Hopewell Ride or Die 12Pk

Hopewell Ride or Die 12Pk is a 12-pack of American Pale Ale brewed at 5.5% ABV by Hopewell Brewing Co. in Chicago, Illinois. Scoring 87 on BeerAdvocate and carrying over 8,500 ratings on Untappd, this sessionable pale ale has earned a loyal following for its bright hop character and balanced malt backbone.

Quick Facts: ABV: 5.5%  |  Origin: Chicago, Illinois  |  Style: American Pale Ale  |  Brewery: Hopewell Brewing Co.  |  Format: 12-Pack

Production & Heritage

Hopewell Brewing Co. operates out of the Logan Square neighborhood of Chicago at 2760 N Milwaukee Ave. The brewery has built its reputation on bright, balanced, easy-going beers that prioritize drinkability without sacrificing flavor. Ride or Die stands as the brewery's flagship pale ale — a straightforward expression of their brewing philosophy that pairs vivid American hop flavors with a restrained, pleasantly soft malt base.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Light caramel malt opens the nose, quickly joined by citrus peel and a resinous pine note. The overall impression is clean and inviting, with grapefruit dominating as it warms.

Taste: The entry is smooth and slightly creamy, moving into bread crust and caramel at mid-palate. Neon-bright grapefruit and pine flavors build through the peak, balanced by moderate bitterness that never overwhelms the malt structure. The body sits at a satisfying medium weight with good carbonation.

Finish: Dry and clean, with lingering citrus zest and pine resin that encourage the next sip. Bitterness fades evenly, leaving a refreshing impression rather than a heavy one.

How to Drink Ride or Die

Ride or Die is built for drinking straight from the can or poured into a shaker pint at around 45°F, where the hop aromatics open up without losing their crispness. Its balanced profile also makes it a reliable base for beer cocktails: a Shandy with fresh lemonade plays off the existing citrus notes; a Michelada benefits from the pine-forward bitterness cutting through tomato and lime; and a Radler with grapefruit soda doubles down on the beer's natural citrus character.

Best For

• Stocking a cooler for a backyard cookout or tailgate
• Introducing craft beer drinkers to a well-made American Pale Ale
• Pairing with grilled food at a summer gathering
• Keeping as a dependable everyday fridge beer

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Ride or Die taste like? Ride or Die delivers bright grapefruit and pine hop flavors over a soft caramel and bread-crust malt base, finishing dry with moderate bitterness and lingering citrus zest.

How does Ride or Die compare to Sierra Nevada Pale Ale? Both are classic American Pale Ales built on citrus and pine hop profiles, but Ride or Die tends toward a softer, creamier mouthfeel with slightly less aggressive bitterness than Sierra Nevada's more assertive, piney bite. Sierra Nevada's Pale Ale is widely regarded as the benchmark for the style at 5.6% ABV, while Ride or Die at 5.5% ABV leans into balance and easy drinkability.

Is Ride or Die good for beginners? Yes — its moderate 5.5% ABV, balanced bitterness, and approachable malt sweetness make it an excellent entry point into American Pale Ales without overwhelming new craft beer drinkers.

Where is Ride or Die made? Ride or Die is brewed by Hopewell Brewing Co. at their brewery in the Logan Square neighborhood of Chicago, Illinois, located at 2760 N Milwaukee Ave.

What foods pair well with Ride or Die? Grilled burgers and sausages match the malt backbone; fish tacos with citrus slaw echo the grapefruit notes; sharp cheddar cheese contrasts the hop bitterness; wood-fired pizza complements the bread-crust malt character; and spicy buffalo wings are tempered by the beer's moderate carbonation and dry finish.

What sizes does Ride or Die come in? Ride or Die is available in a 12-pack of cans, which is the format represented here; individual cans and other pack sizes may vary by market availability.

Is Ride or Die worth the price? Ride or Die positions as a solid mid-range craft pale ale — competitively placed among everyday drinking beers from independent breweries, delivering consistent quality and flavor that justify its craft price point over mass-market alternatives.

Why Ride or Die?

Ride or Die earns its name as a daily-driver pale ale by nailing the balance between vivid hop flavor and clean drinkability at a restrained 5.5% ABV. Its 87-point BeerAdvocate score and thousands of Untappd reviews confirm broad appeal across experienced and casual craft drinkers alike. Coming out of one of Logan Square's most respected taprooms, this is a neighborhood beer with city-wide credibility — a pale ale that rewards repeated drinking without ever feeling like a compromise.