Wild Onion Hop Slayer 6Pk

Wild Onion Hop Slayer 6Pk is a high-intensity Imperial IPA brewed in Lake Barrington, Illinois, arriving at 8.2% ABV and 99 IBUs in a six-pack format. Built on five Pacific Northwest hop varieties layered over a sturdy malt backbone, Hop Slayer stands out among Midwestern double IPAs for its aggressive bitterness balanced by genuine malt sweetness.

Quick Facts: ABV: 8.2%  |  IBU: 99  |  Origin: Lake Barrington, Illinois, USA  |  Style: Imperial IPA  |  Brewery: Wild Onion Brewery

Production & Heritage

Wild Onion Brewery operates out of Lake Barrington in Illinois's Lake County, producing a range of ales and lagers with a reputation rooted in the greater Chicagoland craft beer scene. Hop Slayer's grain bill combines English and North American pale malts with Caramel Pils, providing a honeyed malt body substantial enough to support 99 IBUs without turning harsh. Five distinct Pacific Northwest hop varieties are used across the brewing process, delivering layered bitterness that hits up front before giving way to citrus and earthy characteristics. The result is a double IPA that prioritizes hop complexity over single-note bitterness.

Tasting Notes

Appearance: Pours a hazy, murky orange with an off-white head that leaves moderate lacing on the glass.

Aroma: Dry orange citrus hops dominate the nose, followed by resinous pine and a subtle spice note from the hop blend. A faint honeyed malt sweetness rounds out the background.

Taste: The entry is a wave of upfront bitterness that gives way to dry pine and bright orange citrus at mid-palate. Minty hop notes weave through a solid malt body carrying honey-like sweetness. The five-hop blend creates a layered flavor that shifts between juicy, resinous, and earthy tones as the beer warms.

Finish: Medium-long with lingering bitterness and a slight drying effect. The citrus and pine fade slowly, leaving a clean but assertive hop impression.

How to Drink Hop Slayer

Serve Hop Slayer at 45–50°F in a tulip glass or snifter to concentrate the hop aromatics and allow the malt sweetness to emerge. Pouring too cold will mute the citrus and spice nuances that define the beer. A Boilermaker pairing with a clean American whiskey creates an interesting contrast between the hop bitterness and the spirit's caramel warmth. A Hop Slayer Shandy — cut with fresh grapefruit juice — tames the IBUs while amplifying the citrus character for warm-weather sessions. For a beer cocktail twist, try a Hop Slayer Michelada with lime, hot sauce, and a salted rim, where the pine bitterness plays against the savory heat.

Best For

• Hop-forward beer enthusiasts exploring aggressive Midwest IPAs
• Game-day gatherings where a high-ABV beer replaces quantity with quality
• Gifting to a craft beer collector who values regional breweries
• Pairing experiments alongside grilled meats and bold, spicy dishes

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Hop Slayer taste like? Hop Slayer leads with assertive pine and orange citrus bitterness supported by a honey-sweet malt body, finishing with a lingering, dry hop bite at 99 IBUs.

How does Hop Slayer compare to Bell's Hopslam? Both are double IPAs, but Hopslam leans into honey additions and comes in at roughly 10% ABV as a seasonal release, while Hop Slayer sits at 8.2% ABV with a drier malt profile built on five hop varieties and Caramel Pils malt for year-round availability.

Is Hop Slayer good for hopheads? At 99 IBUs and 8.2% ABV with five Pacific Northwest hop varieties, Hop Slayer is specifically designed for drinkers who want aggressive, multi-dimensional hop bitterness rather than a restrained approach.

Where is Hop Slayer made? Hop Slayer is brewed by Wild Onion Brewery in Lake Barrington, Illinois, located in the greater Chicagoland area within Lake County.

What foods pair well with Hop Slayer? Spicy buffalo wings work well, as the hop bitterness cuts through the heat. Aged cheddar or Gruyère contrasts the citrus notes with rich, nutty fat. Grilled burgers with caramelized onions echo the malt sweetness. A citrus-dressed arugula salad mirrors the orange peel aromatics. Bold barbecue brisket matches the beer's intensity without being overwhelmed.

What sizes does Hop Slayer come in? Hop Slayer is available in a six-pack format, typically consisting of 12 oz bottles.

Is Hop Slayer worth the price? Hop Slayer positions as a mid-range craft Imperial IPA, and its 8.2% ABV, 99 IBUs, and five-hop complexity deliver strong value within the double IPA category compared to many single-hop or limited-release competitors at higher price points.

Why Hop Slayer?

What separates Hop Slayer from the crowded Imperial IPA field is its five-hop layering strategy — rather than relying on a single headline variety, Wild Onion Brewery blends multiple Pacific Northwest hops to create bitterness that evolves across the palate from pine resin to orange citrus to earthy spice. The Caramel Pils and English pale malt foundation provides enough sweetness to keep 99 IBUs from becoming punishing, a balance many double IPAs at this bitterness level fail to achieve. As a year-round offering from an established Illinois brewery, Hop Slayer fills a specific niche for Midwest craft drinkers seeking a reliably aggressive, full-bodied IPA without chasing seasonal or limited releases.