Finch 606 6Pk

Finch 606 6-Pack is a 5.1% ABV American pale ale from Finch Beer Co. in Chicago, sold as a six-pack of 12 oz cans. Named as a tribute to Chicago's 606 zip code prefix, this pale ale pairs Mosaic and Simcoe hops with American-grown barley for a bright, approachable take on the style, earning a 3.5 out of 5 rating on Untappd across more than 600 reviews.

Quick Facts: ABV: 5.1%  |  IBU: 26  |  Origin: Chicago, Illinois, USA  |  Style: American Pale Ale  |  Brewery: Finch Beer Co.

Production & Heritage

Finch Beer Co. operates out of 1800 W. Walnut Street in Chicago, where a 30-barrel automated brewing system capable of producing roughly 18,000 barrels annually gives the brewery serious production muscle. The 606 is built on a straightforward grain bill of American-grown barley, hopped with Mosaic and Simcoe — two varieties prized for their complementary tropical and resinous characteristics. At 26 IBUs, the beer sits on the restrained end of the pale ale spectrum, prioritizing balance and drinkability over hop aggression.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Ripe orange peel and sweet peach rise first, followed by a piney, resinous undertone from the Simcoe hops. A light grainy malt backbone rounds out the nose without competing with the hop character.

Taste: The entry is clean and lightly malty, quickly giving way to a mid-palate burst of pithy citrus and tropical stone fruit. Pine resin weaves through the middle, but the overall impression stays bright and balanced rather than aggressively bitter.

Finish: The finish is moderate in length, clean, and dry with a subtle lingering bitterness. A faint echo of peach sweetness and cracker-like malt trails off smoothly.

How to Drink Finch 606

Straight from the can or poured into a shaker pint at 40–45°F, the 606 is built for easy, no-fuss drinking. Its moderate bitterness and citrus-forward profile also make it a strong base for beer cocktails: try a Shandy with fresh lemonade to amplify the citrus notes, a Michelada where the pine and citrus cut through the tomato and hot sauce, or a Radler blended with grapefruit soda for a refreshing low-ABV sipper.

Best For

• Backyard cookouts and casual warm-weather gatherings
• Introducing hop-curious drinkers to American pale ale without overwhelming bitterness
• Stocking a cooler for watching Chicago sports with friends
• Pairing with grilled foods where a clean, balanced beer won't overpower the plate

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Finch 606 taste like? Finch 606 delivers bright citrus peel and ripe peach with a piney undercurrent, all supported by a light malt body. It finishes clean and dry at a restrained 26 IBUs, making it approachable rather than hop-forward.

How does Finch 606 compare to Sierra Nevada Pale Ale? Sierra Nevada Pale Ale is hoppier and more firmly bitter, built around Cascade hops with a more pronounced caramel malt backbone. Finch 606 runs lighter in body and bitterness, leaning into tropical and stone-fruit hop flavors from its Mosaic and Simcoe combination rather than the classic floral-citrus Cascade profile.

Is Finch 606 good for beginners? Yes — at 5.1% ABV and just 26 IBUs, it sits on the gentler end of the American pale ale range, making it an excellent entry point for anyone exploring craft beer beyond lagers and wheat beers.

Where is Finch 606 made? Finch 606 is brewed by Finch Beer Co. at their facility on West Walnut Street in Chicago, Illinois. The brewery uses a 30-barrel automated system with an annual capacity of approximately 18,000 barrels.

What foods pair well with Finch 606? Grilled chicken or bratwurst benefits from the beer's citrus cut and moderate carbonation. Fish tacos with mango salsa mirror the tropical hop notes. A simple cheddar burger lets the pine and citrus provide contrast. Lightly spiced Thai dishes work well since the low bitterness won't clash with chili heat. Fresh goat cheese salads complement the beer's clean, dry finish.

What sizes does Finch 606 come in? Finch 606 is available in a six-pack of 12 oz cans, the brewery's standard retail format for this pale ale.

Is Finch 606 worth the price? Finch 606 positions as a craft pale ale at a mainstream price tier, competing directly with other regional six-packs. For drinkers who want hop complexity without extreme bitterness, it represents solid value within the American pale ale category.

Why Finch 606?

The dual-hop combination of Mosaic and Simcoe gives the 606 a more layered flavor profile than many pale ales at this IBU level, delivering tropical fruit and pine without the aggressive bitterness that can fatigue the palate over a full session. Brewed exclusively with American-grown hops and barley, it stays true to its stated mission as an homage to classic American craft brewing. The 5.1% ABV keeps it squarely in sessionable territory, and the clean, balanced construction makes it one of the more versatile pale ales to come out of Chicago's craft scene. For a beer that nods to old-school pale ale roots while using modern hop varieties, the 606 fills a specific and welcome niche.