Crystal Lake Slalom King 6Pk

Crystal Lake Slalom King 6Pk is a 7.5% ABV rye India Pale Ale from Crystal Lake Brewing in Northern Illinois, sold in a six-pack format. This hop-forward IPA holds an 85 score on BeerAdvocate and a 3.7 out of 5 on Untappd across more than 6,500 ratings, establishing it as a reliable staple in the Midwest craft beer landscape.

Quick Facts: ABV: 7.5%  |  IBU: 60  |  Origin: Crystal Lake, Northern Illinois  |  Style: Rye IPA  |  Brewery: Crystal Lake Brewing

Production & Heritage

Crystal Lake Brewing operates out of the city of Crystal Lake in Northern Illinois, prioritizing locally sourced grain and hops from premium regional suppliers whenever possible. Slalom King is brewed with a rye malt component that distinguishes it from conventional American IPAs, contributing a dry, peppery edge beneath the hop-driven profile. The brewery also employs Hopsteiner's Salvo™ hop extract technology, a concentrated extract that delivers true-to-type hop flavor and aroma without adding excess bitterness or incurring the volume losses typical of heavy dry-hopping.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Immediately citrus-forward, with layers of grapefruit and orange zest giving way to floral and resinous pine notes. The rye grain adds a subtle, earthy undertone beneath the hops.

Taste: The entry is bright with bold citrus hop flavor that coats the palate quickly. At mid-palate, a firm malt sweetness emerges alongside a noticeable hint of dry rye spice, creating a layered complexity that pushes beyond a one-dimensional hop blast. The 60 IBU bitterness arrives with authority toward the peak, balancing the malt backbone without overwhelming it.

Finish: Medium-long and drying, with lingering herbal and piney hop bitterness. The rye spice persists through the close, leaving a clean, slightly peppery aftertaste that invites the next sip.

How to Drink Slalom King

Slalom King drinks best from a pint glass or tulip at around 45–50°F, allowing the citrus aromatics to open up while keeping the body crisp. It holds up well in hop-centric cocktail-style serves: a Hop Shandy with fresh lemonade works in warm weather because the citrus hops amplify the lemon; a Michelada benefits from the rye spice echoing the hot sauce and lime; and a Beer-a-Rita with fresh grapefruit juice complements the grapefruit-forward hop character naturally.

Best For

• Stocking a backyard cookout cooler with a hop-forward crowd-pleaser
• Introducing a friend to rye-influenced IPAs beyond standard American styles
• Pairing with bold, spicy grilled food at a summer gathering
• Exploring Northern Illinois craft beer beyond the Chicago scene

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Slalom King taste like? Slalom King delivers bold citrus hop flavor and floral aromatics backed by a firm malt sweetness and a distinctive dry rye spice. The bitterness is assertive at 60 IBU but stays balanced by the grain character.

How does Slalom King compare to a standard West Coast IPA? Reviewers note that Slalom King has a West Coast IPA-like resinous, piney hop presence, but the rye malt addition sets it apart by adding a peppery, drying spice that most traditional West Coast IPAs lack. At 7.5% ABV, it also runs slightly higher in strength than many benchmarks in that style.

Is Slalom King good for IPA beginners? Its 60 IBU and 7.5% ABV place it firmly in the intermediate range — approachable for those familiar with hoppy beers but potentially intense for someone accustomed only to light lagers or wheat beers.

Where is Slalom King made? Slalom King is brewed by Crystal Lake Brewing in Crystal Lake, Illinois, a small city in the Northern Illinois region about 50 miles northwest of Chicago. The brewery focuses on sourcing grain and hops from premium local suppliers.

What foods pair well with Slalom King? Spicy pulled pork tacos match the rye heat and hop bitterness. Sharp cheddar cheese mirrors the malt sweetness while standing up to the hops. Grilled bratwurst with mustard works because the spice in the rye complements the mustard bite. Thai green curry benefits from the citrus hop aromatics cutting through coconut richness. Smoked wings pair well as the hop bitterness cleanses smoky, fatty flavors.

What sizes does Slalom King come in? Slalom King is commonly available in a six-pack format, which is the standard retail configuration from Crystal Lake Brewing for this expression.

Is Slalom King worth the price? Slalom King positions as a mid-range craft IPA, and with an 85 on BeerAdvocate and strong community ratings on Untappd, it delivers solid value for a rye IPA with locally sourced ingredients and advanced hop extract technology.

Why Slalom King?

Slalom King stands on a production detail most IPAs cannot claim: Crystal Lake Brewing's use of Hopsteiner's Salvo™ hop extract technology allows the brewery to pack in maximum hop flavor and aroma without the process losses that come with traditional dry-hopping at this intensity. The rye malt component adds a dimension of dry, peppery spice that separates it from the saturated field of citrus-forward American IPAs. With an 85 on BeerAdvocate and more than 6,500 Untappd ratings holding steady at 3.7, it has earned consistent marks from a wide consumer base. For drinkers looking for something beyond a straightforward hop bomb — something with grain complexity and a distinctly Illinois identity — Slalom King delivers.