18th Street Candi Crushable 4Pk

18th Street Candi Crushable 4Pk is a lactose-infused American Pale Ale brewed in Hammond, Indiana, at 4.5% ABV. Developed in collaboration with Northdown Cafe & Taproom, this sessionable pale ale stands apart from the category by incorporating lactose sugar and flaked oats for a creamy, easy-drinking body that has earned a 3.7 rating on Untappd across more than 19,000 reviews.

Quick Facts: ABV: 4.5%  |  Origin: Hammond, Indiana  |  Style: Pale Ale with Lactose  |  Brewery: 18th Street Brewery

Production & Heritage

18th Street Brewery operates out of Hammond, Indiana, where it has built a reputation for inventive, boundary-pushing craft beer. Candi Crushable uses a grain bill featuring flaked oats alongside lactose sugar — an addition far more common in stouts and IPAs than in pale ales. The hop profile relies on Simcoe, Falconer's Flight, and Warrior hops, delivering citrus and tropical aromatics balanced against the soft sweetness of the lactose. The result is a 4.5% ABV pale ale engineered for extended drinking sessions without palate fatigue.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Orange and grapefruit lead the nose, followed by a layer of lemon zest and light vanilla. Underneath the fruity hops sits a subtle breadiness from the malt and oats.

Taste: The entry is soft and slightly sweet, with candied grapefruit and tropical fruit hitting first. Mid-palate, the lactose rounds things out with a creamy, lightly caramel quality, while pine resin and a gentle bitterness emerge toward the peak. The flaked oats give the body a smooth, medium-weight texture with ample carbonation.

Finish: Moderately short and clean, with lingering bittersweet notes of candied orange and a faint piney hop bite. The lactose sweetness fades evenly, leaving a dry enough impression to encourage the next sip.

How to Drink Candi Crushable

Serve cold — around 40–45°F — straight from the can or poured into a shaker pint. At 4.5% ABV, this beer is designed to be consumed without overthinking it.

• Shandy riff: Blend with fresh lemonade to amplify the citrus notes for a warm-weather cooler.
• Michelada: The creamy sweetness from the lactose balances well against lime, hot sauce, and Worcestershire in a savory beer cocktail.
• Beer float: Pour over a scoop of vanilla ice cream — the lactose and oat body create a natural affinity with dairy-based desserts.

Best For

• Backyard cookouts and day-long gatherings where low ABV matters
• Introducing hop-averse drinkers to the pale ale category
• Pairing with casual game-day snacks and appetizers
• Stocking a fridge with easy-drinking craft options for mixed company

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Candi Crushable taste like? Candi Crushable delivers candied grapefruit, tropical fruit, and light caramel sweetness up front, with a creamy, medium body from the lactose and flaked oats. It finishes clean with a mild pine bitterness rather than aggressive hop burn.

How does Candi Crushable compare to a standard American Pale Ale? Most American Pale Ales lean on hop bitterness and a dry finish, while Candi Crushable uses lactose sugar to introduce a soft, rounded sweetness uncommon in the style. It also sits at a lower 4.5% ABV, making it more sessionable than many pale ales that range from 5–6%.

Is Candi Crushable good for beginners? Yes — the lactose smooths out the hop bitterness that can be off-putting to new craft beer drinkers, and the 4.5% ABV keeps the experience approachable and light.

Where is Candi Crushable made? Candi Crushable is brewed by 18th Street Brewery in Hammond, Indiana. It was created as a collaboration with Northdown Cafe & Taproom.

What foods pair well with Candi Crushable? Grilled chicken or fish tacos complement the citrus hop notes. Soft pretzels with beer cheese mirror the creamy, malty body. Fresh fruit salads echo the tropical aromatics. Mild cheddar or gouda work with the lactose sweetness. Barbecue sliders balance the light bitterness with smoky, savory richness.

What sizes does Candi Crushable come in? Candi Crushable is available in a 4-pack format, the standard offering from 18th Street Brewery for this release.

Is Candi Crushable worth the price? Candi Crushable positions as an accessible, everyday craft pale ale — its lactose twist and low ABV make it a solid pickup for session drinking, and the 4-pack format fits comfortably within the entry-level craft beer price tier.

Why Candi Crushable?

Lactose in a pale ale is still a relatively uncommon move, and that single ingredient choice defines Candi Crushable's identity. Where most pale ales in this ABV range trade body for drinkability, the combination of lactose sugar and flaked oats gives this beer a creamy texture without weighing it down. Over 19,000 Untappd ratings at 3.7 out of 5 suggest consistent drinker approval rather than hype-driven buzz. For anyone seeking a pale ale that softens the bitter edges while keeping the tropical and citrus hop character intact, this Indiana-brewed collaboration fills a gap that most breweries overlook.