Brickstone APA 6Pk

Brickstone APA 6Pk is a 6.25% ABV American Pale Ale from Brickstone Brewery in Bourbonnais, Illinois, sold as a six-pack. This triple-hopped APA earned a Gold Medal at the 2012 Great American Beer Festival, where it notably bested acclaimed competitors including Three Floyds Zombie Dust in the American-Style Pale Ale category.

Quick Facts: ABV: 6.25%  |  Origin: Bourbonnais, Illinois  |  Style: American Pale Ale  |  Brewery: Brickstone Brewery

Production & Heritage

Brickstone Brewery operates out of Bourbonnais, Illinois, a small city about 60 miles south of Chicago. The APA is built on a light caramel malt base and hopped with a trio of sought-after American varieties — Citra, Centennial, and Amarillo — chosen for their complementary citrus, floral, and stone fruit characteristics. A four-day dry hopping phase amplifies hop aroma without adding harshness, producing a beer that leans heavily aromatic while keeping bitterness restrained.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Pine resin and bright citrus zest hit first, followed by layers of stone fruit and subtle lemongrass. The extended dry hopping delivers a pronounced, oily hop bouquet that stays fragrant through every sip.

Taste: The entry is clean and bready, with caramel malt providing a soft backbone before citrus zest and ripe stone fruit take over at mid-palate. A powerful orange peel note surges toward the finish, balanced by just enough malt sweetness to keep things in proportion.

Finish: Dry, resinous, and moderately long, with a hoppy oiliness that lingers on the palate. The bitterness remains low and controlled, leaving a clean, crisp impression rather than an aggressive bite.

How to Drink Brickstone APA

Pour into a pint glass or tulip to let the hop aromatics open up fully; serving temperature around 45–50°F brings out the best balance of malt and citrus. This APA also makes a solid base for beer cocktails. A Shandy pairing the citrus hop profile with fresh lemonade highlights the stone fruit notes. A Michelada benefits from the APA's clean finish and low bitterness, letting lime and hot sauce take center stage. A Beermosa made with fresh orange juice plays directly into the dominant orange zest character of this beer.

Best For

• Backyard grilling sessions where a hop-forward but easy-drinking pale ale keeps pace with the food
• Introducing IPA-curious friends to American hops without overwhelming bitterness
• Celebrating craft beer from Illinois with a competition-proven selection
• Stocking a tailgate cooler with a reliable, award-winning six-pack

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Brickstone APA taste like? Brickstone APA leads with bright citrus zest and stone fruit flavors supported by a bready caramel malt backbone. The bitterness stays low, and the finish is dry, resinous, and clean.

How does Brickstone APA compare to Three Floyds Zombie Dust? Both are American Pale Ales that showcase citrus-forward hop profiles, but Brickstone APA uses a three-hop blend of Citra, Centennial, and Amarillo, while Zombie Dust is built entirely around Citra. At the 2012 Great American Beer Festival, Brickstone APA took Gold in the American-Style Pale Ale category, beating Zombie Dust for the top spot.

Is Brickstone APA good for craft beer beginners? Yes — at 6.25% ABV with restrained bitterness and a clean malt base, it serves as an approachable gateway to hop-forward American ales without the palate fatigue of higher-IBU IPAs.

Where is Brickstone APA made? Brickstone APA is brewed at Brickstone Brewery in Bourbonnais, Illinois, located in Kankakee County roughly 60 miles south of downtown Chicago.

What foods pair well with Brickstone APA? Grilled chicken or burgers complement the hop bitterness and malt sweetness. Fish tacos with citrus slaw mirror the orange and stone fruit notes. Sharp cheddar stands up to the resinous hops. Spicy Thai noodle dishes are tempered by the beer's clean, dry finish. Fresh goat cheese salads echo the herbal, lemongrass undertones.

What sizes does Brickstone APA come in? Brickstone APA is commonly available in a standard six-pack format of 12 oz bottles or cans.

Is Brickstone APA worth the price? Brickstone APA positions as a mid-tier craft pale ale that punches well above its price class, backed by a GABF Gold Medal, a 94-point rating from Tastings.com, and multiple additional competition wins — strong credentials for a six-pack in this category.

Why Brickstone APA?

Few American Pale Ales from regional Illinois breweries carry the competitive résumé this beer does: Gold at the 2012 Great American Beer Festival, Gold at the 2014 American Beer Classic, Gold at the 2011 Indiana Brewers Cup, Bronze at the 2012 World Beer Cup, and 94 points from Tastings.com. The four-day dry hopping with Citra, Centennial, and Amarillo delivers an aromatic intensity that many pale ales reserve for the IPA tier, yet the 6.25% ABV and low bitterness keep it thoroughly sessionable. In a category crowded with forgettable options, Brickstone APA has repeatedly proven it belongs among the best American-style pale ales brewed in the Midwest.