Hopewell Neon: Cabernet Sauvignon 750ML

Hopewell Neon: Cabernet Sauvignon 750ML is a mixed-culture rosé-style sour ale co-fermented with Michigan Cabernet Sauvignon grapes, bottled at 6.2% ABV in a 750ml format. Brewed by Chicago's Hopewell Brewing Co., this release bridges the worlds of wild ale fermentation and winemaking technique, earning a 4.0 rating on Untappd across 82 reviews.

Quick Facts: ABV: 6.2%  |  Origin: Chicago, Illinois  |  Style: Mixed-Culture Rosé Sour Ale  |  Brewery: Hopewell Brewing Co.

Production & Heritage

Hopewell Brewing Co., founded in Chicago's Logan Square neighborhood, has built a reputation for expressive mixed-culture ales alongside its core lineup of lagers and IPAs. For the Neon: Cabernet Sauvignon, the brewing team sources fresh-picked Cabernet Sauvignon grapes from Michigan, crushes them in house, and allows brief skin contact before drawing off the juice — the same initial step used in rosé winemaking. That juice is then co-fermented with a mixed culture of yeast and bacteria, yielding a tart, wine-adjacent beer that retains genuine grape character without simply tasting like flavored sour ale.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Fresh crushed strawberry and raspberry lead, followed by a subtle peppery spice from the Cabernet Sauvignon grape skins. A light floral tartness emerges as the ale warms in the glass.

Taste: The entry is bright and jammy, with ripe cherry and raspberry dominating the front palate. Mid-palate, a gentle acidity builds alongside deeper strawberry notes, while a peppery, almost tannic edge from the grape co-fermentation adds unexpected complexity. The fruit stays honest and fresh rather than syrupy.

Finish: Dry and moderately tart with lingering red berry and a faint grape-skin bitterness. The finish is clean and refreshing, encouraging the next sip without cloying sweetness.

How to Drink Neon: Cabernet Sauvignon

Pour into a tulip glass or wide-bowled wine glass at cellar temperature (50–55°F) to let the aromatics open fully. This ale is built for slow, contemplative drinking and rewards patience as it warms. For cocktail-adjacent serves, try it in a Berliner Spritz — topped with a splash of dry sparkling wine for added effervescence. A Sour Shandy with a small measure of fresh lemonade highlights the berry notes in warm weather. It also works in a Wild Ale Sangria, combined with sliced stone fruit and a touch of elderflower liqueur, where the grape character gives it a head start over conventional sour bases.

Best For

• Wine drinkers exploring the craft beer world for the first time
• Sharing at an intimate dinner party as a conversation-starting pour
• Gifting to a sour ale enthusiast who appreciates mixed-culture brewing
• Pairing with a summer charcuterie spread or cheese board

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Neon: Cabernet Sauvignon taste like? It tastes like a tart, jammy rosé with prominent strawberry, raspberry, and cherry flavors, balanced by a peppery spice and dry, wine-like finish. Despite being a beer, its grape co-fermentation gives it a character closer to a natural wine than a typical sour ale.

How does Neon: Cabernet Sauvignon compare to other grape ales? Many American grape ales use juice or purée added post-fermentation, while Hopewell co-ferments fresh-crushed Michigan Cabernet Sauvignon grapes with a mixed culture from the start, resulting in deeper integration of grape and beer character. The rosé method skin contact also adds a tannic, peppery dimension uncommon in the style.

Is Neon: Cabernet Sauvignon good for wine lovers trying craft beer? Yes — its rosé-like color, dry tannic finish, and genuine grape aromatics make it one of the most approachable crossover points between wine and sour ale. The 6.2% ABV also sits comfortably in wine-drinking territory.

Where is Neon: Cabernet Sauvignon made? It is brewed at Hopewell Brewing Co. in the Logan Square neighborhood of Chicago, Illinois, using fresh-picked Cabernet Sauvignon grapes sourced from Michigan vineyards.

What foods pair well with Neon: Cabernet Sauvignon? Soft-ripened cheeses like Brie or Camembert complement the tartness without competing. Charcuterie with coppa or prosciutto plays well against the peppery grape notes. Fresh strawberry or raspberry desserts echo the fruit profile. Grilled salmon with a light herb crust bridges the wine-like tannins. Duck rillettes offer richness that the ale's acidity cuts through cleanly.

What sizes does Neon: Cabernet Sauvignon come in? It is available in 750ml bottles, the standard large-format size used for mixed-culture and bottle-conditioned ales.

Is Neon: Cabernet Sauvignon worth the price? It positions as a specialty release within Hopewell's mixed-culture program, and the labor-intensive process of sourcing, crushing, and co-fermenting fresh grapes in house places it in the premium craft sour tier. For drinkers who value the intersection of brewing and winemaking technique, the 750ml format delivers strong value relative to comparable grape ales from other American craft producers.

Why Neon: Cabernet Sauvignon?

What separates this release from the broader wave of fruited sour ales is the winemaking-informed process at its core. Hopewell doesn't simply add grape juice to a finished beer — the team crushes fresh Michigan Cabernet Sauvignon grapes, manages skin contact time, and co-ferments the drawn-off juice alongside a mixed culture. That commitment to process produces a beer with genuine rosé character: dry, tannic, peppery, and layered with honest fruit rather than artificial sweetness. With a 4.0 Untappd rating and a loyal following among Chicago's craft beer community, Neon: Cabernet Sauvignon stands as a serious expression of what grape ales can be when treated with both brewing skill and viticultural respect.