18th Street Devil's Cup 4Pk

18th Street Devil's Cup 4Pk is a hop-forward American Pale Ale brewed in Indiana at 6.6% ABV, sold in a convenient four-pack format. Produced by 18th Street Brewery — voted the top brewpub in the nation by USA Today in 2019 — Devil's Cup delivers an assertive hop profile built on Mosaic and Summit hops that pushes the boundary between pale ale and IPA territory.

Quick Facts: ABV: 6.6%  |  Origin: Indiana, USA  |  Style: American Pale Ale  |  Brewery: 18th Street Brewery

Production & Heritage

18th Street Brewery was founded by Drew Fox in 2010, with brewing operations based in Gary and Hammond, Indiana. The brewery built its reputation on bold, uncompromising beers, and Devil's Cup exemplifies that approach. Hopped with Mosaic and Summit — a combination that delivers both tropical fruit aromatics and a spicy, resinous backbone — this pale ale rides the line between styles. As many craft beer observers have noted, the hop intensity and 6.6% ABV would have classified this as an IPA just fifteen years ago, but a sturdy malt backbone keeps it grounded in pale ale tradition.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Bright citrus leads the nose, with ruby grapefruit and tangerine giving way to tropical notes of mango, papaya, and passionfruit. A spicy, peppery hop character adds complexity underneath the fruit.

Taste: The entry is bready and caramel-forward, providing a solid malt foundation before the hops take over at mid-palate. Citrus flavors — especially grapefruit and orange — arrive alongside guava and tropical fruit esters. The bitterness is substantial for the style, teetering at the upper edge of pale ale territory without becoming brash, balanced by biscuit-like malt sweetness.

Finish: A short, clean bitterness gives way to a lingering dryness that encourages the next sip. Bitter grapefruit peel and a faint caramel warmth persist as the medium body and slightly oily mouthfeel fade.

How to Drink Devil's Cup

Devil's Cup is best served chilled at around 45–50°F to let the hop aromatics open up while keeping the malt backbone refreshing. Pour it into a tulip or shaker pint to capture the citrus and tropical aromas. For food-forward occasions, try it alongside spicy tacos where the grapefruit bitterness can cut through rich, seasoned meats. It also works as a base in a beer shandy, where its citrus-heavy hop profile blends naturally with fresh lemonade. A michelada-style preparation with lime, hot sauce, and a salted rim plays well against Devil's Cup's peppery hop spice.

Best For

• Backyard cookouts and grilling sessions where bold hop flavor matches smoky food
• Introducing hop-curious drinkers to assertive pale ales without full IPA intensity
• Pairing with spicy cuisine like Mexican, Thai, or Indian dishes
• Stocking a craft beer fridge with dependable, flavorful everyday drinking

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Devil's Cup taste like? Devil's Cup delivers bold citrus and tropical fruit flavors — especially grapefruit, mango, and passionfruit — layered over a bready, caramel malt base with a firm bitterness that lingers into a dry finish.

How does Devil's Cup compare to Sierra Nevada Pale Ale? Both are American Pale Ales with assertive hop character, but Devil's Cup leans more tropical and citrus-forward thanks to its Mosaic and Summit hop combination, while Sierra Nevada Pale Ale showcases the classic piney, floral profile of Cascade hops. Devil's Cup also runs slightly higher in ABV at 6.6% compared to Sierra Nevada's 5.6%, giving it a fuller body.

Is Devil's Cup good for craft beer beginners? Devil's Cup sits at the bolder end of the pale ale spectrum, so it works well for drinkers ready to explore hop-forward beers without jumping straight into a double IPA.

Where is Devil's Cup made? Devil's Cup is brewed by 18th Street Brewery, which operates out of Gary and Hammond, Indiana. The brewery was founded by Drew Fox in 2010 and has grown into one of the most recognized craft breweries in the Midwest.

What foods pair well with Devil's Cup? Grilled burgers and sausages benefit from the beer's citrus bitterness cutting through fat. Fish tacos with mango salsa echo the tropical hop notes. Sharp cheddar cheese contrasts the malt sweetness. Thai green curry matches the beer's spicy, peppery character. Pepperoni or sausage pizza pairs naturally with the caramel malt backbone and dry finish.

What sizes does Devil's Cup come in? Devil's Cup is available in a four-pack format, which is the standard offering from 18th Street Brewery for this expression.

Is Devil's Cup worth the price? Devil's Cup positions as a craft pale ale from an acclaimed independent brewery, placing it in the mid-range craft tier — a reasonable value given the hop complexity and the brewery's national recognition.

Why Devil's Cup?

Devil's Cup stands out in the crowded American Pale Ale field because it refuses to play it safe. The Mosaic and Summit hop pairing produces a layered citrus-and-tropical profile that many pale ales only hint at, while a serious malt backbone keeps the beer from drifting into one-dimensional hop territory. Coming from a brewery that USA Today named the nation's top brewpub in 2019, this is not a casual effort — it reflects a house style built on intensity and balance. For drinkers who want IPA-level flavor in a slightly more restrained, sessionable package, Devil's Cup fills that gap with confidence.