Hop Butcher Double Blazed Orange 4Pk

Hop Butcher Double Blazed Orange 4Pk is a 9.5% ABV milkshake double IPA from Chicago's Hop Butcher For The World, sold in a four-pack of cans. A 2023 Untappd Community Award winner carrying a 4.4 out of 5 rating across more than 10,600 reviews, this beer has earned a devoted following for delivering what countless drinkers describe as liquid orange creamsicle.

Quick Facts: ABV: 9.5%  |  Origin: Chicago, Illinois  |  Style: Milkshake Double IPA  |  Brewery: Hop Butcher For The World

Production & Heritage

Hop Butcher For The World operates out of Chicago with a production facility in Bedford Park, Illinois, and has built a reputation as one of the Midwest's most sought-after hazy IPA producers. Double Blazed Orange is dry-hopped with Citra and Strata hops, then brewed with extra vanilla and extra oranges alongside lactose (milk sugar), which gives it the "milkshake" designation. The emphasis on generous quantities of both vanilla and orange distinguishes this expression from standard milkshake IPAs, pushing the creamsicle character front and center rather than relying on hops alone.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Fresh-squeezed orange and candied citrus peel hit first, followed by waves of vanilla bean and soft tropical fruit from the Citra and Strata hop combination. There is a gentle pastry-like sweetness underneath that signals the lactose addition.

Taste: The entry is immediately juicy with bright candied orange, transitioning into a rich mid-palate of vanilla cream and honey-kissed cereal grain. Grain sugars wrap around the orange flavors, creating that unmistakable orange creamsicle quality that reviewers consistently highlight. The body is full and deliberately creamy.

Finish: A balanced hop bitterness emerges at the close, preventing the sweetness from becoming one-dimensional. Lingering vanilla and orange peel carry through a medium-length finish with a slightly resinous edge from the Strata hops.

How to Drink Double Blazed Orange

Pour into a tulip glass or stemless wine glass to capture the aromatics; drinking temperature around 40–45°F lets the vanilla and orange shine without letting the 9.5% ABV heat dominate. This beer is best enjoyed fresh, as hop-forward milkshake IPAs lose vibrancy over time. A Beermosa works here by splitting the pour with fresh-squeezed OJ for brunch. A Creamsicle Float pairs a half pour with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a dessert riff. A Shandy-style serve with a splash of sparkling lemonade stretches the sweetness into a refreshing warm-weather drink.

Best For

• Gifting a craft beer fan who gravitates toward hazy, dessert-forward IPAs
• Summer cookouts where a bold, fruity beer stands up to the grill
• Side-by-side tastings comparing milkshake IPAs from different breweries
• Sharing among friends who enjoy sweeter, full-bodied beer styles

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Double Blazed Orange taste like? Double Blazed Orange tastes like a boozy orange creamsicle — juicy candied orange layered with smooth vanilla cream and a soft hop finish. The lactose gives it a full, creamy body that sets it apart from standard hazy IPAs.

How does Double Blazed Orange compare to Great Notion Orange Creamsicle IPA? Both target the orange creamsicle flavor profile with vanilla and citrus, but Double Blazed Orange leans heavier into lactose-driven body at 9.5% ABV, while Great Notion's version incorporates coconut cream for a different textural approach. Double Blazed Orange tends to read sweeter and fuller on the palate.

Is Double Blazed Orange good for sipping? At 9.5% ABV with a dessert-like flavor profile, this is a slow-sipper rather than a session beer — one or two cans make a complete experience. Its rich, creamy body rewards deliberate drinking from a proper glass.

Where is Double Blazed Orange made? Double Blazed Orange is brewed by Hop Butcher For The World, a Chicago-based craft brewery with its production facility located in Bedford Park, Illinois. Distribution is primarily concentrated in the greater Chicago area and select Midwest markets.

What foods pair well with Double Blazed Orange? Grilled citrus-glazed chicken benefits from the beer's complementary orange notes. Vanilla bean cheesecake mirrors the creamy vanilla character. Spicy Thai curry finds balance against the lactose sweetness. Fish tacos with mango salsa echo the tropical hop profile. A simple cheese board with mild brie lets the beer's fruit-forward personality lead.

What sizes does Double Blazed Orange come in? Double Blazed Orange is commonly available in four-packs of cans, the standard format for Hop Butcher's rotating releases.

Is Double Blazed Orange worth the price? Double Blazed Orange positions in the premium craft tier, consistent with limited-run milkshake double IPAs from respected regional breweries. Its 4.4 Untappd rating and award-winning status suggest it delivers strong value relative to comparably priced specialty IPAs.

Why Double Blazed Orange?

What separates this beer from the crowded milkshake IPA field is Hop Butcher's deliberate decision to use extra vanilla and extra oranges — not a subtle addition but a defining production choice that reviewers confirm translates directly into the glass. The 2023 Untappd Community Award and a 4.47 rating on BeerAdvocate reinforce that this is not hype without substance. At 9.5% ABV, the Citra and Strata hop combination provides enough bitterness to keep the sweetness honest, a balance many imitators struggle to achieve. For drinkers chasing the definitive orange creamsicle IPA experience from a brewery that consistently ranks among Chicago's best, this is the benchmark.