Alarmist DDH Series 4Pk

Alarmist DDH Series 4Pk is a four-pack of double dry-hopped hazy IPAs from Chicago's acclaimed Alarmist Brewing. The brewery earned the first-ever GABF Gold Medal in the Juicy or Hazy IPA category in 2018 for its flagship Le Jus, and the DDH Series showcases the same hop-forward, haze-driven approach that put Alarmist on the national craft beer map.

Quick Facts: ABV: ~6% (varies by release)  |  Origin: Chicago, Illinois  |  Style: Double Dry-Hopped Hazy IPA  |  Brewery: Alarmist Brewing

Production & Heritage

Alarmist Brewing operated out of the Sauganash neighborhood on Chicago's Northwest Side at 4055 West Peterson Avenue. The brewery built its reputation on a grain bill of Pilsner and wheat malts combined with flaked wheat and lactose, producing a deliberately silky, full-bodied mouthfeel that became the house signature. The DDH Series applied an additional round of dry hopping — primarily with Citra and Mosaic — to intensify aromatic complexity beyond the standard Le Jus recipe. Le Jus earned a 94/100 ("Outstanding") rating on BeerAdvocate with a 4.27 out of 5.0 average user score, establishing Alarmist among the top hazy IPA producers in the Midwest. Note: Alarmist Brewing has since closed its doors, making remaining stock increasingly scarce.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Candied tropical fruit leads immediately, with ripe papaya and mango giving way to bright grapefruit peel and a faint floral hop resin. The double dry-hopping amplifies aromatics well beyond a standard hazy IPA.

Taste: The entry is soft and pillowy, with lactose-driven creaminess cushioning an explosion of juicy citrus and stone fruit at mid-palate. Grapefruit peel bitterness provides structure without harshness, while the wheat-heavy grain bill keeps the body round and opaque. Sweetness stays measured, never cloying.

Finish: Medium in length with a lingering grapefruit rind and light pine bitterness. The silky texture carries through to the end, leaving a clean, dry tropical impression.

How to Drink the DDH Series

Pour cold into a tulip glass or wide-mouth pint to fully release the aromatic payload from the double dry hopping; avoid over-chilling, as the tropical notes open up closer to 45°F. These hazy IPAs drink best fresh and unfiltered straight from the can or glass. A Citrus Shandy works well by combining the DDH Series with fresh lemonade to lean into the grapefruit character. A Hazy Michelada benefits from the beer's inherent body and citrus brightness alongside lime and hot sauce. A simple Beermosa pairing the DDH Series with fresh-squeezed orange juice mirrors and amplifies the tropical fruit notes at brunch.

Best For

• Collectors seeking limited remaining stock from a closed Chicago brewery
• Hazy IPA enthusiasts exploring GABF Gold Medal-winning breweries
• Casual weeknight drinking with friends who appreciate hop-forward craft beer
• Gifting to a Midwest craft beer fan familiar with Alarmist's legacy

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the DDH Series taste like? The DDH Series delivers a silky, opaque hazy IPA loaded with candied papaya, grapefruit peel, and juicy tropical fruit, backed by a creamy, lactose-enhanced body. Bitterness is moderate and well-integrated rather than sharp.

How does the DDH Series compare to Le Jus? Le Jus is the flagship hazy IPA from Alarmist Brewing, while the DDH Series applies an additional dry-hopping step to intensify aroma and hop flavor beyond the standard Le Jus profile. Both share the same Pilsner malt, wheat, and lactose base, but the DDH versions push tropical and citrus notes further forward.

Is the DDH Series good for hazy IPA beginners? At roughly 6% ABV with a smooth, creamy mouthfeel and restrained bitterness, the DDH Series is approachable for anyone new to the hazy IPA style while still delivering enough hop complexity to satisfy experienced drinkers.

Where is the DDH Series made? The DDH Series was brewed at Alarmist Brewing in the Sauganash neighborhood of Chicago, Illinois, at 4055 West Peterson Avenue. The brewery has since closed operations, so any remaining stock represents the final production runs.

What foods pair well with the DDH Series? Spicy Thai green curry balances the beer's tropical sweetness. Fish tacos with mango salsa echo the citrus and stone fruit hop profile. A sharp cheddar or pepper jack cheese contrasts the creamy body. Grilled shrimp with citrus glaze complements the grapefruit notes. Fried chicken benefits from the carbonation and moderate bitterness cutting through richness.

What sizes does the DDH Series come in? The DDH Series is packaged as a four-pack of cans, which is the standard retail format Alarmist Brewing used for its hazy IPA releases.

Is the DDH Series worth the price? The DDH Series positions in the craft hazy IPA tier, and its value is bolstered by Alarmist Brewing's GABF Gold Medal pedigree and the 94-point BeerAdvocate rating earned by the Le Jus line. With the brewery now closed, remaining stock carries additional scarcity value for collectors.

Why the DDH Series?

Alarmist Brewing made history in 2018 by winning the first-ever GABF Gold Medal awarded in the Juicy or Hazy IPA category — a distinction that no amount of marketing can replicate. The DDH Series represents the brewery's most hop-intensive iteration of that award-winning formula, doubling down on Citra and Mosaic dry hopping to push tropical aromatics to their peak. With the brewery now permanently closed, these cans represent a finite piece of Chicago craft beer history from a producer that BeerAdvocate rated as outstanding. For hazy IPA drinkers who value provenance and quality over hype, the DDH Series stands as one of the Midwest's most respected contributions to the style.