Forbidden Root Hay Fever 4Pk

Forbidden Root Hay Fever 4Pk is a dry-hopped farmhouse ale brewed in Chicago at 5.9% ABV, sold as a four-pack of 12 oz cans. Brewed with French Saison yeast and generously dry-hopped with Citra and El Dorado, Hay Fever pushes the saison style toward hop-forward territory while retaining the earthy funk that defines the category.

Quick Facts: ABV: 5.9%  |  Origin: Chicago, Illinois  |  Style: Dry-Hopped Saison  |  Brewery: Forbidden Root

Production & Heritage

Forbidden Root holds the distinction of being Chicago's first botanic brewery, building its identity around botanical ingredients and classical brewing traditions reimagined with modern technique. Hay Fever starts with a light wheat mash and is fermented with a French Saison yeast strain, which delivers the rustic, slightly funky backbone characteristic of traditional farmhouse ales. The defining production step is a generous dry-hopping with both Citra and El Dorado hops, which layers tropical fruit aromatics—particularly pineapple and citrus—over the yeast-driven base without adding bitterness from a prolonged boil.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Musty earthiness gives way to ripe pineapple and tropical citrus, with a subtle funky undercurrent from the Saison yeast. The El Dorado and Citra hops dominate the nose, lending a fresh, almost juicy quality.

Taste: The entry is soft and fluffy, carried by the light wheat mash that creates an almost creamy mouthfeel. Mid-palate, bright pineapple and grapefruit notes emerge, balanced by a clean, moderate bitterness. The French Saison yeast adds a layer of earthy spice and mild funk that keeps the tropical fruit in check.

Finish: Clean and moderately dry, finishing with lingering grapefruit pith and a faint peppery bite from the yeast. The bitterness is restrained, fading quickly enough to invite the next sip.

How to Drink Hay Fever

Hay Fever is best served cold, between 40–45°F, poured into a tulip glass to concentrate the aromatic hop character. The saison's dry finish and moderate ABV also make it a versatile base in beer cocktails. A Shandy pairs well, with fresh lemonade amplifying Hay Fever's citrus notes. A Radler using grapefruit soda plays off the beer's natural pineapple-grapefruit profile. For something more adventurous, a Beermosa with fresh-squeezed orange juice highlights the tropical hop character alongside the yeast-driven spice.

Best For

• Warm-weather afternoon sessions where a low-ABV beer with big flavor is ideal
• Introducing craft beer drinkers to the saison style through a hop-forward gateway
• Pairing with a backyard cookout or casual outdoor gathering
• Exploring Chicago's botanic brewing scene without committing to a full six-pack

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Hay Fever taste like? Hay Fever delivers bright pineapple and grapefruit hop flavors on a soft, slightly creamy wheat base, with earthy farmhouse funk and a clean, dry finish. It drinks hoppier than most saisons while retaining classic yeast-driven spice.

How does Hay Fever compare to Saison Dupont? Saison Dupont is the benchmark Belgian farmhouse ale, emphasizing peppery yeast character and bone-dry minerality, while Hay Fever shifts the focus to tropical hop aromatics from Citra and El Dorado. Hay Fever's wheat-based body is also softer and creamier than Dupont's leaner, more effervescent texture.

Is Hay Fever good for craft beer beginners? Yes—its bright tropical fruit flavors and moderate 5.9% ABV make it approachable, though the subtle earthy funk from the Saison yeast may be unfamiliar to drinkers accustomed to straightforward IPAs or lagers.

Where is Hay Fever made? Hay Fever is brewed by Forbidden Root, Chicago's first botanic brewery, located in Chicago, Illinois. The brewery specializes in botanical and ingredient-driven beers rooted in classical styles.

What foods pair well with Hay Fever? Grilled white fish benefits from the beer's citrus hop brightness. Soft goat cheese echoes the creamy mouthfeel while contrasting the dry finish. Thai green curry matches the tropical fruit notes and is tempered by the beer's moderate bitterness. Roasted chicken with herbs complements the saison's earthy, peppery yeast character. A citrus-dressed arugula salad mirrors the grapefruit and pineapple flavors naturally.

What sizes does Hay Fever come in? Hay Fever is available as a four-pack of 12 oz cans, which is the standard retail format.

Is Hay Fever worth the price? Hay Fever positions as a craft four-pack in the mid-range price tier, and its combination of quality hop selection, distinctive Saison yeast character, and Chicago botanic brewing provenance delivers strong value within the specialty farmhouse ale category.

Why Hay Fever?

Hay Fever occupies a niche that few beers manage well: a genuine farmhouse ale that also satisfies hop-forward drinkers. The combination of French Saison yeast with a Citra and El Dorado dry-hop is deliberate—El Dorado's pineapple-forward character and Citra's citrus punch are chosen to complement, not overpower, the yeast's natural funk and spice. Coming from Chicago's first botanic brewery, it reflects Forbidden Root's broader philosophy of blending botanical intent with established brewing tradition. For drinkers who find traditional saisons too austere or modern IPAs too one-dimensional, Hay Fever sits squarely in the middle ground.