Hop Butcher Riwakamania 4Pk

Hop Butcher Riwakamania 4Pk is a 6.5% ABV hazy New England-style IPA sold in a 4-pack of 16oz cans, brewed with Citra and Riwaka hops. This release from Chicago's Hop Butcher for the World showcases the distinctive character of New Zealand-grown Riwaka — a hop variety prized for its intense tropical and citrus aromatics — paired with the always-reliable punch of Citra.

Quick Facts: ABV: 6.5%  |  Origin: Chicago, Illinois  |  Style: New England / Hazy IPA  |  Brewery: Hop Butcher for the World  |  Format: 4-pack, 16oz cans

Production & Heritage

Hop Butcher for the World operates out of its facility at 4257 N Lincoln Ave in Chicago, Illinois, where the brewery has built a devoted following for its rotating lineup of hop-forward ales. A hallmark of the operation is speed to market — Hop Butcher distributes fresh beer often only hours or days after canning, prioritizing hop vibrancy over shelf stability. Riwakamania spotlights a double punch of Citra and Riwaka hops, with the Riwaka component sourced from New Zealand's Nelson region, known for producing hops with distinctive stone fruit and citrus oil profiles. The series has seen multiple numbered iterations (Riwakamania I through IX and beyond), each exploring different hop combinations, though the core pairing of Citra and Riwaka defines the flagship expression.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with bright citrus peel and ripe mango, followed by layers of passion fruit and a subtle earthy quality characteristic of New Zealand hops. There is a clean, inviting freshness throughout with no harsh vegetal tones.

Taste: The entry is juicy and fruit-forward, with sweet orange and ripe mango arriving immediately on the palate. At mid-palate, the mango sweetness is balanced by lighter notes of grapefruit and peach, while the body stays medium and accessible. There is no perceived bitterness in the traditional sense — the hop character reads as fruit-driven rather than resinous or piney.

Finish: The finish transitions from lingering tropical sweetness to a surprisingly bone-dry close, with medium carbonation keeping things clean and refreshing. A faint echo of citrus pith lingers briefly before the palate resets.

How to Drink Riwakamania

Riwakamania is best enjoyed fresh and cold, straight from the can or poured into a tulip glass to amplify its hop aromatics. Given its juicy profile and moderate 6.5% ABV, it drinks easily on its own without needing food as ballast. For beer cocktail enthusiasts: try a Michelada riff using Riwakamania in place of a standard lager — its tropical character pairs surprisingly well with lime and hot sauce; a Hop Shandy with fresh-squeezed grapefruit juice to lean into the citrus notes; or a Beermosa with mango nectar instead of orange juice, doubling down on the beer's dominant fruit tone.

Best For

• Bringing to a summer cookout or backyard gathering where hop-forward beer will shine
• Gifting to a craft beer enthusiast who follows limited-release hazy IPAs
• Pairing with a taco night spread — the tropical fruit and dry finish cut through rich, spiced meats
• Stocking a fridge for a weekend when freshness matters most — drink within weeks of purchase

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Riwakamania taste like? Riwakamania delivers juicy mango and sweet orange up front with secondary notes of passion fruit, peach, and grapefruit, finishing bone dry with no lingering bitterness. The overall impression is fresh, clean, and tropical without being cloying.

How does Riwakamania compare to other Hop Butcher hazy IPAs? While Hop Butcher releases a wide rotation of hazy IPAs with varying hop bills, Riwakamania distinguishes itself through the use of New Zealand Riwaka hops, which contribute a subtle earthiness and distinct passion fruit quality not typically found in their all-American-hop releases. At 6.5% ABV it sits at the lighter, more sessionable end of the brewery's IPA spectrum compared to their double IPA offerings.

Is Riwakamania good for craft beer beginners? Yes — its low bitterness, approachable 6.5% ABV, and fruit-forward flavor profile make it an excellent entry point for drinkers new to hazy IPAs or hop-forward beer in general.

Where is Riwakamania made? Riwakamania is brewed by Hop Butcher for the World at their facility located at 4257 N Lincoln Ave in Chicago, Illinois. The brewery focuses on small-batch, hop-centric ales distributed primarily across the Chicago metropolitan area.

What foods pair well with Riwakamania? Fish tacos with mango salsa complement the beer's tropical notes naturally. Grilled chicken with a citrus glaze echoes the grapefruit and orange character. Thai green curry works well, as the beer's dry finish and juicy body counterbalance coconut milk and lemongrass. Sharp white cheddar provides a savory contrast to the fruit-forward hops. Ceviche with lime and cilantro mirrors the beer's bright acidity.

What sizes does Riwakamania come in? Riwakamania is sold in 4-packs of 16oz (pint) cans, which is the standard packaging format for Hop Butcher's IPA releases.

Is Riwakamania worth the price? Riwakamania positions in the premium craft IPA tier, consistent with small-batch, limited-rotation hazy IPAs from highly regarded regional breweries. The use of specialty New Zealand hops and the brewery's commitment to ultra-fresh distribution justify the pricing within the category.

Why Riwakamania?

What sets Riwakamania apart from the crowded field of hazy IPAs is the starring role of Riwaka hops — a New Zealand variety that remains far less common in American craft brewing than the ubiquitous Citra, Mosaic, or Galaxy. That rarity translates into a flavor profile with genuine character: the earthy, passion fruit-inflected quality of Riwaka adds a dimension that most domestic hazy IPAs simply cannot replicate. Combined with Hop Butcher's insistence on getting cans into distribution within hours or days of packaging, Riwakamania consistently arrives with its hop aromatics intact — a critical advantage in a style where freshness is everything. For drinkers seeking a hazy IPA that goes beyond the standard tropical juice formula, this is one of Chicago's strongest arguments.