Phase Three Herbasaurus 4Pk

Phase Three Herbasaurus 4Pk is a 9% ABV West Coast Double IPA from Phase Three Brewing Company in Lake Zurich, Illinois, sold as a four-pack of cans. Built around a five-hop bill of Eureka, Apollo, Simcoe, Columbus, and Centennial, Herbasaurus has earned a 3.9 out of 5 on Untappd across more than 2,200 ratings for its aggressively dank, resinous hop character.

Quick Facts: ABV: 9%  |  Origin: Lake Zurich, Illinois, USA  |  Style: West Coast Double IPA  |  Brewery: Phase Three Brewing Company

Production & Heritage

Phase Three Brewing Company operates out of Lake Zurich, Illinois, at 932 Donata Court, and has developed a reputation for boundary-pushing hop-forward ales alongside its acclaimed stout program. Herbasaurus uses a sticky, pungent combination of Eureka, Apollo, Simcoe, Columbus, and Centennial hops, deliberately selected to maximize cannabis-like dankness and pine resin intensity. The brew sits within a broader Phase Three lineup that includes Terpasaurus, a variant augmented with Abstrax Pineapple Express terpenes — context that underscores the brewery's intentional pursuit of terpene-driven, ultra-dank hop expression in this family of beers.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with sharp pine resin and unmistakably dank, weedy greens. Behind that initial blast, wet grass, a faint leek-like vegetal note, and a subtle cracker-like malt backbone emerge.

Taste: On the palate, bracing bitterness from resinous pine and dank hop oils hits immediately and carries through the mid-palate. Citrus and a light caramel malt sweetness provide counterbalance, though the overall lean is firmly toward the bitter, herbal side. The body is light-medium with moderate carbonation, keeping it drinkable despite the 9% ABV.

Finish: The finish is notably dry, with lingering pine resin and green, herbal bitterness. There is little residual sweetness — the hops maintain their grip well after each sip fades.

How to Drink Herbasaurus

Herbasaurus is best enjoyed cold, poured into a tulip glass or standard pint to let the volatile hop aromatics open up. A temperature around 45–50°F allows the dank, resinous character to present fully without muting the citrus undertones. This is a beer designed to be appreciated on its own terms — it does not need garnish or additives, but pairs naturally with bold, savory foods rather than sweet ones.

Best For

• Sharing with hop-obsessed friends who favor old-school West Coast bitterness over haze
• Pairing alongside a backyard cookout with heavily seasoned or smoked meats
• Gifting to a craft beer collector exploring Illinois's independent brewing scene
• Side-by-side tastings comparing dank, resin-forward DIPAs from different regions

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Herbasaurus taste like? Herbasaurus delivers aggressive pine resin and dank, cannabis-like hop bitterness up front, balanced by restrained citrus and caramel malt sweetness, finishing dry and herbal.

How does Herbasaurus compare to Stone Ruination Double IPA 2.0? Both are West Coast Double IPAs that share Centennial and Simcoe hops and emphasize resinous bitterness over tropical juice. Herbasaurus leans more aggressively into dank, weedy character with its Eureka and Apollo additions, while Stone Ruination 2.0 tends to show a broader citrus presence and slightly fuller malt body.

Is Herbasaurus good for sipping on its own? Yes — its light-medium body and dry finish keep it surprisingly sessionable for a 9% DIPA, and the complex hop layering rewards slow, attentive drinking.

Where is Herbasaurus made? Herbasaurus is brewed at Phase Three Brewing Company, located at 932 Donata Court in Lake Zurich, Illinois, a suburb northwest of Chicago.

What foods pair well with Herbasaurus? Smoked brisket or pulled pork stands up to the intense bitterness. Sharp aged cheddar mirrors the beer's assertive character. Spicy Thai green curry complements the herbal, resinous notes. A classic bacon cheeseburger provides richness that the dry finish cuts through cleanly. Roasted jalapeño poppers match the beer's heat-adjacent dankness.

What sizes does Herbasaurus come in? Herbasaurus is available in a four-pack of cans, the standard release format for Phase Three's hop-forward offerings.

Is Herbasaurus worth the price? Herbasaurus positions as a craft-premium West Coast Double IPA from a well-regarded independent Illinois brewery; its complex five-hop bill and 9% ABV place it competitively among specialty DIPAs in the upper-craft tier.

Why Herbasaurus?

In an era dominated by soft, hazy IPAs, Herbasaurus is a deliberate throwback to unapologetic West Coast bitterness — but executed with a modern brewer's precision in hop selection. The five-hop combination of Eureka, Apollo, Simcoe, Columbus, and Centennial is specifically engineered to amplify dank, terpene-rich, resinous flavors that most contemporary DIPAs avoid. With a 3.9 Untappd rating from over 2,200 reviews, it has built a loyal following among drinkers who want their hops to bite. For anyone seeking a West Coast Double IPA that commits fully to pine, dank greens, and uncompromising bitterness at a potent 9% ABV, Herbasaurus stands as one of the more distinctive options coming out of the Illinois craft scene.