4 Hands Scale of Complexity 4Pk

4 Hands Scale of Complexity 4Pk is a rotating New England-style hazy IPA from 4 Hands Brewing Company in St. Louis, Missouri, at 6.5% ABV. What distinguishes this series from standard hazy IPAs is its commitment to showcasing experimental and rarely seen hop varieties, with the hop bill changing every four months. The beer carries an 88 ("Very Good") rating on BeerAdvocate.

Quick Facts: ABV: 6.5%  |  Origin: St. Louis, Missouri  |  Style: New England-Style Hazy IPA  |  Brewery: 4 Hands Brewing Company

Production & Heritage

4 Hands Brewing Company was founded in 2011 in the LaSalle Park neighborhood of St. Louis, Missouri, and has since become one of the city's most prominent craft breweries. Scale of Complexity functions as a rotating hazy IPA platform, where each batch features a different combination of experimental hops — including varieties like HBC 344 (known for bright mango and tart Granny Smith apple character), HBC 522 (juicy stone fruit), and HBC 692 (floral with a whisper of grapefruit). The series rotates on a four-month cycle, blending these cutting-edge hops alongside brewer favorites to produce a beer that is genuinely different with each release.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with ripe peach and passion fruit, layered with pineapple and citrus peel. Underneath the tropical fruit sits a subtle herbal quality — hints of cilantro and damp forest floor that add unexpected depth.

Taste: The entry is soft and juicy, immediately delivering waves of mango, apricot, and pineapple. The mid-palate broadens with grapefruit and stone fruit, while traces of cherry and honeydew melon emerge at the peak. Bitterness stays moderate and well-integrated, never overtaking the fruit-forward character.

Finish: The finish is dry with lingering grapefruit zest and a clean, moderate bitterness that invites the next sip. The body is medium with soft carbonation, giving it the pillowy mouthfeel characteristic of the NEIPA style.

How to Drink Scale of Complexity

Serve cold, ideally between 40–45°F, and pour into a tulip glass or stemless wine glass to amplify the aromatic hop character. This beer is designed to be enjoyed fresh — the experimental hops are at their most expressive within weeks of packaging. For a beer-based shandy, mix with fresh-squeezed grapefruit juice and a splash of honey syrup for a refreshing summer drink. It also works in a Michelada variation, where the tropical hop notes complement tomato, lime, and hot sauce. As a boilermaker pairing, sip alongside a pour of aged bourbon — the stone fruit hops play beautifully against caramel and vanilla barrel notes.

Best For

• Sharing with craft beer enthusiasts who track limited-release hazy IPAs
• Bringing to a summer cookout or backyard gathering as a conversation-starting pour
• Exploring experimental hop varieties without committing to a full case
• Pairing with bold, spicy foods where the juicy fruit character can act as a counterbalance

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Scale of Complexity taste like? Scale of Complexity delivers a juicy, fruit-forward profile dominated by tropical notes of mango, peach, pineapple, and grapefruit, with moderate bitterness and a dry finish. Because the hop bill rotates every four months, specific flavors shift with each release while maintaining a consistently hazy, soft-bodied character.

How does Scale of Complexity compare to Sierra Nevada Hazy Little Thing? Both are New England-style IPAs, but Scale of Complexity uses experimental and rotating hop varieties that produce a more adventurous, less predictable flavor profile than Hazy Little Thing's consistent citrus-forward recipe. Scale of Complexity also sits at 6.5% ABV compared to Hazy Little Thing's 6.7%, and its rotating nature means no two batches taste identical.

Is Scale of Complexity good for IPA beginners? Yes — at 6.5% ABV with moderate bitterness and a juicy, fruit-driven profile, it serves as an approachable entry point into the hazy IPA category without the aggressive hop burn that can turn off newcomers.

Where is Scale of Complexity made? Scale of Complexity is brewed by 4 Hands Brewing Company in the LaSalle Park neighborhood of St. Louis, Missouri. The brewery was founded in 2011 and is known for its experimental approach to craft beer.

What foods pair well with Scale of Complexity? Spicy Thai green curry works well, as the tropical fruit hops temper the heat. Fish tacos with mango salsa echo the beer's stone fruit notes. A charcuterie board with aged cheddar and summer sausage provides a savory contrast to the juicy hop character. Grilled shrimp skewers complement the citrus elements, and a simple margherita pizza pairs nicely with the beer's soft body and moderate bitterness.

What sizes does Scale of Complexity come in? Scale of Complexity is available in a 4-pack format, which is the standard offering for this rotating series.

Is Scale of Complexity worth the price? Scale of Complexity positions as a mid-range craft IPA that delivers above-average complexity thanks to its rotating experimental hop program. The 88 BeerAdvocate rating and 3.8 Untappd score suggest strong value for drinkers seeking variety and quality within the hazy IPA category.

Why Scale of Complexity?

The defining feature of Scale of Complexity is its rotating experimental hop bill — varieties like HBC 344, HBC 522, and HBC 692 that most drinkers will never encounter in other beers. This makes each batch a genuine exploration rather than a repeat purchase. With an 88 BeerAdvocate score and a consistent 3.8 on Untappd across thousands of ratings, the series has demonstrated reliability across its various iterations. For anyone who appreciates the hazy IPA style but wants something that pushes beyond the standard Citra-Mosaic-Galaxy playbook, this is one of the more thoughtful rotating series in the Midwest craft scene.