Azadi Gir Lassi 4Pk

Azadi Gir Lassi 4Pk is a milkshake-style IPA brewed with Gir Kesar Mango, vanilla, and Indian cardamom, sold as a four-pack. This South Asian-inspired ale draws its character from a mango variety that earned geographical indication status in 2011, lending a distinctive identity that separates it from the broader milkshake IPA field.

Quick Facts: Style: Milkshake IPA  |  Origin: Chicago, Illinois  |  Hops: Mosaic, Citra, Azacca  |  Brewed at: Pilot Project Brewery (Logan Square, Chicago)

Production & Heritage

Azadi Brewing produces Gir Lassi through Pilot Project Brewery, a brewery incubator located in the Logan Square neighborhood of Chicago. The beer is built on a milkshake IPA base — typically characterized by the addition of lactose for body and fruit for sweetness — then layered with Gir Kesar Mango, a variety grown in the foothills of western India and prized for its bright orange pulp and concentrated tropical flavor. The hop bill features Mosaic, Citra, and Azacca, three varieties known for their tropical and citrus-forward profiles, which complement rather than compete with the mango. Vanilla and Indian cardamom round out the grain bill, nodding directly to the traditional South Asian yogurt drink that gives this beer its name.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Ripe mango dominates the nose, followed by warm cardamom spice and a soft vanilla sweetness. A subtle hop resin note from the Mosaic and Citra emerges underneath, keeping the aromatics from veering entirely into dessert territory.

Taste: The entry is thick and juicy, with pronounced mango pulp flavor recalling a mango push pop in the best possible sense. Mid-palate, vanilla smooths the edges while cardamom introduces a gentle warmth. The hop bitterness remains restrained but present, providing just enough structure to balance the fruit-forward sweetness.

Finish: Medium in length with lingering mango and a faint spice trail from the cardamom. The lactose-driven body leaves a creamy mouthfeel that tapers slowly without becoming cloying.

How to Drink Gir Lassi

Pour cold into a tulip glass or wide-mouth pint glass to capture the aromatic complexity. This beer is best enjoyed fresh and on its own — milkshake IPAs are not built for aging. For food pairing-driven serves, try it alongside a Mango Lassi Shandy by blending a half pour with chilled mango nectar over ice for a low-ABV refresher. It also works in a Beer-mosa variation, subbing it in for a traditional wheat beer with a splash of fresh orange juice. A Michelada-inspired build using lime, a pinch of chaat masala, and a salted rim plays well with the cardamom spice notes.

Best For

• Introducing craft beer drinkers to South Asian-inspired brewing
• Summer cookouts and outdoor gatherings where tropical flavors shine
• Pairing with Indian or Southeast Asian cuisine
• Gifting to adventurous IPA enthusiasts looking beyond standard haze

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Gir Lassi taste like? Gir Lassi delivers thick, juicy mango flavor layered with vanilla creaminess and warm Indian cardamom spice, all supported by a soft hop bitterness from Mosaic, Citra, and Azacca hops. The overall impression is tropical, smooth, and dessert-adjacent without excessive sweetness.

How does Gir Lassi compare to other milkshake IPAs? Most milkshake IPAs use common fruits like strawberry, blueberry, or generic mango puree, whereas Gir Lassi specifically uses Gir Kesar Mango — a geographically protected Indian variety — along with traditional South Asian spicing from cardamom and vanilla. This ingredient specificity gives it a more layered and culturally intentional flavor profile than typical entries in the style.

Is Gir Lassi good for IPA beginners? Yes — the lactose body, prominent fruit, and restrained hop bitterness make it highly approachable for drinkers who find traditional IPAs too bitter. The flavor leans more toward a fruit smoothie than a hoppy ale.

Where is Gir Lassi made? Gir Lassi is brewed by Azadi Brewing at Pilot Project Brewery, a brewery incubator located in the Logan Square neighborhood of Chicago, Illinois. Pilot Project provides brewing infrastructure for emerging brands to develop and scale their recipes.

What foods pair well with Gir Lassi? Chicken tikka or tandoori dishes complement the cardamom and mango notes. Thai green curry mirrors the tropical fruit profile while contrasting with gentle heat. Grilled shrimp tacos with mango salsa echo the beer's dominant fruit character. A mild paneer dish balances the beer's richness without overpowering it. Vanilla bean ice cream or mango sorbet extends the dessert-like qualities into a full pairing.

What sizes does Gir Lassi come in? Gir Lassi is sold as a four-pack, which is the standard retail format from Azadi Brewing for this expression.

Is Gir Lassi worth the price? Gir Lassi positions in the craft specialty tier, where milkshake IPAs with unique adjuncts typically command a modest premium over standard IPAs. The use of geographically protected Gir Kesar Mango and authentic South Asian spices provides genuine ingredient-driven value within that range.

Why Gir Lassi?

What distinguishes Gir Lassi from the crowded milkshake IPA category is ingredient intentionality. The Gir Kesar Mango isn't just another tropical addition — it's a geographically indicated variety with a protected designation since 2011, meaning the fruit must originate from its specific growing region in western India. Combined with authentic Indian cardamom and a considered hop bill of Mosaic, Citra, and Azacca, the beer translates a traditional South Asian beverage into a craft format without losing cultural specificity. With a 3.9 rating on Untappd across over 200 reviews, it has earned consistent praise from the craft community for delivering on its premise. For drinkers seeking a milkshake IPA that tells a more specific story than fruit-plus-lactose, Gir Lassi delivers genuine distinction.