Hopewell Neon: Mixed Melon 750ML

Hopewell Neon: Mixed Melon 750ML is a mixed-culture, bottle-conditioned sour ale brewed with melon by Hopewell Brewing Co. in Chicago, Illinois, sold in a 750ml bottle. Part of the brewery's ongoing Neon series — a line of fruited sour ales explicitly inspired by the effervescence and spontaneity of pét-nat wines — the Mixed Melon release channels ripe melon character through the lens of wild fermentation.

Quick Facts: Style: Fruited Sour Ale  |  Origin: Chicago, Illinois, USA  |  Format: 750ml Bottle-Conditioned  |  Brewery: Hopewell Brewing Co.

Production & Heritage

Hopewell Brewing Co. operates out of Chicago's Logan Square neighborhood. The Neon series represents the brewery's exploration of mixed-culture fermentation — each release undergoes a slow, complex fermentation involving a blend of yeast and bacteria strains before being conditioned in the bottle, where natural carbonation develops over time. This approach parallels the winemaking philosophy behind pétillant naturel wines, prioritizing texture, living carbonation, and fruit expression over heavy-handed souring. The Mixed Melon edition layers melon fruit onto that tart, effervescent base, producing a beer that sits at the intersection of farmhouse brewing and natural winemaking.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Fresh cantaloupe and honeydew melon are immediate, underscored by a subtle lactic tang and a faint yeast-driven earthiness. The overall impression is bright and fruit-forward, more reminiscent of a melon sorbet than a traditional sour ale.

Taste: The entry is soft and fruity, with ripe melon sweetness that quickly gives way to a balanced tartness at mid-palate. Mixed-culture fermentation lends a dry, slightly funky backbone that keeps the sweetness in check. The natural carbonation from bottle conditioning lifts the fruit character and adds a gentle prickle throughout.

Finish: Moderately dry with a clean, tart close that echoes honeydew rind and a whisper of yeast. Refreshing and brisk, inviting the next sip without lingering heaviness.

How to Drink Neon: Mixed Melon

Serve chilled, ideally around 45–50°F, in a tulip glass or wine glass to concentrate the melon aromatics and showcase the bottle-conditioned effervescence. This sour ale is designed to be enjoyed on its own, much like a pét-nat wine, but it also works well in beer-cocktail applications: try it in a Berliner Shandy with a splash of lemon juice and honey syrup for a bright warm-weather drink; use it in a Sour Radler blended with sparkling grapefruit soda for an easy, low-ABV refresher; or mix it into a Melon Sour Spritz topped with a float of elderflower liqueur and a mint sprig for added complexity.

Best For

• Gifting a craft beer enthusiast who appreciates wild ales and natural wine crossover
• Opening as a shared bottle at a summer dinner party or picnic
• Pairing alongside a cheese board or light brunch spread
• Introducing curious wine drinkers to the world of mixed-culture sour ales

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Neon: Mixed Melon taste like? It delivers ripe cantaloupe and honeydew melon flavors balanced by a clean lactic tartness and dry, funky undertones from mixed-culture fermentation. Bottle conditioning provides a lively, natural effervescence that keeps the beer refreshing.

How does Neon: Mixed Melon compare to Jester King's fruited sour ales? Both breweries use mixed-culture fermentation and emphasize fruit character, but Hopewell's Neon series is directly inspired by pét-nat wines and tends toward a lighter, more effervescent drinking experience. Jester King's farmhouse sours, produced in the Texas Hill Country, often lean further into barrel-aged funk and terroir-driven complexity.

Is Neon: Mixed Melon good for sipping on its own? Absolutely — the Neon series is conceived as a standalone drinking experience, designed to be opened and poured like a bottle of pétillant naturel wine. Its balance of fruit, acidity, and natural carbonation makes it an engaging sipper without any additions.

Where is Neon: Mixed Melon made? It is brewed by Hopewell Brewing Co. in the Logan Square neighborhood of Chicago, Illinois. All Neon series releases are produced at the brewery's Chicago facility.

What foods pair well with Neon: Mixed Melon? Fresh goat cheese or burrata complement the beer's acidity and melon sweetness. Prosciutto-wrapped melon mirrors the fruit character directly. Ceviche or crudo benefit from the tartness cutting through the fish's richness. Light salads with citrus vinaigrette match the brightness, and soft-ripened cheeses like Brie provide a creamy counterpoint to the effervescence.

What sizes does Neon: Mixed Melon come in? The standard format for the Neon series is a 750ml bottle, consistent with its pét-nat wine–inspired presentation.

Is Neon: Mixed Melon worth the price? It positions as a specialty craft release within the American sour ale category, reflecting the time-intensive mixed-culture fermentation and bottle-conditioning process. For drinkers drawn to natural wine aesthetics and complex fruited sours, the 750ml format offers a shareable, occasion-worthy bottle at a craft-premium tier.

Why Neon: Mixed Melon?

The Neon series occupies a distinctive niche in American craft beer — it is explicitly modeled after pétillant naturel wines rather than Belgian sour traditions, giving each release a character that feels closer to a natural wine bar than a taproom. Mixed-culture fermentation and true bottle conditioning are labor-intensive processes that relatively few American breweries commit to across a recurring series. The Mixed Melon edition channels that production philosophy through ripe melon fruit, delivering a sour ale that is tart, dry, and effervescent without relying on heavy fruit-puree sweetness. For anyone seeking a bridge between craft beer and natural wine, this bottle makes a compelling argument.