Mikerphone Alternative Tracks 4Pk

Mikerphone Alternative Tracks 4Pk is a double dry-hopped IPA from Mikerphone Brewing in Elk Grove Village, Illinois, at 7.0% ABV. Scoring a 94 on BeerAdvocate, this hazy IPA has earned serious credibility among hop-forward beer drinkers thanks to its bold Citra and Vic Secret hop combination.

Quick Facts: ABV: 7.0%  |  Origin: Elk Grove Village, Illinois  |  Style: Double Dry-Hopped IPA  |  Brewery: Mikerphone Brewing

Production & Heritage

Mikerphone Brewing operates out of Elk Grove Village, a suburb northwest of Chicago, and has built a devoted following around music-themed releases and hop-driven styles. Alternative Tracks is double dry-hopped with Citra and Vic Secret, two hop varieties known for layering tropical fruit intensity with dank, resinous undertones. The double dry-hopping process adds hops after primary fermentation in two separate additions, maximizing aromatic oils while keeping harsh bitterness in check — a technique that gives this IPA its signature juicy, hazy character.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Pours an opaque, pineapple-juice gold beneath a creamy, persistent white head. The nose opens with bright tropical fruit — passion fruit and mango skin — followed by lemon citrus, grapefruit, and a subtle undercurrent of white grape and pear.

Taste: The entry is immediately juicy, with tangy tropical fruit flooding the palate. Mid-palate, passion fruit and grapefruit dominate, supported by grassy, green hop character. The body is full and remarkably creamy, with a thick mouthfeel that carries a pleasant resinous quality without feeling heavy.

Finish: Moderate bitterness emerges at the close, balancing the fruit-forward sweetness with a clean, slightly tangy exit. Lingering notes of citrus pith and green hop linger just long enough to invite another sip.

How to Drink Alternative Tracks

Pour cold — around 40–45°F — into a tulip glass or wide-mouth pint to release the aromatic hop oils. This IPA is built for drinking fresh and doesn't need embellishment. A Michelada-style riff using Alternative Tracks, lime juice, and a pinch of Tajín plays well off the tropical fruit character. A Hop Shandy pairing it with fresh lemonade makes a sessionable warm-weather drink. For a beer cocktail, a Beermosa substituting Alternative Tracks for the usual wheat beer adds depth and hop-driven complexity to the classic brunch serve.

Best For

• Stocking a craft beer fridge for hop-obsessed friends
• Backyard cookouts where juicy, aromatic IPAs shine
• Introducing someone to the hazy IPA style with a well-rated example
• Gifting a fellow craft beer enthusiast exploring Illinois breweries

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Alternative Tracks taste like? Alternative Tracks delivers a juicy, tropical-forward flavor profile dominated by passion fruit, grapefruit, and citrus, with a full, creamy body and moderate hop bitterness on the finish.

How does Alternative Tracks compare to Mikerphone Check 1, 2? Both are hop-forward offerings from Mikerphone Brewing, but Alternative Tracks uses a specific Citra and Vic Secret double dry-hop combination that leans more tropical and resinous. Check 1, 2 is another popular Mikerphone IPA, though the hop bills differ between the two, giving each a distinct aromatic fingerprint.

Is Alternative Tracks good for sipping on its own? Absolutely — the thick, juicy mouthfeel and layered tropical hop character make it a satisfying standalone pour, especially when served cold in a proper glass to capture the aroma.

Where is Alternative Tracks made? Alternative Tracks is brewed by Mikerphone Brewing in Elk Grove Village, Illinois, a suburb located northwest of Chicago in the greater Chicagoland area.

What foods pair well with Alternative Tracks? Spicy fish tacos with mango salsa complement the tropical hop notes. Grilled chicken with a citrus glaze mirrors the beer's grapefruit and lemon character. Thai green curry works against the creamy body and resinous hops. Sharp cheddar or pepper jack cheese stands up to the bitterness. Carnitas with pickled onion balances the juicy sweetness with acidity.

What sizes does Alternative Tracks come in? Alternative Tracks is available in a 4-pack of cans, the standard format for this release from Mikerphone Brewing.

Is Alternative Tracks worth the price? With a 94 score on BeerAdvocate and a 4.2 rating on Untappd across thousands of reviews, Alternative Tracks positions as a premium craft IPA that punches well above many competitors in the hazy IPA category, offering genuine complexity for its price tier.

Why Alternative Tracks?

A 94 on BeerAdvocate puts Alternative Tracks in elite company among hazy IPAs, and the specific pairing of Citra and Vic Secret hops in a double dry-hopped process is what gives this beer its distinctive tropical-resinous identity. Mikerphone Brewing has carved out a reputation in the competitive Illinois craft scene by focusing on hop-forward styles with real personality rather than formula. The thick, creamy body and tangy, fruit-saturated palate demonstrate a brewery operating at a high level with its water chemistry and hopping technique. For drinkers who want a hazy IPA that delivers genuine flavor depth and has the critical consensus to back it up, this one earns its spot.