Half Acre Double Seasonal 4Pk

Half Acre Double Seasonal 4Pk is a rotating imperial-strength ale from Half Acre Beer Company in Chicago, sold in a 4-pack of 16oz cans. As a seasonal release, each edition showcases a different recipe amplified to double proportions, drawing on the brewery's well-established reputation for aggressive, hop-driven ales.

Quick Facts: ABV: Varies by seasonal release (typically 8–9%)  |  Origin: Chicago, Illinois  |  Style: Imperial / Double Ale (Rotating Seasonal)  |  Brewery: Half Acre Beer Company

Production & Heritage

Half Acre Beer Company was founded in 2006 by Gabriel Magliaro on the north side of Chicago and has since grown into one of the city's most respected independent breweries. The "Double" designation in Half Acre's lineup signals a scaled-up grain bill and intensified hopping regimen — a formula the brewery perfected with its celebrated Double Daisy Cutter. Each Double Seasonal edition is built around whatever seasonal recipe the brewing team is running at the time, pushed to imperial strength with additional malt backbone and, typically, generous dry-hop additions using varieties the brewery sources directly from hop farms in the Pacific Northwest.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Because this is a rotating release, specific aromatics shift with each edition. Half Acre's double ales consistently deliver bold hop presence — expect resinous, citrus-forward, or tropical aromatics depending on the hop bill selected for the current seasonal run.

Taste: A substantial malt body anchors the palate, providing the structure needed to support elevated bitterness and hop flavor. Mid-palate richness typically leans toward biscuit or light caramel, while the hop character pushes through with intensity that ranges from piney and dank to bright and fruit-driven. Bitterness is assertive, consistent with Half Acre's house style — these are not soft, hazy imperials.

Finish: The finish tends toward firm bitterness with lingering hop resin and a drying quality that keeps things balanced despite the higher ABV. Residual warmth from the imperial strength rounds out each sip without becoming boozy.

How to Drink Double Seasonal

Pour into a tulip glass or wide-mouth pint to open up the aromatics — a cold but not ice-cold serve around 45–50°F lets the malt complexity emerge alongside the hops. Given its rotating nature and imperial weight, this beer is best appreciated on its own rather than buried in a cocktail. That said, hoppy imperial ales can work as a float on a Beer Margarita for a bitter-citrus contrast, in a Michelada where the hop bite amplifies the savory-spicy framework, or blended into a Black and Tan layered over a lighter stout for textural depth.

Best For

• Exploring Half Acre's seasonal range beyond their year-round lineup
• Sharing among hop-forward beer enthusiasts at a tasting session
• Pairing with a backyard cookout featuring bold, smoky flavors
• Gifting a craft beer fan who appreciates Chicago's brewing scene

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Double Seasonal taste like? Each release varies, but Half Acre's double ales are known for assertive hop bitterness, a sturdy malt backbone with biscuit-like sweetness, and prominent citrus or resinous hop flavors. These are bold, full-bodied imperial ales that lean firmly bitter rather than soft or juicy.

How does Double Seasonal compare to Double Daisy Cutter? Double Daisy Cutter is Half Acre's flagship imperial pale ale built around a consistent Simcoe, Amarillo, CTZ, and Citra hop bill, while Double Seasonal rotates its recipe with each edition, offering different hop combinations and malt profiles throughout the year. Both share Half Acre's commitment to aggressive hopping and firm bitterness, but Double Seasonal provides variety where Double Daisy Cutter provides a known benchmark.

Is Double Seasonal good for sipping? Yes — the imperial strength and layered hop character reward slow, deliberate drinking from a proper glass, especially at a slightly warmer serving temperature that lets the malt complexity develop.

Where is Double Seasonal made? Double Seasonal is brewed by Half Acre Beer Company on the north side of Chicago, Illinois. Half Acre has operated in Chicago since 2006 and is one of the city's leading independent craft breweries.

What foods pair well with Double Seasonal? Smoked brisket or pulled pork, where the hop bitterness cuts through fat and char. Sharp aged cheddar, which matches the malt sweetness and amplifies hop resin. Spicy Thai curry, where the beer's body tempers heat while tropical hop notes echo the aromatics. Grilled burgers topped with strong blue cheese, creating a bitter-savory contrast. Pepperoni pizza, a classic pairing where hop bitterness balances grease and salt.

What sizes does Double Seasonal come in? The standard format is a 4-pack of 16oz cans, which is Half Acre's typical packaging for their imperial and specialty releases.

Is Double Seasonal worth the price? Double Seasonal positions within the premium craft tier typical of imperial-strength seasonal releases from established independent breweries. The rotating recipe adds collectibility and variety, and Half Acre's consistent quality across its double-strength lineup provides confidence in the value proposition.

Why Double Seasonal?

Half Acre's strength has always been in hop-forward ales with real backbone, and the Double Seasonal series channels that intensity into a format that changes with the seasons. Unlike the brewery's year-round flagships, each Double Seasonal edition is a limited window into whatever ingredients and ideas the brewing team is most excited about at that moment — amplified to imperial proportions. For drinkers who already know and trust Half Acre's approach through beers like Daisy Cutter and its double counterpart, the seasonal rotation offers a reason to keep coming back. It represents the brewery at its most experimental within a proven framework of bold, bitter, uncompromising ale.