Mikerphone Sunshine In A Bag 4Pk

Mikerphone Sunshine In A Bag 4Pk is a hazy pale ale brewed with Citra hops and orange peel, packaged as a four-pack at 5.0% ABV. Produced by Mikerphone Brewing — recognized as Best New Brewery in Illinois by RateBeer in 2015 and named one of the Best New Breweries in the World by BeerAdvocate Magazine the same year — this sessionable release delivers concentrated citrus flavor in a light, approachable format.

Quick Facts: ABV: 5.0%  |  Origin: Elk Grove Village, Illinois, USA  |  Style: New England / Hazy Pale Ale  |  Brewery: Mikerphone Brewing

Production & Heritage

Mikerphone Brewing launched in Elk Grove Village, a Chicago suburb, quickly earning national attention for bold, flavorful beers built around a music-inspired creative philosophy. Founder Mike Pallen draws direct parallels between songwriting and recipe development, treating each release as a chapter in a larger narrative — a concept reflected in every beer name, tap handle, and label design. Sunshine In A Bag follows the New England pale ale approach: hazy, unfiltered, and hopped prominently with Citra, one of the most aromatic American hop varieties, while real orange peel reinforces the citrus backbone without veering into artificial territory.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Bright tangerine and grapefruit zest lead, followed by softer notes of tropical fruit and a faint floral lift from the Citra hops. The orange peel addition is apparent but restrained, adding a fresh, natural quality.

Taste: The entry is soft and juicy, with ripe orange and light mango giving way to a moderate hop bitterness at mid-palate. A gentle wheat-like body supports the citrus without adding heaviness, and the 5.0% ABV keeps everything clean and easy to drink.

Finish: Short to medium in length, with lingering citrus pith and a dry, lightly bitter close. There is no cloying sweetness — it wraps up crisp and encourages the next sip.

How to Drink Sunshine In A Bag

Best served cold, straight from the can or poured into a tulip glass to release the hop aromatics. Its lower ABV and bright character also make it a strong base for beer cocktails. A Citrus Shandy — blending it with fresh lemonade — amplifies the orange peel notes. A Michelada variation works surprisingly well, where the hazy body pairs with lime, hot sauce, and Tajín. A simple Beergarita (frozen with tequila and lime juice) takes advantage of the built-in citrus and keeps the drink light.

Best For

• Warm-weather cookouts where a sessionable, flavorful beer outperforms macro lagers
• Introducing a craft beer newcomer to the hazy pale ale style at an approachable ABV
• Pairing with casual fare like tacos, grilled chicken, or fish and chips
• Stocking a weekend cooler with something more interesting than standard light beer

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Sunshine In A Bag taste like? It delivers a juicy, citrus-forward flavor profile dominated by tangerine and orange, with a soft mouthfeel and moderate hop bitterness that finishes clean and dry.

How does Sunshine In A Bag compare to Sierra Nevada Hazy Little Thing? Both are hazy, citrus-driven pale ales designed for easy drinking, but Sunshine In A Bag uses actual orange peel alongside Citra hops, giving it a more pronounced fresh-orange character, while Hazy Little Thing leans more toward tropical and stone fruit from its hop blend. Sunshine In A Bag is also slightly lower in ABV at 5.0% compared to Hazy Little Thing's 6.7%.

Is Sunshine In A Bag good for beginners? Yes — the 5.0% ABV, smooth body, and bright citrus flavors make it one of the more accessible entries into the hazy pale ale style without the bitterness that can deter newcomers.

Where is Sunshine In A Bag made? It is brewed by Mikerphone Brewing in Elk Grove Village, Illinois, a suburb northwest of Chicago. The brewery has operated from this location since its founding and distributes primarily across the greater Illinois market.

What foods pair well with Sunshine In A Bag? Fish tacos benefit from the citrus echo between the beer and a squeeze of lime. Grilled shrimp skewers match the light body and bright acidity. A summer corn salad with cotija cheese contrasts the hop bitterness nicely. Thai green papaya salad mirrors the tropical undertones, and a simple margherita pizza lets the beer's citrus character shine alongside fresh basil and mozzarella.

What sizes does Sunshine In A Bag come in? It is available as a four-pack of cans, the standard format for Mikerphone Brewing's rotating and seasonal releases.

Is Sunshine In A Bag worth the price? It positions as a craft-tier hazy pale ale — priced above macro lagers but in line with comparable independent brewery four-packs. The use of real orange peel and single-variety Citra hopping delivers noticeable quality for the style and ABV range.

Why Sunshine In A Bag?

Mikerphone Brewing built its reputation on creative, full-flavored beers that punch above their weight, and Sunshine In A Bag is a clear example of that philosophy applied to a sessionable format. The combination of Citra hops and real orange peel is specific and intentional — two complementary citrus sources rather than a generic hop blend. At 5.0% ABV it occupies a sweet spot where flavor density does not come at the cost of drinkability. For anyone looking for a hazy pale ale with genuine character from a brewery that earned national recognition within its first year of operation, this four-pack delivers.