Three local breweries share their take on a national trend: low-alcohol, low-calorie IPAs. Pack these brews from Cheboygan Brewing Co., MiddleCoast Brewing Company and Short’s Brewing Co. in your cooler.

Tree Love by Cheboygan Brewing Company

101 N. Main St., Cheboygan | Cheboygan Brewing Website

Disc golf fans will appreciate the name and can design. (Non-players, let me fill you in: tree love is when the frisbee hits part of a tree and then travels in a favorable direction.) With a 3.8% ABV, this light beer has the lowest alcohol content in the group, but it’s definitely not low on flavor. Michigan Copper, a hop cultivar known for its tropical fruit punch aromas, makes the beer perfect for warm days. Available in 16-ounce cans; 115 calories per 12-ounce serving.

This article first appeared in Traverse Northern Michigan. Find this story and more when you explore our digital issue library. Want Traverse delivered to your door or inbox monthly? View our print subscription and digital subscription options.

Beer from Cheboygan Brewing Company

Photo by Cheboygan Brewing Company

Stone Skipper by MiddleCoast Brewing Company

329 E. State St., Traverse City | MiddleCoast Brewing Website

With a name like that, how can you not take it to the beach?! The 4% ABV beer is packed with five hop varieties—El Dorado, Southern Cross, Mosaic, Citra and Cascade. “Hops add zero calories to beer, so we went all-in with those,” says Joel Mulder, co-owner and lead brewer/distiller. “If you’re an IPA lover, this won’t disappoint.” Stone Skipper is light and crisp, but has a citrus aroma that’ll put you in a summertime mood any time of year. Available in 12-ounce cans; 100 calories.

Lil’ Huma by Short’s Brewing Company

121 N. Bridge St., Bellaire | Short’s Website

Imagine the Huma Lupa Licious (aka brewer Joe Short’s favorite beer) as Lil’ Huma’s big brother. Both have heady aromas of pine and citrus and a gorgeous gold color. But while Huma Lupa has a 7.7% ABV, the Lil’ is just 4.5%, making it a great choice for family BBQs and all-day cornhole championships. Available in 12-ounce cans; 95 calories. (Pssst! Also, watch for Short’s limited release of Local’s Light Lime this summer.)

Photo(s) by Dave Weidner