Azadi Jaago 4Pk

Azadi Jaago 4Pk is a South Indian-inspired chicory amber ale brewed in Chicago at 6.0% ABV, available as a four-pack of cans. Drawing directly from the tradition of south Indian filtered coffee, Jaago incorporates roasted chicory to produce a dark, smooth ale with exceptional balance — earning a 3.7 out of 5 on Untappd across nearly 900 ratings.

Quick Facts: ABV: 6.0%  |  Origin: Chicago, Illinois  |  Style: Chicory Amber Ale  |  Brewery: Azadi Brewing Company

Production & Heritage

Azadi Brewing Company is a Chicago-based operation that brews its beers through Pilot Project Brewery, a contract and incubator brewing facility. Jaago — which translates roughly to "wake up" — sources key ingredients from Indian grocer Patel Brothers on Devon Avenue as well as directly from India, grounding the beer in authentic South Asian culinary tradition. The brew uses roasted chicory root alongside a malty amber ale base, produced in small batches with frequent rotation, making availability limited at times.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Roasted chicory leads, followed by caramelized sugar and a light toasted malt sweetness. A subtle coffee-like warmth rounds out the nose without the bitterness of actual coffee beans.

Taste: The entry is smooth and malty with an immediate wave of roasted chicory that recalls south Indian filter coffee. Mid-palate, light toffee and caramel notes develop, giving the beer a slightly sweet character. The body is medium, with enough structure to carry the roasted flavors without heaviness.

Finish: Dry and clean, balancing the preceding sweetness with a roasty, lightly bitter close. The chicory character lingers modestly, leaving a pleasant coffee-adjacent warmth.

How to Drink Jaago

Jaago drinks best slightly below room temperature — around 50–55°F — where the chicory and toffee notes come through most clearly. Pour it into a tulip glass or nonic pint to open up the aroma. For food-adjacent sessions, it pairs well alongside brunch or as a standalone afternoon beer. While primarily a sipping ale, its roasty profile also works in a Beer Flip (with a whole egg, sugar, and nutmeg) for a rich, dessert-style drink, a Michelada variation where the chicory adds depth against lime and hot sauce, or a Shandy blended with fresh lemonade to lighten the roasted character on warm days.

Best For

• Introducing craft beer drinkers to South Asian-inspired brewing
• Brunch pairings where coffee-adjacent flavors complement the meal
• Gifting to someone who appreciates globally inspired, small-batch beers
• Exploring Chicago's diverse craft beer scene beyond traditional styles

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Jaago taste like? Jaago is a medium-bodied amber ale dominated by roasted chicory, caramelized sugar, and light toffee, finishing dry and smooth. The overall impression recalls south Indian filtered coffee translated into beer form.

How does Jaago compare to other chicory beers? While chicory beers have roots in New Orleans brewing traditions — where chicory coffee is a staple — Jaago takes a distinctly South Asian approach, sourcing ingredients from Indian grocers and drawing flavor inspiration from filter coffee rather than Cajun coffee culture. The result is a cleaner, more toffee-forward profile with less bitterness than many chicory stouts.

Is Jaago good for sipping on its own? Yes — at 6.0% ABV, Jaago is sessionable enough for a relaxed drinking pace while offering enough roasted complexity to hold attention across a full pour.

Where is Jaago made? Jaago is brewed in Chicago, Illinois, by Azadi Brewing Company, which operates through Pilot Project Brewery, a collaborative brewing facility in the city.

What foods pair well with Jaago? The chicory and toffee profile pairs naturally with South Indian dosas and chutneys, where the roasted notes mirror the accompanying filter coffee. Grilled lamb kebabs benefit from the ale's malty sweetness. Brunch staples like French toast and maple syrup echo the caramel character. Sharp aged cheddar provides a savory counterpoint, and dark chocolate desserts complement the roasty finish.

What sizes does Jaago come in? Jaago is available as a four-pack of cans, which is the standard retail format for this release.

Is Jaago worth the price? Jaago positions as a small-batch, specialty craft ale with unique South Asian-sourced ingredients, placing it in the premium craft tier. For drinkers seeking something genuinely different from mainstream amber ales, the ingredient sourcing and cultural specificity justify the positioning.

Why Jaago?

Jaago stands apart because its flavor identity comes from a culinary tradition rarely represented in American craft brewing. The use of chicory root sourced partly from India and from Patel Brothers on Chicago's Devon Avenue gives this beer a provenance story that is specific and traceable, not aspirational. At 6.0% ABV, it occupies a practical middle ground — flavorful enough to reward attention, moderate enough for multiple pours. In a craft landscape crowded with coffee stouts and pastry ales, Jaago delivers roasted complexity through a leaner, drier, more food-friendly format that reflects genuine South Indian brewing inspiration rather than trend-chasing.