5 Grass 6Pk

5 Grass 6Pk is a botanical American Pale Ale from 5 Rabbit Cervecería, sold in a 6-pack of 12 oz containers at 6.4% ABV. What distinguishes this beer from standard pale ales is its layered use of juniper, sage, rosemary, and Tasmanian pepperberry alongside four hop varieties, producing a desert-herb character rarely found in the style.

Quick Facts: ABV: 6.4%  |  IBU: 60  |  Origin: Bedford Park, Illinois  |  Style: American Pale Ale  |  Brewery: 5 Rabbit Cervecería

Production & Heritage

5 Rabbit Cervecería, based in Bedford Park, Illinois, is one of the first Latin-inspired craft breweries in the United States. The brewery earned a Gold Medal at the 2011 Great American Beer Festival for its 5 Lizard expression and a Silver Medal in the 2014 GABF Golden or Blonde Ale category for its flagship 5 Rabbit. 5 Grass is brewed with Newport, Pacific, Jade, and Pilgrim hops — a deliberately unconventional combination — alongside botanical additions of juniper, two varieties of sage, rosemary, and Tasmanian pepperberry. The result is a pale ale that bridges hop-forward bitterness with an aromatic, herbal complexity that draws comparisons to walking through high-desert scrubland.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with a striking juniper-and-sage character reminiscent of arid desert brush. Behind that initial impression, grassy hop notes emerge alongside a subtle caramel malt sweetness and hints of fresh rosemary.

Taste: The entry is bright with citrus — lemon in particular — followed quickly by spice and peppery bite from the Tasmanian pepperberry. At mid-palate, a caramel malt backbone provides balance, while grassy, dank hop flavors add depth. The 60 IBU bitterness is assertive but never harsh, tempered by the herbal and sweet malt layers.

Finish: Medium-length with lingering spice and a dry, grassy bitterness. Faint lemon peel and sage linger as the pepperberry warmth slowly fades.

How to Drink 5 Grass

Serve cold, around 42–48°F, in a pint glass or tulip to allow the complex aromatics to open up. The herbal and citrus character makes 5 Grass a natural ingredient in beer cocktails: try it in a Michelada, where the sage and pepperberry complement tomato juice and hot sauce; in a Shandy with fresh lemonade, amplifying the existing citrus notes; or in a Beer Margarita, where the juniper and herbal spice echo the botanical qualities of the lime and salt rim.

Best For

• Introducing adventurous craft beer drinkers to botanical-forward pale ales
• Backyard grilling sessions where herbal, citrus flavors complement charred meats
• Building a curated Latin-inspired craft beer tasting flight
• Pairing with spiced or herb-crusted dishes at a dinner gathering

Frequently Asked Questions

What does 5 Grass taste like? 5 Grass delivers prominent lemon citrus, grassy hop dankness, and a distinctive spice from Tasmanian pepperberry, all balanced by a caramel malt sweetness. The herbal additions of juniper, sage, and rosemary give it a fresh, outdoorsy quality unlike most American Pale Ales.

How does 5 Grass compare to Sierra Nevada Pale Ale? Sierra Nevada Pale Ale relies on Cascade hops for its signature piney, grapefruit-forward profile at 5.6% ABV, while 5 Grass uses four lesser-known hop varieties plus botanical herbs and spices, resulting in a more herbaceous, peppery character at a slightly higher 6.4% ABV. Both share a firm malt backbone, but 5 Grass occupies a more experimental, spice-driven lane within the pale ale category.

Is 5 Grass good for craft beer beginners? Its herbal complexity may surprise someone expecting a straightforward pale ale, but the balanced malt sweetness and approachable 6.4% ABV keep it accessible. Drinkers open to trying something beyond a standard hop-forward APA will find it rewarding.

Where is 5 Grass made? 5 Grass is brewed by 5 Rabbit Cervecería in Bedford Park, Illinois, a suburb southwest of Chicago. The brewery draws on Latin American culinary traditions to inform its ingredient choices across its entire range.

What foods pair well with 5 Grass? Herb-crusted grilled chicken benefits from the beer's rosemary and sage echoes. Carne asada tacos with fresh cilantro and lime mirror its citrus and spice. Aged Manchego cheese highlights the caramel malt sweetness. Ceviche amplifies the bright lemon notes. Jerk-spiced dishes find common ground with the Tasmanian pepperberry heat.

What sizes does 5 Grass come in? 5 Grass is commonly available in a 6-pack of 12 oz containers.

Is 5 Grass worth the price? 5 Grass positions within the craft pale ale tier, where its use of rare botanical ingredients — particularly Tasmanian pepperberry and multiple sage varieties — provides tangible distinction over similarly priced standard APAs. The ingredient-driven approach justifies its place among specialty craft offerings.

Why 5 Grass?

In a crowded American Pale Ale landscape dominated by citrus-and-pine hop profiles, 5 Grass takes a genuinely different path. The combination of juniper, sage, rosemary, and Tasmanian pepperberry with four uncommon hop varieties creates a beer with a desert-botanical identity that stands apart from the category mainstream. It comes from a brewery with proven GABF credentials and a clear point of view rooted in Latin American culinary tradition. For drinkers who want a pale ale that rewards attention and pairs dynamically with food, 5 Grass delivers real complexity without sacrificing drinkability.