Illuminated Fruit Creep 4Pk

Illuminated Fruit Creep 4Pk is a 7.5% ABV Double New England IPA sold in a four-pack from Chicago-based Illuminated Brew Works. Scoring a 91 on BeerAdvocate across 76 ratings, this double dry-hopped release has built a loyal following among haze enthusiasts, racking up over 11,200 ratings on Untappd with a 4 out of 5 average.

Quick Facts: ABV: 7.5%  |  Origin: Chicago, Illinois  |  Style: DNEIPA (Double New England IPA)  |  Brewery: Illuminated Brew Works

Production & Heritage

Illuminated Brew Works operates out of Chicago's northwest side at 6186 N Northwest Hwy, with Fruit Creep brewed at Great Central Brewing Company, also located in Chicago. The beer is double dry hopped with what the brewery describes as "a wasteful amount" of Motueka, Citra, and Mandarina Bavaria hops — a trio selected to layer tropical, citrus, and stone-fruit character into a plush, hazy base. Formerly released under the name Fruit Slave, the recipe was rebranded to Fruit Creep while retaining the same hop-forward, juice-bomb profile that earned its reputation in the competitive Chicago craft beer scene.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with an immediate wave of passion fruit and pineapple, followed by ripe peaches, mangos, and oranges. It reads like a tropical fruit stand, with the Motueka and Citra hops doing the heavy lifting on aromatics.

Taste: The first sip delivers bright lemon and grapefruit zest alongside juicy orange pulp and a soft bready malt backbone. The mid-palate expands into botanical and pineapple notes accented by bay leaf, cracker-like malt sweetness, floral esters, and ripe mango. The overall impression is both juicy and citrusy, with a nicely balanced structure that keeps it remarkably drinkable for its strength.

Finish: The finish is medium-long with a dry, lightly oily texture and subtle astringency from the generous hop load. Fruit peel spice lingers alongside a gentle boozy warmth that reminds you this is a double IPA.

How to Drink Fruit Creep

Pour Fruit Creep into a tulip glass or stemless wine glass at 40–45°F to let the aromatic hops fully bloom. This beer is built to drink fresh and unadorned — no garnish needed. For cocktail-adjacent serves: use it as the base in a Hazy Michelada, where its tropical character plays off lime and hot sauce; try a Beer-mosa by replacing traditional wheat beer with Fruit Creep for a hoppier brunch pour; or build a Hop Shandy by combining it with fresh-squeezed grapefruit juice to amplify the citrus notes already present.

Best For

• Sharing with friends at a backyard cookout or tailgate
• Gifting to a haze-obsessed craft beer collector
• Stocking a curated IPA tasting flight at home
• Pairing with spicy or grilled foods on a warm afternoon

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Fruit Creep taste like? Fruit Creep delivers a juicy, tropical profile dominated by pineapple, mango, passion fruit, and citrus, balanced by soft bready malt and a dry, lightly boozy finish. It drinks smoother than its 7.5% ABV suggests, with medium-plus body and moderate carbonation.

How does Fruit Creep compare to other Double New England IPAs? Fruit Creep distinguishes itself through its specific triple-hop combination of Motueka, Citra, and Mandarina Bavaria, which leans heavily into tropical and stone-fruit character rather than the pine or dank resin found in many West Coast-influenced doubles. Its 91 BeerAdvocate score and over 11,200 Untappd ratings place it among the more highly regarded DNEIPAs coming out of the Chicago brewing scene.

Is Fruit Creep good for sipping on its own? Absolutely — the balanced malt structure and medium body make it a satisfying standalone pour despite the generous hop charge. Drinking it fresh from a proper glass at cellar temperature is the ideal way to experience the full tropical aroma.

Where is Fruit Creep made? Fruit Creep is produced by Illuminated Brew Works, a Chicago, Illinois brewery, with brewing operations handled at Great Central Brewing Company, also located in Chicago.

What foods pair well with Fruit Creep? Grilled shrimp tacos complement the beer's citrus and tropical hop character. Spicy Thai green curry matches well because the malt sweetness tempers heat. A sharp cheddar or aged gouda can stand up to the hop intensity. Fish and chips benefit from the beer's citrus acidity cutting through fried batter. Mango or passion fruit sorbet creates a dessert pairing that echoes the beer's fruit-forward profile.

What sizes does Fruit Creep come in? Fruit Creep is sold as a four-pack of cans, which is the standard retail format for this release.

Is Fruit Creep worth the price? Fruit Creep positions as a premium craft DNEIPA, and its generous double dry-hopping process, strong community ratings, and 91-point BeerAdvocate score support its place in the upper tier of the style. For hop-forward beer enthusiasts, the quality-to-value ratio is competitive within the crowded hazy IPA market.

Why Fruit Creep?

The defining edge of Fruit Creep is the lavish double dry-hopping regimen using Motueka, Citra, and Mandarina Bavaria — three hops that individually are prized for tropical and citrus expression but in combination create a layered, multidimensional juice character that few single-hopped or dual-hopped hazies achieve. A 91-point BeerAdvocate score and over 11,200 Untappd check-ins confirm that this is not just hype — it is one of Chicago's more consistently well-received DNEIPAs. The medium-plus body and restrained bitterness keep it accessible despite its double IPA strength, making it a beer that rewards both casual drinkers and dedicated hop heads. For anyone exploring the best of what Chicago's craft scene produces, Fruit Creep is a benchmark worth seeking out.