exciting combination of grapefruit, tropical fruit, floral notes and pine.
The hop character is prominent from the first aroma through to the finish, while the malt provides enough body and balance to make the beer satisfying rather than simply bitter.
Unlike softer, sweeter New England IPAs, Life & Death embraces a more traditional hop-forward character, combining fruitiness with noticeable bitterness.
It's an excellent choice for IPA enthusiasts who appreciate bold flavours and a beer with plenty of personality.
Whether you're discovering British craft beer or looking for a reliable favourite, Vocation Life & Death is a classic IPA worth exploring.
Tasting Notes
Vocation Life & Death Classic IPA combines vibrant hop aromas with a full-bodied malt character and a satisfyingly bitter finish.
Appearance: Golden to pale amber, with a light haze and a white head.
Aroma: Bright citrus, grapefruit, tropical fruit, delicate floral notes and pine.
Taste: Juicy citrus and tropical fruit flavours supported by a balanced malt backbone, followed by resinous pine and pronounced hop bitterness.
Mouthfeel: Full-bodied and smooth, with a lingering bittersweet finish.
Citra and Mosaic hops give Life & Death its distinctive aromatic character.
Citra contributes bright citrus and tropical fruit notes, while Mosaic adds layers of fruit, floral character and resinous complexity.
Together, they create an IPA that's expressive, refreshing and satisfyingly bitter.
About the Brewery
Vocation Brewery is an independent craft brewery based in Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire, England.
Founded in 2015, Vocation has built its reputation around producing bold, flavour-driven beers, with a particular focus on expressive hops and modern brewing styles.
The brewery's range includes refreshing pale ales, full-bodied IPAs, rich stouts and experimental releases, all reflecting its commitment to creating beers with distinctive character.
Life & Death is one of Vocation's best-known beers and has become a staple of its core range.
Its combination of Citra and Mosaic hops, substantial body and balanced bitterness has helped establish it as a favourite among IPA drinkers.
Rather than relying solely on sweetness or intense fruit flavours, Life & Death delivers the balance of malt, hops and bitterness that makes a classic IPA so satisfying.
It's a brilliant introduction to Vocation Brewery and a rewarding choice for anyone who already enjoys hop-forward craft beer.
Food Pairings
The bold hop character, citrus flavours and substantial body of Vocation Life & Death make it an excellent companion to richly flavoured food.
Burgers and Grilled Meats
The beer's bitterness helps cut through the richness of beef burgers, grilled steak and other hearty dishes.
Its citrus and pine notes provide a refreshing contrast to smoky, chargrilled flavours.
Barbecue Chicken and Ribs
Sweet, sticky barbecue sauces work particularly well with the beer's hop bitterness.
The malt character complements caramelised flavours, while the citrus notes help balance the sweetness.
Mature Cheddar
Aged cheddar is a natural pairing for a classic IPA.
The cheese's rich, savoury flavour contrasts with the beer's citrusy hops and lingering bitterness, creating a satisfying combination.
Roasted Vegetables
Roasted peppers, sweet potatoes and caramelised onions bring sweetness that balances the beer's bitter finish.
The toasted flavours also complement its supporting malt character.
Boldly Seasoned Dishes
Life & Death works well with flavourful dishes featuring herbs, garlic and savoury seasonings.
For very spicy food, remember that pronounced hop bitterness can sometimes intensify chilli heat.
Try More Like This
If you enjoy Vocation Life & Death Classic IPA, there are plenty of other hop-forward beers worth discovering.
For a similar balance of citrus, pine and bitterness, explore other classic American-style IPAs and West Coast IPAs.
These styles typically emphasise expressive hop aromas, a supporting malt backbone and a clean, bitter finish.
If you prefer something slightly lighter, a citrus-forward pale ale offers many of the same hop flavours at a more approachable strength.
Alternatively, New England IPAs provide a softer, fruitier interpretation of modern hop character, often with less pronounced bitterness.
Browse our craft beer collection for more IPAs, pale ales and beers from independent breweries.
You can also revisit Vocation Life & Death IPA on TheCru.ie when comparing your favourite craft beers.
Whether you're discovering Vocation for the first time or returning to an old favourite, Life & Death delivers the bold hop character, vibrant fruit flavours and satisfying bitterness that define a great classic IPA.
Bold citrus. Tropical hops. Piney bitterness. A proper IPA.
Shop the best of craft beer Ireland and from around the world online with TheCru.ie or in our Dublin craft beer store, Carry Out Tyrrelstown in Dublin 15