Hop Butcher Shredded Cheese 4Pk

Hop Butcher Shredded Cheese 4Pk is a Double India Pale Ale from Chicago's Hop Butcher for The World, packaged as a 4-pack of 16 oz cans at 8.25% ABV. Built on a four-hop blend of Citra, Simcoe, Maui Nelson, and the experimental HBC-586, this release carries an 85-point rating on BeerAdvocate and features label artwork by Chicago artist Dan Grzeca as part of a collaboration with A Shred Beer Company.

Quick Facts: ABV: 8.25%  |  Origin: Chicago, Illinois  |  Style: Double IPA  |  Brewery: Hop Butcher for The World

Production & Heritage

Hop Butcher for The World operates out of its facility at 4257 N. Lincoln Avenue in Chicago's Lincoln Square neighborhood. The brewery has built a devoted following through an aggressive rotation of hop-forward releases, specializing in hazy IPAs and Double IPAs that emphasize soft mouthfeel and saturated hop character. Shredded Cheese draws on Citra and Simcoe as its structural backbone — two of the most sought-after American hops — while Maui Nelson contributes a white wine and gooseberry dimension and the less common HBC-586 adds experimental complexity to the blend.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Bright citrus peel and ripe tropical fruit lead immediately, followed by a layer of resinous pine from the Simcoe and a subtle white grape note likely contributed by the Maui Nelson. The overall impression is intensely fruity and inviting.

Taste: The entry is juicy and clean, with prominent orange and grapefruit citrus pushing through the mid-palate. A soft, pillowy body carries the hops without excessive bitterness, and the interplay between the four varieties creates a layered tropical-citrus character that deepens as the beer warms slightly.

Finish: Medium in length with a crisp, dry close that keeps the substantial 8.25% ABV well-hidden. A gentle resinous bitterness lingers alongside fading notes of citrus zest.

How to Drink Shredded Cheese

Pour into a tulip glass or wide-mouth pint glass at around 40–45°F to let the aromatic hop oils fully express themselves. This beer is best enjoyed fresh and on its own — the hop profile does the heavy lifting. That said, it holds up in a Michelada if you want a spicy, savory contrast to the citrus-forward hops, works surprisingly well in a Beer-a-Rita blended with fresh lime juice and salt for a brunch-ready serve, and can anchor a Hop Butcher Shandy mixed with house-made lemonade for a lighter warm-weather drink.

Best For

• Sharing with friends during a backyard cookout or tailgate
• Adding variety to a craft beer tasting flight focused on hazy Double IPAs
• Gifting to a hop-obsessed beer enthusiast who tracks limited releases
• Pairing with bold, spicy food that can stand up to the hop intensity

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Shredded Cheese taste like? Shredded Cheese delivers a juicy, citrus-driven Double IPA experience with prominent orange and tropical fruit flavors supported by a soft, pillowy body and a clean, crisp finish.

How does Shredded Cheese compare to other Hop Butcher Double IPAs? Like most Hop Butcher releases, Shredded Cheese prioritizes soft texture and saturated hop flavor, but the inclusion of Maui Nelson and the experimental HBC-586 gives it a distinct white grape and tropical layer not found in their more Citra-and-Mosaic-driven offerings.

Is Shredded Cheese good for sipping on its own? Absolutely — at 8.25% ABV with a smooth, haze-forward body and minimal harsh bitterness, it drinks cleanly on its own and is best enjoyed fresh from a proper glass.

Where is Shredded Cheese made? Shredded Cheese is brewed by Hop Butcher for The World at their brewery located at 4257 N. Lincoln Avenue in the Lincoln Square neighborhood of Chicago, Illinois.

What foods pair well with Shredded Cheese? The citrus-forward hop profile pairs naturally with spicy chicken tacos (the citrus cuts through the heat), grilled shrimp with mango salsa (complementary tropical notes), sharp cheddar or pepper jack cheese (rich fat balances the hop bitterness), Thai green curry (the juicy body tames the spice), and wood-fired pizza with fresh basil (herbal and citrus harmony).

What sizes does Shredded Cheese come in? Hop Butcher Shredded Cheese is available as a 4-pack of 16 oz cans, which is the standard packaging format for Hop Butcher for The World's rotating releases.

Is Shredded Cheese worth the price? Shredded Cheese positions as a premium craft Double IPA from one of Chicago's most in-demand breweries, and its four-hop blend including the less common Maui Nelson and HBC-586 reflects the ingredient investment typical of Hop Butcher's limited-rotation releases.

Why Shredded Cheese?

Hop Butcher for The World has earned its reputation by releasing a relentless stream of hop-saturated beers that sell through quickly — and Shredded Cheese is a strong example of why. The four-hop combination is deliberate: Citra and Simcoe provide the citrus-pine foundation that DIPA drinkers expect, while Maui Nelson and the experimental HBC-586 push the profile into less predictable territory with white grape and tropical complexity. The collaboration with A Shred Beer Company, complete with Dan Grzeca's distinctive label art, gives the release a collectible edge. At 8.25% ABV with an 85-point BeerAdvocate rating, this is a well-constructed Double IPA that rewards fresh consumption and stands out even within Hop Butcher's crowded release calendar.