Illuminated Brony 4Pk

Illuminated Brony 4Pk is a double dry hopped Double IPA from Illuminated Brew Works in Chicago, clocking in at 7.5% ABV. Scoring a 90 on BeerAdvocate, Brony has earned a loyal following among haze enthusiasts drawn to its expressive tropical and citrus hop profile built on a unique four-hop combination.

Quick Facts: ABV: 7.5%  |  Origin: Chicago, Illinois  |  Style: DDH Double IPA  |  Brewery: Illuminated Brew Works

Production & Heritage

Illuminated Brew Works operates out of Chicago's Northwest Highway corridor and has been recognized by the Brewers Association as one of the fastest growing breweries in America. Brony is built on a grist of 2-row malt and flaked oats, delivering the pillowy, creamy mouthfeel that defines the modern hazy DIPA style. The double dry hopping process layers Huell Melon and Rakau alongside Motueka and Citra — a less conventional hop quartet that pushes the beer beyond standard tropical territory into melon, stone fruit, and orchard fruit dimensions rarely found in a single pour.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Fresh tangerine and ripe cantaloupe melon hit first, followed by waves of grapefruit zest and a subtle green grape sweetness. The nose is generous and juice-forward without any harsh resinous edge.

Taste: The entry is soft and creamy, immediately delivering bursts of orange and lemon citrus. Mid-palate, melon and strawberry notes emerge with a sticky, almost nectar-like sweetness. Bitterness is virtually absent, letting the fruit-driven hop character dominate through the peak.

Finish: Medium in length with a smooth, rounded texture that stays juicy rather than drying out. Lingering impressions of orchard fruit and soft citrus pith fade gently, inviting the next sip.

How to Drink Brony

Brony is best enjoyed fresh and cold, poured into a tulip glass or stemless wine glass to concentrate the aromatic hop oils. Drinking it straight from the can works well too — the creamy body and low bitterness make it an approachable standalone sipper. For a Hazy IPA Shandy, mix half Brony with fresh lemonade for a crushable warm-weather drink that amplifies the citrus. A Michelada variation works surprisingly well here — the melon and tropical notes play against lime, hot sauce, and Tajín without fighting the spice. For a Beer-a-Rita, blend Brony with frozen mango and a splash of triple sec, where the oat-driven body provides silky texture alongside the fruit.

Best For

• Stocking the fridge for a backyard cookout with fellow craft beer fans
• Introducing a hop-curious friend to the hazy DIPA style without overwhelming bitterness
• Bringing a standout local four-pack to a beer share or tasting party
• Pairing with a weekend taco spread or grilled seafood dinner

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Brony taste like? Brony delivers a juicy, fruit-forward experience dominated by tangerine, melon, grapefruit, and orchard fruit with a creamy, smooth body and virtually no perceivable bitterness. It drinks closer to fresh-squeezed tropical juice than a traditional bitter IPA.

How does Brony compare to other hazy Double IPAs? Brony distinguishes itself through its unusual hop bill — Huell Melon and Rakau are far less common in the hazy DIPA world than the ubiquitous Citra-Mosaic combination, yielding a more melon-and-stone-fruit-driven profile than most peers. At 7.5% ABV it sits in the moderate range for the style, making it more sessionable than many double IPAs that push toward 8-9%.

Is Brony good for beginners? Yes — the complete absence of harsh bitterness and its smooth, creamy mouthfeel make Brony one of the more approachable double IPAs available, especially for drinkers who enjoy fruit-forward flavors but are wary of the hoppy bite found in West Coast styles.

Where is Brony made? Brony is brewed by Illuminated Brew Works at their facility on North Northwest Highway in Chicago, Illinois. The brewery has been recognized by the Brewers Association as one of the fastest growing breweries in America.

What foods pair well with Brony? Fish tacos with mango salsa complement the beer's tropical and melon notes. Grilled shrimp with citrus glaze echoes the tangerine and grapefruit character. Thai green curry works well, as the creamy oat body tempers the heat while the fruity hops mirror lemongrass and lime. A summer caprese salad with heirloom tomatoes matches the beer's fresh, juicy personality. Soft, mild cheeses like burrata or fresh mozzarella let the hop aromatics take center stage.

What sizes does Brony come in? Brony is available in a 4-pack format, which is the standard offering from Illuminated Brew Works for this expression.

Is Brony worth the price? Brony positions as a premium craft DIPA from a respected independent Chicago brewery, and its 90-point BeerAdvocate rating and nearly universal praise for drinkability place it firmly in the upper tier of the style at its price point. For fans of hazy, juice-bomb double IPAs, the distinctive four-hop combination delivers genuine differentiation rather than a me-too haze.

Why Brony?

What separates Brony from the crowded hazy DIPA field is its hop architecture. While most breweries lean on familiar Citra-Mosaic-Galaxy combinations, Illuminated Brew Works pairs the melon-forward German Huell Melon and New Zealand's tropical Rakau with the lime-zest brightness of Motueka and the proven citrus punch of Citra. That four-hop interplay, layered through a double dry hop process onto a pillowy oat-and-2-row base, creates a beer that reads as genuinely distinct on the palate. A 90-point BeerAdvocate score and over 8,000 Untappd ratings confirm that the brewing community has taken notice — Brony has earned its reputation through execution, not hype.