Drekker Metaphase 4Pk

Drekker Metaphase 4Pk is a hazy double IPA from Drekker Brewing Company in Fargo, North Dakota, clocking in at 8.2% ABV and sold in a 4-pack of 16oz cans. Double dry hopped with Citra and Nelson Sauvin, Metaphase carries a 4.2 out of 5 rating on Untappd across nearly 8,000 reviews — a strong consensus for a beer in the crowded hazy DIPA category.

Quick Facts: ABV: 8.2%  |  Origin: Fargo, North Dakota  |  Style: Hazy Double IPA  |  Brewery: Drekker Brewing Company

Production & Heritage

Drekker Brewing Company has built a devoted following in the Upper Midwest with a roster of inventive, hop-forward ales and boundary-pushing fruited sours. Metaphase sits squarely in their hazy IPA lineup, built on a grain bill of oats and spelt that creates a notably fluffy, pillowy body — a textural hallmark that separates it from thinner double IPAs. The beer is then double dry hopped with Citra and Nelson Sauvin, a pairing that bridges classic tropical citrus with the white grape and gooseberry character Nelson Sauvin is prized for.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Hoppy citrus leads the nose immediately, followed by waves of ripe melon and tropical fruit. A secondary layer of pineapple and papaya emerges as the beer warms slightly in the glass.

Taste: The entry is soft and round, owing to that oat-and-spelt body, with orange and tangerine arriving first on the palate. Mid-palate shifts toward pineapple, mango, and sweet papaya before Nelson Sauvin's signature white grape note takes hold. A thread of green citrus and grapefruit rind adds welcome bitterness, preventing the tropical fruit from becoming one-dimensional.

Finish: Surprisingly dry for a beer this loaded with hop oils, with moderate carbonation keeping everything clean. Lingering notes of citrus rind and melon fade gradually, inviting the next sip.

How to Drink Metaphase

Pour Metaphase into a tulip glass or wide-mouthed IPA glass at around 40–45°F to let the full aromatic profile open up; drinking straight from the can mutes much of the hop expression. While hazy DIPAs are generally best enjoyed on their own, Metaphase's juicy tropical character works in a Hazy IPA Shandy (equal parts beer and fresh lemonade over ice for a sessionable warm-weather drink), a Beermosa (mixed with fresh-squeezed orange juice, where Metaphase's citrus notes amplify the pairing naturally), or a Hop Paloma — a riff using a splash of grapefruit soda and a salted rim to complement the beer's grapefruit rind bitterness.

Best For

• Sharing with fellow hazy IPA enthusiasts during a tasting lineup
• Backyard cookouts and grilling sessions where bold flavors hold up to smoky food
• Gifting to a craft beer fan who appreciates Midwest-brewed haze
• Pairing nights exploring hop-forward beers alongside spicy or tropical cuisines

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Metaphase taste like? Metaphase delivers layered tropical fruit — orange, pineapple, papaya, and mango — underscored by a distinctive white grape note from Nelson Sauvin hops. The oat-and-spelt grain bill gives it a soft, pillowy body, and the finish is notably dry for the style.

How does Metaphase compare to Hop Butcher The Jewels? Both are highly rated hazy double IPAs, but Metaphase leans more heavily into citrus rind and pine character, while The Jewels tends toward a smoother, more uniformly tropical profile. The oat-and-spelt base in Metaphase also gives it a denser mouthfeel compared to many Hop Butcher releases.

Is Metaphase good for sipping on its own? Absolutely — at 8.2% ABV, it rewards slow, deliberate drinking from a proper glass, where its complex hop aromatics and dry finish come through most clearly.

Where is Metaphase made? Metaphase is brewed by Drekker Brewing Company in Fargo, North Dakota. Drekker has become one of the most recognized craft breweries in the Upper Midwest, known for hazy IPAs and inventive sour ales.

What foods pair well with Metaphase? Spicy Thai green curry mirrors the tropical fruit while the beer's carbonation cuts through the heat. Grilled shrimp tacos with mango salsa echo the citrus-tropical profile. A sharp aged cheddar contrasts the soft body nicely. Fish and chips benefit from the dry, bitter finish, and pepperoni pizza finds balance with the beer's hop bitterness and fruity sweetness.

What sizes does Metaphase come in? Metaphase is commonly available in a 4-pack of 16oz cans, the standard format for Drekker's hazy IPA releases.

Is Metaphase worth the price? Metaphase positions in the premium craft DIPA tier, consistent with other double dry hopped hazy imperials from respected regional breweries. Its Untappd rating of 4.2 across nearly 8,000 reviews suggests strong value within that segment, and the distinctive Citra-Nelson Sauvin hop combination gives it a flavor profile that stands apart from more common Citra-Mosaic pairings.

Why Metaphase?

What separates Metaphase from the sea of hazy DIPAs is the deliberate pairing of Citra with Nelson Sauvin — a New Zealand hop that contributes white grape and gooseberry notes rarely found in American-brewed hazies. The oat-and-spelt grain bill is equally intentional, engineering a body that feels plush without becoming heavy or cloying at 8.2% ABV. Nearly 8,000 Untappd ratings averaging 4.2 out of 5 confirm this isn't hype-driven — it's a consistently well-executed double IPA from a brewery that has earned its reputation in one of craft beer's most competitive styles. For drinkers seeking a hazy DIPA with genuine complexity and a clean, dry finish, Metaphase delivers on every count.