Buckledown Belt & Suspenders 6Pk

BuckleDown Belt & Suspenders 6Pk is a 7.0% ABV American IPA from BuckleDown Brewing in Lyons, Illinois, sold as a 6-pack of 12 oz cans. Scoring 86 on BeerAdvocate and earning a TapHunter style score of 93, this hop-driven IPA has built a loyal following across the Chicago suburbs and beyond.

Quick Facts: ABV: 7.0%  |  Origin: Lyons, Illinois  |  Style: American IPA  |  Brewery: BuckleDown Brewing

Production & Heritage

BuckleDown Brewing operates out of Lyons, Illinois, a small village just southwest of Chicago. The brewery's guiding philosophy — "if you aren't sure it has enough hops, hop it again" — drives Belt & Suspenders from grain to glass. Originally brewed with Crystal, Sterling, and Nugget hops, the recipe has evolved to feature Amarillo, Cascade, Citra, and El Dorado varieties, layered over a clean, slightly biscuity malt backbone. The beer was rebranded at one point to simply "Belt," though it continues to appear under its original Belt & Suspenders name at many retailers.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Light lemon and grapefruit citrus lead, followed by pineapple and honeydew melon. Underneath the hop aromatics, subtle caramel and honey malt notes emerge as the beer warms slightly in the glass.

Taste: The entry is bright with sweetened grapefruit juice and orange citrus, moving quickly into tropical territory — apricot, mango, and lychee develop across the mid-palate. A moderately grainy malt flavor surfaces alongside toasty biscuit character, keeping the hop bitterness in check. The balance tilts firmly toward hops, but the malt selection prevents the beer from becoming one-dimensional.

Finish: Resinous pine and floral hop bitterness linger with moderate intensity. The finish is dry enough to invite another sip, with faint nectarine and botanical notes trailing off cleanly.

How to Drink Belt & Suspenders

Pour into a tulip glass or standard pint glass at around 45–50°F to let the hop aromatics open fully. This IPA drinks remarkably well for its 7% ABV, staying sessionable in spirit if not in strict definition. It also works as a base for a few beer-cocktail variations: a Michelada riff using its citrus intensity against lime and hot sauce; a Beer Margarita where the tropical hop notes amplify the tequila-citrus combination; or a simple Shandy with fresh lemonade to temper the bitterness on a hot day.

Best For

• Backyard cookouts and grill sessions where bold hops can stand up to charred and smoky food
• Introducing craft beer drinkers to a well-balanced, hop-forward IPA without overwhelming bitterness
• Game-day gatherings where a 6-pack format makes sharing easy
• Exploring Illinois craft beer beyond Chicago's downtown scene

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Belt & Suspenders taste like? Belt & Suspenders delivers bold citrus and tropical fruit — grapefruit, mango, apricot, and pineapple — supported by a biscuity, lightly toasted malt backbone. The bitterness is assertive but never harsh, with pine and floral notes rounding out the profile.

How does Belt & Suspenders compare to Bell's Two Hearted Ale? Both are American IPAs in the 7% ABV range with prominent citrus character, but Belt & Suspenders leans more tropical and multi-layered thanks to its Citra and El Dorado hop additions. Two Hearted Ale is built entirely around Centennial hops, giving it a more singular grapefruit-and-pine focus.

Is Belt & Suspenders good for IPA beginners? Yes — its well-selected malt backbone tempers the hop bitterness enough to make it approachable, while still delivering the full aromatic intensity that IPA enthusiasts expect from the style.

Where is Belt & Suspenders made? Belt & Suspenders is brewed by BuckleDown Brewing in Lyons, Illinois, a village located approximately 10 miles southwest of downtown Chicago in Cook County.

What foods pair well with Belt & Suspenders? Spicy buffalo wings work well, as the hop bitterness cuts through the heat and fat. Fish tacos with mango salsa echo the beer's tropical character. Sharp cheddar cheese contrasts the citrus hop notes nicely. Grilled sausages or bratwurst complement the biscuity malt, and Thai green curry amplifies the herbal, botanical side of the hop profile.

What sizes does Belt & Suspenders come in? The standard retail format is a 6-pack of 12 oz cans, which is the most widely distributed option from BuckleDown Brewing.

Is Belt & Suspenders worth the price? Belt & Suspenders positions as a mid-range craft IPA, competitive with other regional 6-packs from the Midwest. Its 86 BeerAdvocate score and consistently positive consumer ratings suggest strong value within the American IPA category at this price tier.

Why Belt & Suspenders?

What separates this IPA from the crowded field is BuckleDown's unapologetic commitment to hop layering — four distinct varieties working in concert rather than relying on a single-hop showcase. The TapHunter style score of 93 places it among the better-regarded American IPAs in its distribution footprint. At 7% ABV, it carries enough weight to feel substantial without crossing into double IPA territory, and the malt backbone is calibrated precisely to support rather than compete with the hops. For drinkers looking for an Illinois-brewed IPA that rewards attention without demanding it, Belt & Suspenders delivers on its no-nonsense name.