Phase Three Nect-O-Cooler 4Pk

Phase Three Nect-O-Cooler 4Pk is a fruited kettle sour ale brewed with orange and tangerine, available in a 4-pack at 5.7% ABV. Drawing direct inspiration from the beloved late-1980s juice box drink, this sour delivers an unmistakable blast of grovestand citrus wrapped in a strikingly green pour that taps straight into childhood nostalgia. It holds a 3.9 out of 5 rating on Untappd from over 1,400 reviews.

Quick Facts: ABV: 5.7%  |  Origin: Lake Zurich, Illinois  |  Style: Fruited Kettle Sour  |  Brewery: Phase Three Brewing Company

Production & Heritage

Phase Three Brewing Company operates out of Lake Zurich, Illinois, and has built a devoted following in the Midwest craft scene for boundary-pushing sours, stouts, and IPAs. Nect-O-Cooler is produced using a kettle souring process, where the wort is acidified before the boil, resulting in a clean, controlled tartness without funky or barnyard character. What sets this particular release apart is the generous addition of orange and tangerine — calibrated to recreate the flavor memory of a nostalgic late-80s citrus juice drink — along with a vivid green hue that reinforces the throwback concept.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Fresh-squeezed orange juice leads, followed by tangerine zest and a faint lactic tang. A subtle sweetness underneath recalls a freshly opened juice box.

Taste: The entry is bright and immediately tart, hitting squarely with grovestand orange juice character. Mid-palate introduces tangerine pulpiness and a gentle sweetness that balances the acidity. The overall impression is juicy, clean, and remarkably drinkable at 5.7% ABV.

Finish: The finish is short to medium, with lingering citrus peel tartness and a dry, refreshing close. There is no cloying residual sweetness — just crisp acidity that invites the next sip.

How to Drink Nect-O-Cooler

Serve this one cold, straight from the can or poured into a tulip glass to capture the aroma. Its sessionable ABV and built-in tartness also make it surprisingly versatile as a cocktail mixer. Try it in a Sour Shandy blended with lemonade for a double-citrus cooler. It works well in a Beer Margarita, replacing the typical lager with Nect-O-Cooler for added tartness and fruit complexity. A Sour Radler with grapefruit soda and a squeeze of lime plays off the tangerine notes beautifully.

Best For

• Backyard cookouts and warm-weather day drinking sessions
• Gifting to craft beer fans who appreciate nostalgic, creative releases
• Introducing sour-curious drinkers to the fruited kettle sour style
• Pairing with brunch spreads alongside eggs, fruit, and light pastries

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Nect-O-Cooler taste like? Nect-O-Cooler tastes like freshly squeezed orange and tangerine juice with a clean, lactic tartness and no harsh acidity. It is sweet enough to be approachable but finishes dry and refreshing.

How does Nect-O-Cooler compare to a traditional Berliner Weisse? A classic Berliner Weisse relies on wheat-forward grain character and restrained tartness, often served with flavored syrup. Nect-O-Cooler is more aggressively fruited with real orange and tangerine additions, delivering a bolder citrus flavor and a more juice-like body than a traditional Berliner Weisse.

Is Nect-O-Cooler good for sour beer beginners? Yes — at 5.7% ABV with a familiar citrus juice profile, it is one of the more accessible fruited sours available, especially for drinkers who enjoy orange juice but are new to tart beer styles.

Where is Nect-O-Cooler made? Nect-O-Cooler is brewed by Phase Three Brewing Company in Lake Zurich, Illinois, a suburb northwest of Chicago known as a hub for high-quality Midwest craft brewing.

What foods pair well with Nect-O-Cooler? Grilled shrimp tacos complement the citrus tartness with their charred sweetness. A fresh ceviche mirrors the bright acidity naturally. Lemon-dressed arugula salad echoes the sour's clean finish. Soft goat cheese provides a creamy counterpoint to the tangerine bite. Orange-glazed chicken wings create a harmonious citrus-on-citrus pairing.

What sizes does Nect-O-Cooler come in? Nect-O-Cooler is available as a 4-pack of cans, which is the standard retail format for this release from Phase Three Brewing.

Is Nect-O-Cooler worth the price? Nect-O-Cooler positions in the mid-range for craft fruited sours from a respected independent brewery, and its highly specific flavor concept and limited distribution give it added value for collectors and fans of the style.

Why Nect-O-Cooler?

Phase Three Brewing has earned serious credibility in the competitive Illinois craft scene, and Nect-O-Cooler demonstrates exactly why — it takes a playful, nostalgic concept and executes it with real technical precision. The kettle souring method delivers a clean tartness that lets the orange and tangerine additions shine without veering into artificial or muddled territory. With over 1,400 Untappd ratings averaging 3.9 out of 5, it has proven its appeal well beyond novelty. For anyone seeking a genuinely fun, flavorful fruited sour that drinks far easier than its creativity suggests, this is a standout in the category.