Pipeworks Lizard King Versus The Cryo 4Pk

Pipeworks Lizard King Versus The Cryo 4Pk is a 6% ABV American Pale Ale brewed with cryogenically processed Mosaic hops, sold in a four-pack of cans. This expression builds on the original Lizard King — rated 95/100 on BeerAdvocate and ranked among the Top 30 American Pale Ales — by swapping standard Mosaic hops for their Cryo counterpart, concentrating lupulin oils for a more intense hop experience.

Quick Facts: ABV: 6%  |  Origin: Chicago, Illinois  |  Style: American Pale Ale  |  Brewery: Pipeworks Brewing Company

Production & Heritage

Pipeworks Brewing Company operates out of the Hermosa neighborhood on Chicago's northwest side. The brewery earned a cult following through inventive, small-batch releases, and the Lizard King line remains one of its flagship series. Versus The Cryo takes the original Lizard King recipe and replaces conventional Mosaic hops with Cryo Mosaic — hops that are cryogenically frozen in a nitrogen-rich environment immediately after harvest. This process separates and preserves the concentrated lupulin glands, which contain the essential oils and resins responsible for aroma and flavor, yielding a purer, more vibrant hop expression than pellet or whole-leaf hops alone.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Berry and melon lead the nose, followed by floral and earthy undertones. A secondary wave of lemon zest and freshly baked bread adds depth and keeps the aromatics from becoming one-dimensional.

Taste: The entry is citrus-forward — lemon, key lime, and grapefruit — before transitioning into ripe blueberry and passion fruit at mid-palate. A grassy, dank hop character grounds the fruit, and mild bitterness provides structure without overwhelming the lighter malt backbone.

Finish: Medium in length with a clean, lightly resinous fade. Lingering notes of citrus pith and faint onion-like hop pungency round out the final impression.

How to Drink Lizard King Versus The Cryo

This pale ale is best enjoyed cold, straight from the can or poured into a tulip glass to amplify the Cryo Mosaic aromatics. At 6% ABV, it drinks easily on its own, but it also works in beer-based mixed drinks. A Hop Shandy — half beer, half fresh lemonade — leverages the existing citrus character. A Michelada benefits from the beer's fruit-forward profile cutting through the tomato and chile heat. A Beer Margarita (equal parts pale ale and frozen margarita) picks up extra tropical dimension from the passion fruit and berry notes.

Best For

• Hop-focused drinkers exploring cryogenic hop technology
• Side-by-side tastings alongside the original Lizard King
• Warm-weather cookouts and backyard sessions
• Gifting to fans of Chicago's independent craft beer scene

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Lizard King Versus The Cryo taste like? It delivers bright citrus flavors — lemon, key lime, grapefruit — layered with blueberry, passion fruit, and a dank, grassy hop backbone. The bitterness stays moderate, letting fruit and floral qualities dominate.

How does Lizard King Versus The Cryo compare to the original Lizard King? Both share the same base recipe and Mosaic hop variety, but the Cryo version uses cryogenically processed hops that concentrate lupulin oils, resulting in more pronounced tropical fruit and berry aromatics. The original Lizard King leans slightly more toward balanced, traditional hop bitterness.

Is Lizard King Versus The Cryo good for hop lovers? Yes — the Cryo Mosaic hops amplify the aromatic and flavor intensity of the hop without a proportional increase in bitterness, making it an excellent showcase for what modern hop processing can achieve.

Where is Lizard King Versus The Cryo made? It is brewed by Pipeworks Brewing Company in the Hermosa neighborhood of Chicago, Illinois. Pipeworks is an independent craft brewery known for creative, limited-release beers.

What foods pair well with Lizard King Versus The Cryo? Grilled fish tacos complement the citrus hop character. Spicy Thai green curry contrasts the beer's fruit-forward sweetness. A sharp white cheddar mirrors the dank, earthy notes. Fresh ceviche echoes the lime and tropical fruit, and a lemon tart plays off the bright citrus finish.

What sizes does Lizard King Versus The Cryo come in? It is commonly available as a four-pack of cans, which is the standard retail format for this release.

Is Lizard King Versus The Cryo worth the price? It positions in the mid-range craft beer tier, consistent with other specialty single-hop or Cryo-hopped pale ales. The use of premium cryogenic hop processing and the pedigree of the Lizard King line provide solid value for hop-curious drinkers.

Why Lizard King Versus The Cryo?

The defining feature here is the cryogenic hop treatment — a process that strips away vegetative plant material and isolates the aromatic lupulin, producing a cleaner, more concentrated hop flavor than traditional brewing methods. The parent recipe, Lizard King, already holds a 95/100 on BeerAdvocate, placing it among the most respected American Pale Ales in production. Versus The Cryo takes that proven foundation and pushes the Mosaic hop expression further, delivering intensified berry, citrus, and tropical fruit notes at a sessionable 6% ABV. For anyone who values hop complexity without the weight of a double IPA, this release makes a compelling case.