Destihl Deadhead Variety 12Pk

Destihl Deadhead Variety 12Pk is a mixed 12-pack of four hop-forward IPAs from DESTIHL Brewery, with ABVs ranging from 5% to 7.4% across 12 fl oz cans. The pack's flagship inclusion, TourBus DDH Hazy IPA, earned a Gold Medal at the 2025 Great American Beer Festival in the Juicy or Hazy India Pale Ale category — along with a 95/100 score from Craft Beer & Brewing Magazine.

Quick Facts: ABV: 5%–7.4% (varies by style)  |  Origin: Normal, Illinois, USA  |  Style: IPA Variety Pack  |  Brewery: DESTIHL Brewery (est. 2007)

Production & Heritage

DESTIHL Brewery was founded in 2007 in Normal, Illinois, and operates a 120-barrel brewhouse capable of producing over 150,000 barrels annually. The Deadhead Variety 12-Pack brings together four IPA expressions under one roof: TourBus, a double dry-hopped hazy IPA at 7.4% ABV; West Coast IPA, a classically bitter American IPA at 6.9% ABV; Easy Haze, a sessionable hazy IPA at 5% ABV; and a rotating Special Guest double dry-hopped hazy IPA that changes with each release cycle. The variety pack itself took Gold at the 2023 U.S. Open Beer Championship in the Variety IPA Pack category, and scored 92 points from Craft Beer & Brewing Magazine the same year.

Tasting Notes

TourBus (DDH Hazy IPA, 7.4%): Bursts of lime zest, grapefruit pith, and tropical fruit — passion fruit, mango, and melon — layered over a creamy, full body. The mouthfeel is rich and resinous with a pithy, dank finish.

West Coast IPA (6.9%): Tangerine and grapefruit aromatics from Citra and Mosaic hops lead into a firm bitter backbone, with a piney edge courtesy of Chinook hops. The finish is crisp and dry, staying true to the West Coast tradition.

Easy Haze (5%): Juicy and refreshing with a lighter body designed for extended sessions. Tropical fruit notes come through cleanly without the weight of its higher-ABV siblings.

Special Guest (Rotating): A double dry-hopped hazy IPA that changes periodically, giving each pack a built-in element of discovery. ABV varies by release.

How to Drink Deadhead Variety

Each of the four styles is best enjoyed cold from the can or poured into a tulip glass to release hop aromatics. TourBus and the Special Guest shine on their own, while Easy Haze makes an ideal daytime sipper. West Coast IPA pairs well as a standalone bitter counterpoint to the juicier selections in the pack.

Best For

• Hosting a backyard gathering where guests have different IPA preferences
• Exploring multiple hop-forward styles without committing to a full six-pack of each
• Gifting a craft beer enthusiast who appreciates award-winning IPAs
• Building a personal tasting flight to compare hazy, West Coast, and session IPA styles side by side

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the Deadhead Variety Pack taste like? The pack spans a wide flavor range — from the tropical, creamy richness of TourBus and its passion fruit and mango notes, to the piney, grapefruit-driven bitterness of the West Coast IPA, to the light and juicy Easy Haze. The rotating Special Guest adds a new hop-forward profile with each release.

How does the Deadhead Variety compare to Sierra Nevada's IPA variety packs? Sierra Nevada's mixed IPA packs tend to lean on well-established flagship recipes, while the Deadhead Variety centers on double dry-hopped hazy styles and includes a rotating beer that changes with each batch. The Deadhead pack also carries specific accolades including a 2023 U.S. Open Beer Championship Gold Medal for the variety pack format itself.

Is the Deadhead Variety good for exploring IPAs? It is one of the stronger introductory variety packs for IPA exploration because it covers three distinct substyles — hazy, West Coast, and session — plus a wildcard rotating selection, all in a single 12-pack.

Where is the Deadhead Variety made? All four beers are brewed at DESTIHL Brewery's production facility in Normal, Illinois, located in the central Midwest. The brewery has operated since 2007 and runs a large-scale 120-barrel brewhouse.

What foods pair well with the Deadhead Variety? TourBus pairs naturally with spicy tacos or Thai curry, where its tropical fruit character complements the heat. West Coast IPA cuts through the richness of a cheeseburger or fish and chips. Easy Haze works alongside lighter fare like grilled shrimp or a citrus-dressed salad. The Special Guest rotator is versatile enough for charcuterie boards.

What sizes does the Deadhead Variety come in? The standard format is a 12-pack of 12 fl oz cans containing three cans each of the four included IPA styles.

Is the Deadhead Variety worth the price? It positions as a mid-tier craft variety pack, but the inclusion of a GABF Gold Medal winner in TourBus and the rotating Special Guest beer deliver above-average value for the format.

Why Deadhead Variety?

Few IPA variety packs can claim a beer inside with both a Great American Beer Festival Gold Medal and a 95/100 score from Craft Beer & Brewing Magazine — TourBus alone justifies the purchase for hazy IPA fans. The pack earned its own Gold at the 2023 U.S. Open Beer Championship, validating the overall curation rather than a single standout. The rotating Special Guest slot keeps repeat purchases interesting, and the range from 5% to 7.4% ABV means the pack suits both a slow afternoon and a more deliberate tasting session. For drinkers who want genuine stylistic diversity rather than four minor variations on the same theme, this pack delivers.