Hop Butcher Choice Stock 4Pk

Hop Butcher Choice Stock 4Pk is a 6.5% ABV India Pale Ale brewed with Strata and Nectaron hops, sold in a four-pack of cans. This limited-rotation release earned a 90-point score on BeerAdvocate and an A- grade from Drinkhacker, placing it among the more acclaimed entries in Hop Butcher's constantly evolving lineup.

Quick Facts: ABV: 6.5%  |  Origin: Illinois, USA  |  Style: India Pale Ale  |  Brewery: Hop Butcher for The World

Production & Heritage

Hop Butcher for The World operates out of a 25,000-square-foot production facility in Bedford Park, Illinois. The brewery is known for its "constant churn" philosophy — no single beer stays on the roster permanently, and each release is canned in small batches before rotating out. Choice Stock was last canned on January 22, 2025, and features a dual-hop bill of Strata (known for tropical passionfruit and strawberry character) and Nectaron (bred in New Zealand for its stone fruit and pineapple intensity). This hop pairing drives the beer's fruit-forward identity without relying on heavy bittering.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Tangerine bursts from the can immediately upon pouring, followed by layers of ripe tropical fruit and mild citrus. Subtle dry wheat notes linger underneath, keeping the nose from veering into pure juice territory.

Taste: The entry is sweet and juicy, led by cara cara orange and pineapple that coat the palate. Mid-palate brings ripe mango and additional tropical depth, while a very gentle hop bitterness emerges toward the back, grounding the fruit sweetness. The mouthfeel reads full and soft without becoming cloying.

Finish: A light, clean bitterness carries through with residual citrus peel and faint wheat dryness. The finish is moderate in length, encouraging the next sip rather than lingering heavily.

How to Drink Choice Stock

Pour Choice Stock into a tulip glass or wide-mouth pint glass at around 40–45°F to let the aromatic hop oils open up fully. Drink it fresh — hazy IPAs like this are at their peak within weeks of canning. For food pairing, it drinks exceptionally well alongside fish tacos (the citrus mirrors lime and cilantro), Thai green curry (tropical fruit tempers the heat), or a simple charcuterie board with mild, creamy cheeses that contrast the hop brightness.

Best For

• Hop-forward IPA drinkers exploring limited-rotation craft releases
• Gifting to a craft beer enthusiast who values small-batch scarcity
• Weekend cookouts where a juicy, approachable IPA pairs with grilled food
• Building a tasting flight alongside other tropical-hopped IPAs

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Choice Stock taste like? Choice Stock delivers sweet, juicy cara cara orange and pineapple up front, transitioning to ripe mango with a gentle hop bitterness on the close. It reads as fruit-forward and soft rather than aggressively bitter.

How does Choice Stock compare to WeldWerks IPAs? Both Hop Butcher and WeldWerks are recognized for hazy, fruit-driven IPAs with soft mouthfeel and restrained bitterness. Choice Stock leans especially tropical thanks to its Strata and Nectaron hop combination, while WeldWerks offerings often emphasize a broader range of hop varieties and occasionally incorporate adjuncts like lactose.

Is Choice Stock good for IPA beginners? Yes — at 6.5% ABV with minimal harsh bitterness and dominant fruit character, Choice Stock is an approachable entry point for anyone curious about modern hazy IPAs.

Where is Choice Stock made? Choice Stock is brewed by Hop Butcher for The World at their 25,000-square-foot production facility in Bedford Park, Illinois, a suburb just southwest of Chicago.

What foods pair well with Choice Stock? Grilled shrimp or fish tacos complement the citrus hop character. Thai or Vietnamese dishes with lemongrass and chili balance against the tropical sweetness. Soft, mild cheeses like burrata or fresh mozzarella provide a creamy counterpoint. A citrus-dressed arugula salad mirrors the beer's bright acidity.

What sizes does Choice Stock come in? Choice Stock is available as a four-pack of cans, the standard format for Hop Butcher's rotating IPA releases.

Is Choice Stock worth the price? Choice Stock positions as a premium craft IPA within the small-batch, limited-rotation segment. Its 90-point BeerAdvocate score, 4.1 Untappd rating across more than 2,300 check-ins, and scarcity-driven production model support its value for drinkers who prioritize freshness and quality hop expression.

Why Choice Stock?

Hop Butcher's rotating model means Choice Stock exists in limited windows — once a batch sells through, there is no guarantee of its return. That scarcity is backed by substance: the Strata and Nectaron hop pairing delivers a distinctly tropical profile that stands apart from the Citra-and-Mosaic formulas dominating the hazy IPA space. A 90-point BeerAdvocate score and an A- from Drinkhacker confirm that the execution matches the concept. For drinkers who want a genuinely fresh, small-batch IPA with verifiable critical praise, Choice Stock delivers on that promise without relying on hype alone.