Goose Island Hazy IPA NOW 4Pk

Goose Island Hazy IPA NOW 4Pk is a dry-hopped hazy India Pale Ale from Chicago's Goose Island Beer Company, sold in a 4-pack at 6.8% ABV. Part of the brewery's rotating IPA Now series, each release spotlights a different hop combination — this version features Galaxy, Mapuche, and Mandarina Bavaria hops for a tropical, citrus-driven profile.

Quick Facts: ABV: 6.8%  |  Origin: Chicago, Illinois, USA  |  Style: Hazy IPA (Rotating Hop Series)  |  Brewery: Goose Island Beer Company  |  IBU: 31

Production & Heritage

Goose Island Beer Company was founded in 1988 in Chicago, Illinois, and has grown into one of America's most recognized craft-origin breweries — now owned by Anheuser-Busch InBev since 2011. The IPA Now series was created to showcase a different blend of hops with each release, making every batch a distinct drinking experience rather than a fixed recipe. This Hazy IPA NOW expression is dry hopped with Galaxy hops from Australia, Mapuche hops, and Germany's Mandarina Bavaria hops, yielding a juicy, tropical character built on a light malt body at a moderate 31 IBU.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Ripe apricot and tropical fruit lead the nose, followed by delicate floral notes contributed by the Mandarina Bavaria hops. A subtle citrus peel brightness rounds out the aromatics.

Taste: The entry is immediately juicy, with pineapple and banana flavors hitting the front palate. Mid-palate, citrus notes emerge alongside a light, pillowy malt backbone that keeps the body approachable. A gentle touch of hop bitterness surfaces at the peak without overwhelming the fruit-forward character.

Finish: The finish is smooth and moderately short, with lingering tropical fruit sweetness. The low 31 IBU ensures minimal lingering bitterness, leaving a clean, refreshing impression.

How to Drink Hazy IPA NOW

Pour into a tulip glass or standard pint glass at around 40–45°F to let the hop aromatics open up fully. This beer drinks well straight from the can on warm days but rewards a proper pour with amplified tropical aromas. Its juicy, low-bitterness character also makes it a solid base for beer cocktails: try a Citrus Shandy with fresh lemonade to amplify the pineapple notes; a Michelada where the tropical fruit plays against lime and hot sauce; or a Beermosa with fresh-squeezed orange juice at brunch, where the banana and citrus flavors complement the OJ naturally.

Best For

• Casual backyard gatherings where a flavorful but easy-drinking IPA fits the mood
• Hop-curious drinkers exploring hazy IPAs beyond the usual suspects
• Trying alongside other IPA Now releases to compare rotating hop profiles
• Pairing with grilled foods at a summer cookout

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Hazy IPA NOW taste like? It delivers prominent pineapple, banana, and citrus flavors over a light malt body with a juicy, easy-drinking character. At 31 IBU, bitterness is restrained, making this a fruit-forward hazy IPA rather than a hop-bitter one.

How does Hazy IPA NOW compare to Sierra Nevada Hazy Little Thing? Both are widely available hazy IPAs, but Hazy IPA NOW runs slightly higher in ABV at 6.8% compared to Hazy Little Thing's 6.7%, and its rotating hop bill means the flavor profile changes between releases. Hazy Little Thing uses a consistent Simcoe, Citra, and Comet hop blend for a more citrus-centric profile, while this Hazy IPA NOW leans more tropical with its Galaxy, Mapuche, and Mandarina Bavaria combination.

Is Hazy IPA NOW good for IPA beginners? Yes — the low 31 IBU and juicy, fruit-forward flavor profile make it a welcoming entry point for drinkers who find traditional West Coast IPAs too bitter.

Where is Hazy IPA NOW made? It is brewed by Goose Island Beer Company, which was founded in Chicago, Illinois in 1988. The brewery operates under the Anheuser-Busch InBev umbrella, with production based in Illinois.

What foods pair well with Hazy IPA NOW? Grilled chicken or shrimp tacos complement the tropical hop notes; spicy Thai curry plays well against the juicy sweetness; a citrus-dressed arugula salad echoes the beer's bright aromatics; fish and chips benefit from the light bitterness cutting through the fried batter; and soft, mild cheeses like burrata let the hop flavors take center stage.

What sizes does Hazy IPA NOW come in? It is available in a 4-pack format, which is the standard offering for this expression in the IPA Now series.

Is Hazy IPA NOW worth the price? Hazy IPA NOW positions as a mid-range craft hazy IPA — competitively placed alongside other nationally distributed hazy IPAs. The rotating hop concept adds novelty value, giving repeat buyers a reason to revisit the series with each new release.

Why Hazy IPA NOW?

The defining feature of the IPA Now series is its rotating hop bill — each release is a one-time combination, making this Galaxy, Mapuche, and Mandarina Bavaria version a limited expression rather than a permanent lineup beer. That approach sets it apart from the majority of hazy IPAs on the market, which use fixed recipes batch after batch. At 6.8% ABV with only 31 IBU, the beer delivers genuine tropical intensity without fatiguing the palate, striking a balance that rewards both casual drinkers and hop enthusiasts paying attention to varietal differences. For anyone interested in how specific hop varieties shape a beer's character, each IPA Now release serves as a practical, drinkable study in hop diversity.