My latest article for The Bulletin was published yesterday, in which I begin to dig into the lifestyle beer segment with a look at Deschutes Brewery‘s WOWZA! Lo-cal Hazy Pale Ale. I also touch on Sufferfest Beer Company with a look at its Repeat Kolsch.

Locally, Deschutes Brewery has been dipping its toe into the lifestyle pool for the past year, calling these beers its “better for you” portfolio. Da Shootz pilsner was its first to highlight low alcohol and low carbs, with only 99 calories per can. With Lil’ Squeezy Juice Ale, the brewery focused on reducing gluten content for gluten-sensitive drinkers.

The latest release, Wowza, continues building on these previous efforts to offer what the brewery calls a “lo-cal hazy pale ale.” The packaging prominently highlights the beer’s 100 calories per 12-ounce can, 4% alcohol by volume, and four grams of carbs. (It is not gluten reduced, however.)

Deschutes is also capitalizing on the ongoing “hazy” trend to sweeten the deal, so to speak. And the recipe for Wowza contains an unusual ingredient as well: chicory root, which provides inulin, a dietary fiber that contains no calories. It was added to help balance the body and sweeten the beer without adding calories.

Read through to see my impressions of both WOWZA! and Repeat Kolsch.