Hop Butcher Flames, Crowns, and Loot 4Pk

Hop Butcher Flames, Crowns, and Loot 4Pk is a 7.75% ABV Double India Pale Ale sold in a four-pack of 16 oz cans, brewed as a collaboration between Hop Butcher For The World and Toppling Goliath Brewing Co. The beer carries a 4.2 out of 5 rating on Untappd across hundreds of reviews, reflecting the high expectations that come when two of the Midwest's most respected hop-forward breweries join forces.

Quick Facts: ABV: 7.75%  |  Origin: Chicago, Illinois  |  Style: Double IPA  |  Brewery: Hop Butcher For The World x Toppling Goliath Brewing Co.

Production & Heritage

Hop Butcher For The World operates out of Chicago's Lincoln Avenue neighborhood with a production facility in Bedford Park, Illinois. The brewery has built a devoted following through an aggressive release schedule of fresh, hop-saturated IPAs distributed almost exclusively in limited runs. Flames, Crowns, and Loot features a hop bill of Simcoe, Citra, Riwaka, and El Dorado — a combination that leans heavily into tropical and exotic citrus territory. The collaboration partner, Toppling Goliath Brewing Co. of Decorah, Iowa, brings its own pedigree in world-class hop-forward ales, making this release a meaningful pairing of Midwestern brewing talent rather than a simple co-branding exercise. Like most Hop Butcher releases, this beer is designed to be consumed fresh, with canning dates clearly printed on each can.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Tropical fruit and citrus dominate the nose immediately upon cracking the can. Riwaka and Citra contribute layers of passionfruit and grapefruit zest, with a softer melon-like undertone from El Dorado.

Taste: The entry is semi-sweet and juicy, carrying a near-milkshake-like body that coats the palate with ripe tropical fruit. Mid-palate, Simcoe's resinous pine character emerges alongside assertive hop bitterness, balancing the sweetness. Exotic citrus flavors — think yuzu and key lime — build through the peak, keeping the beer lively rather than cloying.

Finish: Medium in length with a semi-bitter, grapefruit-pith dryness that pulls the palate back to neutral. A lingering tropical sweetness and light herbal note from Simcoe remain as the bitterness fades.

How to Drink Flames, Crowns, and Loot

Drink this DIPA cold — around 40–45°F — straight from the can or poured into a tulip glass to concentrate the aromatics. Fresh consumption is essential; hop character degrades quickly, so drink it as close to the canning date as possible. While Double IPAs are typically enjoyed on their own, this beer's tropical profile also works in a Hop Shandy blended with fresh lemonade for a sessionable warm-weather drink, a Michelada variation where the citrus hops replace the usual lime-heavy base, or a Beer-a-Rita where its juicy body substitutes for lighter lagers in a beer-margarita hybrid.

Best For

• Sharing with fellow IPA enthusiasts who follow limited craft releases
• Bringing to a barbecue or cookout as a standout four-pack
• Gifting to a craft beer collector who values brewery collaborations
• Pairing with a taco night or spicy takeout spread

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Flames, Crowns, and Loot taste like? It drinks semi-sweet and juicy with assertive tropical fruit and exotic citrus flavors from its Citra, Riwaka, El Dorado, and Simcoe hop combination. A semi-bitter backbone keeps it from leaning too sweet, giving it a balanced Double IPA profile.

How does Flames, Crowns, and Loot compare to Toppling Goliath's Fire, Skulls & Money? Both are Double IPAs with tropical hop profiles, but Fire, Skulls & Money is generally considered more intensely hopped and fuller-bodied based on consumer feedback. Flames, Crowns, and Loot takes a slightly softer, juicier approach that reflects Hop Butcher's signature hazy style.

Is Flames, Crowns, and Loot good for sipping on its own? Yes — its 7.75% ABV and juicy, fruit-forward character make it a satisfying standalone pour, especially when consumed fresh and cold from the can or a tulip glass.

Where is Flames, Crowns, and Loot made? It is brewed by Hop Butcher For The World, a Chicago-based brewery with its primary production facility in Bedford Park, Illinois, in collaboration with Toppling Goliath Brewing Co. of Decorah, Iowa.

What foods pair well with Flames, Crowns, and Loot? Spicy fish tacos work well, as the beer's tropical sweetness tempers capsaicin heat. Grilled chicken with a citrus marinade echoes the hop profile. Sharp cheddar or pepper jack cheese contrasts nicely with the juicy body. Thai green curry provides aromatic complexity that matches the exotic citrus notes. Smoked pulled pork benefits from the beer's bitterness cutting through the richness of the meat.

What sizes does Flames, Crowns, and Loot come in? It is available in a four-pack of 16 oz cans, which is the standard format for Hop Butcher's DIPA releases.

Is Flames, Crowns, and Loot worth the price? It positions in the premium craft DIPA tier, where collaboration releases between respected breweries typically command a modest premium over standard four-packs. The combination of a limited production run, quality hop selection, and the reputation of both breweries supports its pricing within the category.

Why Flames, Crowns, and Loot?

The collaboration between Hop Butcher and Toppling Goliath is the central draw here — two Midwestern breweries with strong reputations for hop-forward ales pooling their expertise into a single DIPA. The Simcoe, Citra, Riwaka, and El Dorado hop combination produces a layered tropical and citrus character that distinguishes it from single-hop or more conventional West Coast-style doubles. Hop Butcher's commitment to freshness means this beer is built to drink now, not cellar, and its limited availability adds genuine scarcity. For drinkers who track collaboration releases and want a juicy, assertive Double IPA with real provenance behind it, this four-pack delivers on both fronts.