Illuminated Junior Astronaut 4Pk

Illuminated Junior Astronaut 4Pk is a 6.0% ABV hazy New England-style IPA from Chicago's Illuminated Brew Works, sold in a four-pack of 16 oz cans. Brewed with the same Mosaic and Pacifica hop bill as the brewery's popular Astronaut Juice and Astronaut Eye Scream, Junior Astronaut delivers a similarly fruit-forward profile at a lighter, more sessionable strength.

Quick Facts: ABV: 6.0%  |  Origin: Chicago, Illinois  |  Style: Hazy / New England IPA  |  Brewery: Illuminated Brew Works

Production & Heritage

Illuminated Brew Works operates out of its facility at 6186 N Northwest Hwy on Chicago's Northwest Side. Junior Astronaut was conceived as a more approachable, everyday counterpart to the brewery's bigger Astronaut-series beers. By retaining the Mosaic and Pacifica hop combination but dialing back the ABV to a manageable 6.0%, the brewing team created what they describe as a "crushable" IPA — one that keeps the tropical, citrus-driven hop character intact while remaining a comfortable session companion.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with resinous pine and grapefruit zest before rolling into layers of orange peel, lemon, and floral esters. Underneath, subtle notes of toasted crackers and a faint herbal quality — almost like bay leaves and fresh-cut grass — add complexity.

Taste: A brief wave of sweet, biscuity malt gives way quickly to a rush of citrus hops. Orange, tangerine, mango, and pineapple dominate the mid-palate, with supporting hits of melon, papaya, and guava lending a juicy, tropical sweetness. There is minimal perceived bitterness despite the hop-forward profile, and a faint diesel-like undertone emerges on the back end, characteristic of Mosaic hops.

Finish: Medium-bodied with a surprisingly dry, lightly bitter close that keeps the beer from feeling heavy or cloying. The 6.0% ABV hides remarkably well, leaving clean citrus and herbal impressions that invite the next sip.

How to Drink Junior Astronaut

Pour cold into a tulip glass or drink straight from the can — either way, the aromatic hop character comes through clearly. Junior Astronaut is built for uncomplicated enjoyment on its own, but its citrus-forward profile also plays well in beer-based mixed drinks. A Beermosa made with fresh-squeezed orange juice amplifies the existing tropical notes. A Michelada benefits from the beer's juicy body balancing the spice and lime. A Shandy blended with lemonade stretches the session even further without losing hop character.

Best For

• Backyard cookouts and warm-weather day drinking where a full-strength DIPA feels excessive
• Introducing a friend to hazy IPAs without overwhelming bitterness
• Stocking a cooler for a weekend camping trip or tailgate
• Pairing with grilled foods where tropical hop character complements char and smoke

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Junior Astronaut taste like? Junior Astronaut leads with juicy citrus and tropical fruit — orange, mango, pineapple, and grapefruit — over a light biscuity malt backbone, finishing dry with minimal bitterness.

How does Junior Astronaut compare to Astronaut Juice? Both beers share the same Mosaic and Pacifica hop bill, but Junior Astronaut is brewed to a lower 6.0% ABV, making it lighter-bodied and more sessionable than its bigger sibling while maintaining a similar tropical hop profile.

Is Junior Astronaut good for beginners? Yes — its restrained bitterness, approachable 6.0% ABV, and fruit-forward flavor make it an excellent entry point for drinkers curious about hazy IPAs.

Where is Junior Astronaut made? Junior Astronaut is brewed by Illuminated Brew Works at their brewery located at 6186 N Northwest Hwy in Chicago, Illinois.

What foods pair well with Junior Astronaut? Grilled chicken tacos, where the citrus hops echo fresh lime; fish and chips, where the dry finish cuts through fried richness; a mango and avocado salad that mirrors the beer's tropical notes; spicy Thai noodles balanced by the beer's juicy sweetness; and sharp cheddar, which contrasts the hop fruitiness.

What sizes does Junior Astronaut come in? Junior Astronaut is available in four-packs of 16 oz cans.

Is Junior Astronaut worth the price? Junior Astronaut positions as a craft four-pack in the accessible tier of the hazy IPA market, delivering the hop complexity of the Astronaut series at a more sessionable, everyday-friendly strength — solid value for a well-made Chicago hazy.

Why Junior Astronaut?

What makes Junior Astronaut worth reaching for is intention: Illuminated Brew Works didn't water down a bigger recipe but rather calibrated the same Mosaic and Pacifica hop combination to shine at 6.0% ABV. The result is a hazy IPA that delivers genuine tropical complexity — not a watered-down impression of one. For drinkers who enjoy the Astronaut series but want something they can comfortably drink through a long afternoon, Junior Astronaut fills that gap without asking you to sacrifice flavor. It's a focused, well-executed session hazy from a Chicago brewery that clearly understands what these hops can do at any strength.