Goose Island Hazy Sundae 4Pk

Goose Island Hazy Sundae 4Pk is a double dry-hopped fruited hazy IPA from Goose Island Beer Company in Chicago, Illinois, at 6.5% ABV. What distinguishes this release is its triple-hop combination of Citra, Amarillo, and Simcoe — all subjected to a double dry-hopping process that amplifies aromatic intensity well beyond a standard single-hopped haze.

Quick Facts: ABV: 6.5%  |  Origin: Chicago, Illinois, USA  |  Style: Double Dry-Hopped Fruited Hazy IPA  |  Brewery: Goose Island Beer Company

Production & Heritage

Goose Island Beer Company was founded in 1988 in Chicago and has grown into one of the most recognized craft brewing names in the United States. Hazy Sundae uses a double dry-hopping technique, meaning hops are added in two separate charges during fermentation and conditioning rather than a single addition. The hop bill features Citra for tropical citrus punch, Amarillo for stone fruit and floral character, and Simcoe for pine-resin backbone — a deliberate combination that produces a layered, dessert-like haze rather than a one-dimensional juice bomb. The "fruited" designation in its style speaks to the beer's emphasis on fruit-forward hop expression and possible adjunct additions that reinforce the sundae-inspired concept.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Lemon custard leads immediately, followed by vanilla and a soft yeast character. The nose leans decidedly toward dessert territory, with the citrus brightness keeping it from becoming cloying.

Taste: First sips open with muted floral hops, bright lemon zest, and an unexpected spicy white pepper note that adds complexity. The mid-palate is well balanced, with touches reminiscent of Orangina — that specific blend of sweet orange and gentle carbonation bite. The mouthfeel runs cool and smooth, consistent with the hazy style's suspended proteins and yeast.

Finish: A defined bitterness emerges at the close, grounding the sweeter fruit and custard notes that precede it. The finish is moderate in length, with lingering citrus pith and a dry, lightly resinous quality from the Simcoe hops.

How to Drink Hazy Sundae

Pour into a tulip glass or wide-mouth pint glass at around 40–45°F to let the aromatic oils from the double dry-hopping express fully; drinking straight from the can mutes much of what makes this beer distinctive. For cocktail-adjacent serves, try a Hazy Sundae Shandy — half beer, half fresh lemonade — where the custard notes play against tart citrus. A Beer-mosa works well at brunch, substituting Hazy Sundae for the standard wheat beer and pairing its fruit-forward body with fresh orange juice. A Hop Drop — a shot of citrus vodka dropped into a half pint — amplifies the tropical character for a more spirited serve.

Best For

• Backyard cookouts where approachable hazy IPAs disappear fast
• Introducing hop-curious friends to the New England IPA style
• Building a craft beer tasting flight alongside other Chicago-brewed IPAs
• Pairing with rich, grilled foods that benefit from citrus-bitter contrast

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Hazy Sundae taste like? Hazy Sundae leads with lemon custard and vanilla sweetness, transitions through floral hops and citrus zest at mid-palate, and closes with a balanced bitterness. The overall impression is a dessert-inspired hazy IPA that stays drinkable thanks to its moderate 6.5% ABV and cool, smooth mouthfeel.

How does Hazy Sundae compare to Sierra Nevada Hazy Little Thing? Both are widely available hazy IPAs in a similar ABV range, but Hazy Sundae uses a double dry-hopping process with Citra, Amarillo, and Simcoe for a more layered, dessert-leaning profile. Hazy Little Thing tends toward a more straightforward tropical-juice character with a lighter body.

Is Hazy Sundae good for beginners? Yes — the 6.5% ABV is approachable, and the fruited, custard-forward flavor profile eases newcomers into the hazy IPA category without overwhelming bitterness. It bridges the gap between fruit-forward wheat beers and more aggressive IPAs.

Where is Hazy Sundae made? Hazy Sundae is brewed by Goose Island Beer Company, originally founded in 1988 in Chicago, Illinois. Goose Island operates brewing facilities in Chicago and is distributed nationally across the United States.

What foods pair well with Hazy Sundae? Grilled shrimp tacos benefit from the beer's citrus zest and soft bitterness. Rich burgers with sharp cheddar find balance against the lemon custard sweetness. Mango salsa and chips echo the tropical hop character. Lemon bars or key lime pie lean into the dessert-inspired profile. Spicy Thai noodles are tempered by the cool, smooth mouthfeel.

What sizes does Hazy Sundae come in? Goose Island Hazy Sundae is commonly available as a 4-pack of cans, which is the standard retail format for this release.

Is Hazy Sundae worth the price? Hazy Sundae positions as a mid-tier craft hazy IPA from a nationally recognized brewery, and its double dry-hopping process and three-hop bill deliver more complexity than many comparably priced single dry-hopped competitors. For drinkers who value aromatic intensity and a dessert-leaning twist on the hazy style, it represents solid value within its category.

Why Hazy Sundae?

The double dry-hopping process is the clearest differentiator here — two separate hop additions with Citra, Amarillo, and Simcoe build an aromatic depth that single-charge hazies struggle to match. The dessert-inspired character, with its lemon custard and vanilla notes, carves out a specific identity in a crowded hazy IPA field where most competitors lean toward generic tropical-juice profiles. Goose Island's three decades of brewing experience in Chicago lend credibility to the execution, and the 6.5% ABV keeps the beer sessionable enough for a full four-pack sitting. For hazy IPA drinkers looking for something with genuine personality rather than another interchangeable juice bomb, Hazy Sundae earns attention.