Boulevard Double Wide 4Pk

Boulevard Double Wide IPA 4Pk is a double IPA brewed by Boulevard Brewing Company in Kansas City, Missouri, packaged as a 4-pack at 8.5% ABV. This hop-intensive ale earned an 89 score on BeerAdvocate across more than 2,650 ratings, reflecting its strong reputation among IPA enthusiasts.

Quick Facts: ABV: 8.5%  |  IBU: 71  |  Origin: Kansas City, Missouri  |  Style: Double IPA  |  Brewery: Boulevard Brewing Company

Production & Heritage

Boulevard Brewing Company, founded in 1989 by John McDonald, grew from a small craft operation into one of the largest specialty brewers in the Midwest. Double Wide IPA uses a layered hopping approach: Columbus and Magnum hops handle both bittering and aroma duties, while Chinook hops are introduced during the whirlpool stage. The beer is then dry hopped with generous additions of Cascade, Centennial, and Chinook, building complexity across multiple hop additions. A chewy caramel malt backbone provides the structural counterweight to this six-hop lineup, distinguishing Double Wide from leaner, West Coast–style double IPAs.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose is decidedly hop-forward, opening with peach and apricot before shifting into complex layers of mint, citrus, and subtle pine resin. There is a gentle malt sweetness underneath that keeps the aromatics from becoming one-dimensional.

Taste: The entry delivers a firm, chewy caramel malt base that quickly gives way to resinous pine and woody hop character at mid-palate. Citric grapefruit emerges as the bitterness builds, while toffee and caramel notes provide balance and prevent the 71 IBU from overwhelming the palate. The interplay between malt sweetness and hop intensity remains well-managed throughout.

Finish: The finish is medium-long with a lingering bitterness anchored by pine and grapefruit pith. Residual toffee sweetness fades slowly, leaving a dry, resinous close that invites another sip.

How to Drink Double Wide IPA

Pour Double Wide into a tulip glass or snifter at around 50°F to let the aromatic hop oils open fully; drinking straight from the can will mute much of the peach and pine complexity. A Hop Drop 'n Roll cocktail — combining double IPA with a splash of citrus juice and a sugar rim — plays into the grapefruit character. A Beer-a-Rita using Double Wide in place of a standard lager adds bold hop dimension to the classic template. For something simpler, a Boilermaker paired with a pour of bourbon mirrors the toffee and caramel malt notes while amplifying the warming effect of the 8.5% ABV.

Best For

• Hopheads exploring Midwest-brewed double IPAs beyond the West Coast canon
• Backyard cookouts where big, flavorful beer stands up to grilled and smoked meats
• Sharing with a craft beer group tasting focused on malt-forward double IPAs
• Gifting to an IPA collector interested in notable Boulevard limited and retired releases

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Double Wide IPA taste like? Double Wide IPA delivers a chewy caramel and toffee malt base layered with resinous pine, grapefruit citrus, and woody hop bitterness at 71 IBU. Peach and apricot notes emerge on the nose and lend a fruity dimension to the overall hop-forward profile.

How does Double Wide IPA compare to Pyramid Outburst? Both are malt-conscious double IPAs, but Double Wide leans more heavily on pine and resin from its six-hop blend, while Outburst tends toward a more straightforwardly bitter, citrus-driven profile. Double Wide's 8.5% ABV and 71 IBU place it in a similar potency range to Outburst's 8.5% ABV and 70 IBU.

Is Double Wide IPA good for sipping? Yes — the substantial caramel malt backbone and moderate carbonation make it a rewarding sipper, especially when served in a tulip glass at cellar temperature to highlight its aromatic complexity.

Where is Double Wide IPA made? Double Wide IPA was brewed at Boulevard Brewing Company in Kansas City, Missouri, one of the Midwest's largest and most established craft breweries, founded in 1989.

What foods pair well with Double Wide IPA? Smoked brisket or pulled pork mirrors the toffee malt and stands up to the hop bitterness. Sharp aged cheddar contrasts the resinous hops with rich, savory fat. Spicy Thai curry finds balance against the malt sweetness and citrus hop notes. Grilled burgers with caramelized onions echo the beer's toffee character. Dark chocolate brownies complement the roasted malt undertones and pine finish.

What sizes does Double Wide IPA come in? Double Wide IPA was available in a 4-pack format as well as individual bottles; larger format options varied by market and availability.

Is Double Wide IPA worth the price? Double Wide positioned as a mid-premium craft double IPA, and its multi-layered hop profile and 89 BeerAdvocate score reflect strong quality within the style — making it a solid value among double IPAs when available.

Why Double Wide IPA?

Double Wide IPA stands apart through its six-hop, multi-stage hopping process — bittering, whirlpool, and dry hop additions each contribute distinct layers rather than a single blast of bitterness. The chewy caramel malt base is unusually robust for the style, giving the beer a Midwest identity that contrasts sharply with thinner, more austere West Coast doubles. An 89 on BeerAdvocate and more than 32,000 Untappd ratings confirm broad critical and consumer recognition. For drinkers who want a double IPA built on balance rather than pure hop aggression, Double Wide remains a benchmark of Boulevard's Smokestack Series ambition.