Sierra Nevada Brewing Co | Hoptimum | 10.4% ABV
Double IPA
Sierra Nevada seems to be able to do no wrong with me lately. Hoptimum is their annual double IPA release and it’s fantastic! Sweet. Bitter. Fresh. Floral. This is a great IPA. If you can get your hands on it, do it! Love it.
Price: $7.99/4pack
Rating: 9/10
Mikkeller/To OL | Sleep Over Coffee IIPA | 11.2 FL
Coffee IPA
Wow! This is, by far, the best Coffee IPA I’ve ever had. I haven’t had many, though. Very heavy on coffee; finishes with a bitter grapefruit after taste. Not really sure how readily available Mikkeller stuff is near you, but if you see it, grab it.
Price: $7.99/12oz bottle
Rating: 9/10
Great Lakes Brewing Co | Lake Erie Monster | 9.1% ABV
Imperial IPA
The monster is back and it’s fucking delicious! Fresh carmel and malt taste with just the right amount of bitterness. This is a great beer. Availability is May though July so snatch it up if you see it!
Price: $11.99/4pack
Rating: 9/10
Long Trail Brewing Co | Brewmaster Series Double IPA | 8.6% ABV
Double IPA
Here’s a beer I know nothing about. It was sent to me by a friend and I can’t wait to try it! This is sweet and malty at the same time. Really crisp. This beer is getting more complex and vibrant as it warms up. I really surprised by this. Get it if you can. Great stuff.
Rating: 8/10
Victory Brewing Co | Hop Devil | 6.7% ABV
IPA
Very surprised this is the first time I’m having this. I’ve always been turned off by Victory’s labels but I’ve never really heard anything bad about the hop devil. That being said…this is pretty good. It has a typical really hoppy bitter aftertaste but that’s about it. It’s be a pretty good session beer. Not fantastic but not bad either. Give it a shot.
Price: $9.99/6pack
Rating: 6/10
Founders Brewing | Dry Hopped Pale Ale | 5.4% ABV
Pale Ale
Another delicious release from Founders Brewing. If you like hops, then this is for you. Bitter citrus like a mother fucker. This come from dry hopping (hence the name). Dry hopping happens after the initial boil, during fermentation, and enhances aroma of the beer. For more on dry hopping, fucking google it!
Price: $9.99/6-pack
Rating: 7/10
Dogfish Head | 90 Minute IPA | 9% ABV
Imperial IPA
Why haven’t you tried this beer yet? In my experience, this is the best, most easy to find imperial IPA out there. Just fucking go get it cunts.
Price: $10.99/4-pack
Rating: 9/10
Milwaukee Brewing | Hop Happy | 7.7% ABV
IPA
This brewery is fairly new to the Chicago area or at least new to me. Of course I’m going to try the IPA first. Let’s give it a WHIRRLLLL!!! This is pretty bland and boring. The hops might be dead but you would never know because there’s no bottle date. There’s not much else I can say about this. I would stay away unless you can find a bottling date. Big meh.
Price: $9.99/6-pack
Rating: 3/10
Dogfish Head | Heaven and Hell | 18%+ ABV
Black and Tan
BOOM! What a great idea this was. Not sure if this is officially sanctioned by Dogfish head. This is 50% 120 minute IPA and 50% world wide stout. Both start out at 18% ABV and YES it is as delicious as it sounds. The IPA mellows the boozey taste from the stout and the stout calms the bitterness of the IPA. If you can get your hands on these do it. You won’t be sorry.
Price: $9/ 9oz draft
Rating: 9/10
Flying Dog | Doggie Style | 5.5% ABV
Pale Ale
This is actually a pretty good pale ale. I wasn’t expecting much because I disliked the IPA they have. This is the superior brew in my opinion. Now, that isn’t saying much. I would call this a session beer. Give it a shot or don’t. Get something you know you love. I don’t know. Blah.
Price: $9.99/6-pack
Rating: 5/10
