Collective Arts Beady Eyes 4Pk

Collective Arts Beady Eyes 4Pk is a 5.4% ABV American pale ale brewed with blood orange, hibiscus, and lactose sugar, sold as a four-pack of cans. Born from a three-way collaboration between Collective Arts Brewing, Chicago's Marz Community Brewing Co., and Hamilton's Donut Monster, this pale ale draws direct inspiration from one of Donut Monster's signature flavor creations — a concept that translates surprisingly well into beer form.

Quick Facts: ABV: 5.4%  |  Origin: Hamilton, Ontario, Canada  |  Style: American Pale Ale  |  Brewery: Collective Arts Brewing (with Marz Community Brewing Co. & Donut Monster)

Production & Heritage

Collective Arts Brewing, based in Hamilton, Ontario, has built a reputation for boundary-pushing brews paired with rotating original artwork on every can. Beady Eyes represents a collaborative effort with Marz Community Brewing Co. out of Chicago and Donut Monster, a well-known Hamilton-area donut shop. The recipe layers generous amounts of blood orange and hibiscus over a citrus-forward hop backbone, with lactose sugar introduced to add a soft, creamy body that rounds out the fruit-driven profile. The result is a pale ale that bridges the gap between a traditional hop-forward beer and a fruit-infused session sip.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Blood orange leads immediately, joined by floral hibiscus and gentle peachy-nectarine notes. A light spiciness from the hibiscus lifts the nose beyond simple citrus territory.

Taste: The entry is juicy and bright with unmistakable blood orange character. Mid-palate, hibiscus introduces a tart, slightly floral layer, while stone fruit notes — peach and nectarine — fill in the background. Lactose smooths the edges, lending a subtle sweetness and fuller mouthfeel than a typical pale ale without veering into cloying territory.

Finish: Medium in length with soft carbonation and lingering citrus peel. The hibiscus spice returns at the tail end, keeping the finish dry enough to invite another sip.

How to Drink Beady Eyes

Beady Eyes drinks best chilled straight from the can or poured into a tulip glass to open up the aromatics. Its fruity, medium-bodied character also makes it a surprisingly versatile ingredient behind the bar. Try it in a Beer Shandy, where the blood orange character pairs naturally with fresh lemonade. It works well in a Michelada, adding a fruity twist to the classic savory-citrus template. A Beer Mimosa — split half-and-half with fresh orange juice — leans into the citrus and makes a compelling brunch pour.

Best For

• Sharing with friends who enjoy fruit-forward craft beer but find IPAs too bitter
• Summer barbecues and patio sessions where a lighter, flavorful option is needed
• Gifting to a craft beer enthusiast who appreciates creative brewery collaborations
• Pairing experiments at a casual dinner with bold, citrus-friendly dishes

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Beady Eyes taste like? Beady Eyes delivers a juicy, fruit-forward profile dominated by blood orange and hibiscus, with secondary peach and nectarine notes. Lactose sugar gives it a softer, creamier body than a standard pale ale.

How does Beady Eyes compare to Elysian SuperFuzz Blood Orange Pale Ale? Both are blood-orange-forward pale ales, but Beady Eyes adds hibiscus and lactose for a creamier, more floral character, while SuperFuzz leans into a drier, more hop-centric approach. Beady Eyes also carries the distinction of being a three-brewery collaboration inspired by a donut shop recipe.

Is Beady Eyes good for beginners? Yes — its approachable fruit-forward flavor and smooth, low-bitterness profile make it an excellent entry point for drinkers exploring craft beer beyond mainstream lagers.

Where is Beady Eyes made? Beady Eyes is brewed by Collective Arts Brewing in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. It was developed as a collaboration with Marz Community Brewing Co. of Chicago and Donut Monster, a Hamilton donut shop.

What foods pair well with Beady Eyes? Grilled shrimp tacos complement the citrus and hibiscus notes well. A fresh arugula-and-citrus salad mirrors the beer's bright acidity. Thai green papaya salad works with the fruit-forward sweetness. Blood-orange-glazed chicken creates a direct flavor bridge, and soft goat cheese balances the beer's tartness with creamy richness.

What sizes does Beady Eyes come in? Beady Eyes is commonly available in a four-pack of cans, which is the standard retail format for this release.

Is Beady Eyes worth the price? Beady Eyes positions as a mid-range craft pale ale, and the three-way collaboration pedigree along with specialty ingredients like hibiscus and lactose offer solid value within the creative craft beer segment.

Why Beady Eyes?

What separates Beady Eyes from the growing field of fruited pale ales is its origin story — a genuine three-way collaboration between two respected breweries and a donut shop, translating a pastry-inspired flavor concept into a balanced, drinkable beer. The use of lactose for body and hibiscus for floral complexity gives it a layered character that most fruit-adjunct pale ales lack. With an Untappd rating of 3.8 across over 2,100 reviews and a BeerAdvocate score of 83, it has earned a reliable reputation among craft drinkers. At 5.4% ABV, it sits in a sessionable range that lets the ingredients — not the alcohol — do the talking.