Hop Butcher Pink Fly 4Pk

Hop Butcher Pink Fly 4Pk is a 7.5% ABV Double India Pale Ale brewed in Chicago and sold in a four-pack of 16oz cans. Built on an exclusive pairing of New Zealand-grown Waimea and Nelson Sauvin hops, Pink Fly has earned a 4.2 out of 5 rating on Untappd across more than 2,000 reviews, placing it firmly among the brewery's most praised releases.

Quick Facts: ABV: 7.5%  |  Origin: Chicago, Illinois  |  Style: Double IPA  |  Brewery: Hop Butcher for The World

Production & Heritage

Hop Butcher for The World operates out of Chicago, Illinois, and has built a devoted following through a relentless rotation of hop-forward releases. Pink Fly spotlights two New Zealand hop varieties rarely seen together: Waimea, known for delivering tangerine, grapefruit, and resinous pine aromatics, and Nelson Sauvin, prized for its intense gooseberry, passion fruit, and Sauvignon Blanc-like character. By leaning entirely into this Southern Hemisphere pairing rather than the more conventional Citra and Mosaic combination, Hop Butcher creates a DIPA with a distinct vinous, tropical signature that separates it from the pack.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Tangerine peel and pink grapefruit rise first, followed by a wave of ripe mango and papaya sweetness. Underneath, there is a subtle peppery dankness and a light floral lift from the Nelson Sauvin.

Taste: The entry is soft and creamy, immediately delivering juicy mango and honey-drizzled tropical fruit. At mid-palate, white grape and gooseberry tones emerge, adding a wine-like complexity uncommon in most Double IPAs. A measured resinous pine note and pleasant bitterness build toward the back, keeping the sweetness in check.

Finish: Medium in length with a slightly chalky, dry texture that resets the palate. Lingering grapefruit pith and peppery hop spice close things out with a clean, bitter punctuation.

How to Drink Pink Fly

Pour into a tulip glass or stemless IPA glass at around 40–45°F to let the aromatic complexity open up fully. Pink Fly rewards attentive sipping on its own, but it also brings depth to hop-forward mixed drinks. In an IPA Shandy, the mango and tangerine notes pair naturally with fresh lemonade for a sessionable summer serve. A Michelada benefits from the beer's creamy body and citrus brightness, balancing the heat of hot sauce and lime. For something unconventional, try it in a Beer Margarita, where the white grape and grapefruit character merges seamlessly with tequila and Cointreau.

Best For

• Sharing among hop-obsessed friends during a craft beer tasting night
• Bringing to a summer cookout where bold-flavored food needs a bold-flavored beer
• Gifting to a Double IPA collector who values unusual hop combinations
• Exploring New Zealand hops beyond the usual single-hop pale ale format

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Pink Fly taste like? Pink Fly leads with juicy mango, tangerine, and papaya sweetness, then shifts into a wine-like white grape mid-palate before finishing with resinous pine and a clean bitterness. The mouthfeel is notably soft and creamy with a slightly chalky, dry close.

How does Pink Fly compare to Citra and Mosaic-hopped DIPAs? Where Citra and Mosaic pairings tend to emphasize stone fruit, orange, and dank pine, Pink Fly's Waimea and Nelson Sauvin combination delivers a more vinous, gooseberry-and-grape character with distinct tangerine brightness. It reads as more exotic and less predictable than the industry-standard hop pairing.

Is Pink Fly good for sipping on its own? Absolutely — the layered hop profile, creamy texture, and balanced bitterness make it a rewarding pour neat from the can or poured into a proper glass to appreciate the full aroma.

Where is Pink Fly made? Pink Fly is brewed by Hop Butcher for The World in Chicago, Illinois. The brewery sources its signature Waimea and Nelson Sauvin hops from New Zealand's hop-growing regions.

What foods pair well with Pink Fly? Grilled shrimp tacos with mango salsa complement the beer's tropical notes. Spicy Thai green curry matches well against the creamy body and citrus aromatics. A sharp aged cheddar creates a satisfying contrast to the hop bitterness. Pork belly sliders with a citrus glaze echo the tangerine and grapefruit character. Fresh ceviche with grapefruit segments mirrors the beer's bright acidity.

What sizes does Pink Fly come in? Pink Fly is available as a four-pack of 16oz cans, the standard format for Hop Butcher for The World releases.

Is Pink Fly worth the price? Pink Fly positions as a premium craft Double IPA, and its use of specialty New Zealand hops justifies its placement above everyday IPAs. For drinkers who value distinctive hop variety selection and a 4.2 Untappd rating, it represents strong value within the hazy DIPA tier.

Why Pink Fly?

The defining move here is the all-New Zealand hop bill. While countless breweries reach for Citra, Mosaic, and Galaxy as reliable crowd-pleasers, Hop Butcher built Pink Fly around Waimea and Nelson Sauvin — two varieties that together produce a flavor profile closer to tropical white wine than a standard juice bomb. That vinous, gooseberry-laced complexity, layered over a soft, creamy base, gives Pink Fly an identity most Double IPAs simply do not have. A 4.2 Untappd rating across thousands of reviews confirms that the gamble on less common hops resonates with serious craft beer drinkers.