18th Street Rise of the Angels 4Pk

18th Street Rise of the Angels 4Pk is a 7.7% ABV Double India Pale Ale brewed with grapefruit zest, Simcoe hops, and Citra hops, sold in a 4-pack. Scoring 87 ("Very Good") on BeerAdvocate and carrying a 3.9 rating across more than 20,000 Untappd check-ins, this Indiana-brewed imperial IPA has built a loyal following with its unapologetic citrus intensity.

Quick Facts: ABV: 7.7%  |  Origin: Hammond/Gary, Indiana  |  Style: Double IPA with Grapefruit Zest  |  Brewery: 18th Street Brewery

Production & Heritage

18th Street Brewery operates out of Hammond and Gary, Indiana, and was named the best new brewery in Indiana by RateBeer in 2013. The brewery was also recognized by USA Today as the best brewpub in the country. Rise of the Angels is an unfiltered Double IPA that incorporates real grapefruit zest into the brew alongside generous additions of Simcoe and Citra hops — a combination that layers botanical citrus from the fruit over the resinous and tropical character of the hops. Because the beer is unfiltered, some sediment may naturally occur in the can.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with an immediate wave of grapefruit pith and fresh citrus zest. Behind that, floral hop aromatics and hints of tropical fruit — mango and ripe orange — round out a fragrant, inviting profile.

Taste: It bursts onto the palate with a pronounced grapefruit zest punch that arrives before the hops even register. The mid-palate broadens into layers of orange, mango, and a subtle bubblegum-like sweetness that offsets the citrus bite. A firm but controlled bitterness from the Simcoe and Citra additions keeps the malt backbone in check without veering into astringency.

Finish: Medium-to-full in body, the finish lingers with resinous hop bitterness and drying grapefruit pith. The mouthfeel carries weight without heaviness, and a final floral note fades slowly.

How to Drink Rise of the Angels

Pour into a tulip glass or IPA glass at around 45–50°F to let the grapefruit aromatics fully open up; drinking straight from the can mutes the complex nose. For cocktail-adjacent serves, try a Hop Shandy by blending it with fresh lemonade for a bitter-citrus summer drink, a Michelada variation where the grapefruit zest complements lime and hot sauce naturally, or a Beermosa with fresh-squeezed grapefruit juice to double down on the citrus character.

Best For

• Sharing with fellow hop enthusiasts during a backyard cookout
• Introducing a citrus-forward twist to a craft beer tasting lineup
• Pairing alongside spicy grilled foods where bitterness and fruit cut through heat
• Gifting to a DIPA fan looking for something beyond the standard hop bomb

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Rise of the Angels taste like? Rise of the Angels leads with an intense grapefruit zest punch, followed by layers of orange, mango, and floral hop character. The bitterness is present but balanced by a subtle malt sweetness and medium-to-full body.

How does Rise of the Angels compare to Ballast Point Grapefruit Sculpin? Both beers use real grapefruit in a hop-forward IPA, but Rise of the Angels is classified as a Double IPA at 7.7% ABV and uses a Simcoe/Citra hop bill, while Grapefruit Sculpin is a standard American IPA at approximately 7% ABV. Rise of the Angels tends toward a fuller body and more aggressive citrus zest character on the palate.

Is Rise of the Angels good for IPA beginners? Its grapefruit zest and tropical fruit notes make the bitterness more approachable than many imperial IPAs, though at 7.7% ABV and a firmly bitter profile, it still leans toward experienced hop drinkers.

Where is Rise of the Angels made? Rise of the Angels is brewed by 18th Street Brewery, which operates brewpub and production locations in Hammond and Gary, Indiana.

What foods pair well with Rise of the Angels? Grilled shrimp tacos with mango salsa echo the beer's tropical notes; spicy Thai dishes benefit from the grapefruit bitterness cutting through heat; a sharp aged cheddar contrasts the hop resin; fish and chips find a classic bitter-citrus companion; and grilled citrus chicken mirrors the zesty profile naturally.

What sizes does Rise of the Angels come in? Rise of the Angels is available in a 4-pack format, which is the standard retail offering from 18th Street Brewery for this beer.

Is Rise of the Angels worth the price? Rise of the Angels positions as a mid-range craft Double IPA, and the addition of real grapefruit zest alongside premium Simcoe and Citra hops places it a step above many comparably priced imperial IPAs in complexity and flavor depth.

Why Rise of the Angels?

What separates Rise of the Angels from the crowded DIPA field is the use of actual grapefruit zest rather than relying solely on citrus-forward hops to deliver fruit character. That real-fruit addition creates a layered citrus experience that hops alone cannot replicate — raw pith, juice-like acidity, and zest aromatics all stacked on top of the tropical and floral notes Simcoe and Citra provide. Coming from a brewery that earned RateBeer's best new Indiana brewery distinction in its first year and national brewpub recognition from USA Today, the pedigree behind the beer is well-established. With an 87 on BeerAdvocate and nearly 20,400 Untappd ratings holding at 3.9, the consistency of Rise of the Angels across a wide drinking audience speaks for itself.