Black & Gray Minuteman 4Pk

Black & Gray Minuteman 4Pk is a New England-style Hazy IPA sold in 4-packs and brewed by Black & Gray Brewing in East Dundee, Illinois. Billed as the brewery's original NEIPA, Minuteman has earned a solid 3.8 out of 5 on Untappd across more than 865 ratings, establishing itself as a reliable hazy option from the Illinois craft scene.

Quick Facts: Style: New England / Hazy IPA  |  Origin: East Dundee, Illinois  |  Format: 4-Pack  |  Brewery: Black & Gray Brewing

Production & Heritage

Black & Gray Brewing operates out of East Dundee, a small village in Kane County roughly 40 miles northwest of downtown Chicago. Minuteman is the brewery's flagship NEIPA and relies on a hop bill of Mosaic, Amarillo, and Citra — three of the most sought-after American hop varieties for tropical and citrus character. The beer undergoes multiple dry-hopping stages with Citra and Mosaic, a technique that amplifies aromatic intensity while keeping bitterness in check and delivering the style's signature haze and pillowy body.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Tropical fruit leads the nose, followed by bursts of tangerine, ripe mango, and resinous pine. The multiple dry hoppings push hop aromatics well to the front.

Taste: On entry, a wave of citrus-forward hop flavor meets a soft, medium malt backbone. Mid-palate, the Mosaic and Amarillo contributions layer stone fruit and melon over a substantial hop bitterness that gives the beer real structure. The deeper orange color in the glass hints at the intensity inside.

Finish: Moderate in length with a lingering citrus pith and light resin character. The pillowy mouthfeel carries through to the end, leaving a clean but hop-saturated impression.

How to Drink Minuteman

Minuteman drinks best fresh and cold, poured into a tulip or stemless wine glass to concentrate the aromatic hops. It works well straight from the can on warm days when maximum refreshment matters. For a hop-forward IPA Shandy, mix with fresh lemonade to play off the citrus notes. A Michelada riff using Minuteman adds tropical depth to the classic lime-and-hot-sauce template. It also stands up in a Beer-a-Rita blend, where its haze and fruit character complement fresh lime juice and a salted rim.

Best For

• Backyard cookouts and grill sessions where hoppy, aromatic beer shines
• Introducing friends to the hazy IPA style with a well-rated Midwest example
• Building a craft beer flight alongside other Illinois-brewed IPAs
• Casual weeknight drinking when a full 6-pack is more than you need

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Minuteman taste like? Minuteman delivers pronounced citrus and tropical fruit hop flavor backed by a soft, pillowy mouthfeel and moderate malt sweetness. Substantial hop bitterness provides balance without overwhelming the juicy character expected from the NEIPA style.

How does Minuteman compare to Sierra Nevada Hazy Little Thing? Both are American-brewed hazy IPAs, but Minuteman uses multiple dry-hopping stages with Citra and Mosaic for a more intensely aromatic profile, while Hazy Little Thing is designed as a widely distributed, approachable everyday hazy. Minuteman skews more craft-forward and less broadly available, reflecting its small-brewery roots in Illinois.

Is Minuteman good for someone new to hazy IPAs? Yes — its pillowy mouthfeel and strong fruit-forward hop character showcase exactly what the New England IPA style is about, making it a clear entry point for the category.

Where is Minuteman made? Minuteman is brewed by Black & Gray Brewing in East Dundee, Illinois, a village in Kane County about 40 miles northwest of Chicago.

What foods pair well with Minuteman? Grilled chicken tacos with mango salsa complement the tropical hop notes. Spicy Thai green curry creates a cooling contrast with the beer's soft body. A sharp cheddar or pepper jack cheese board highlights the citrus bitterness. Fish and chips benefit from the hop cut through fried batter, and a simple margherita pizza lets the beer's fruit character lead.

What sizes does Minuteman come in? Minuteman is sold in 4-packs of cans; the exact can size was not verified beyond the standard 4-pack format commonly offered by Black & Gray Brewing.

Is Minuteman worth the price? Minuteman positions as a craft-tier NEIPA from an independent Illinois brewery, and its 3.8 Untappd rating across hundreds of reviews suggests it delivers competitive quality within its price range for regional hazy IPAs.

Why Minuteman?

Minuteman holds a specific place in Black & Gray's lineup as the brewery's original New England IPA — the beer that established their approach to the hazy style. The triple-variety hop bill of Mosaic, Amarillo, and Citra, combined with multiple dry-hopping stages, produces an aromatic intensity that stands out among Chicagoland craft offerings. Its 3.8 Untappd rating from a sizable review pool confirms consistent quality rather than hype-driven buzz. For drinkers exploring the Illinois craft beer landscape beyond the headline breweries, Minuteman represents a well-constructed, hop-forward NEIPA built on sound technique and high-demand hop varieties.