Hop Butcher Snorkel Squad 4Pk

Hop Butcher Snorkel Squad 4Pk is a 6.5% ABV hazy India Pale Ale brewed exclusively with Citra and Citra Cryo hops, sold in a 4-pack of 16oz cans. Produced by Hop Butcher for The World — the 2021 NY International Beer Competition Illinois Brewery of the Year — Snorkel Squad showcases a single-hop approach that amplifies everything Citra does best: explosive tropical fruit character built on a soft, juicy base.

Quick Facts: ABV: 6.5%  |  Origin: Illinois, USA  |  Style: Hazy IPA  |  Brewery: Hop Butcher for The World  |  Hops: Citra & Citra Cryo

Production & Heritage

Hop Butcher for The World operates out of Illinois and has earned a strong reputation among fellow brewers nationwide for their intentional approach to selecting and blending different hops. The brewery pushes the boundaries of hop utilization, exploring multiple touchpoints throughout the brewing process to extract maximum flavor and aroma. Snorkel Squad distinguishes itself within their rotating lineup by pairing standard Citra hops with Citra Cryo — a concentrated lupulin powder form of Citra that delivers intensified tropical aromatics while minimizing vegetal bitterness. This dual-format hop strategy produces a clean, fruit-forward IPA with remarkable clarity of flavor despite its hazy appearance.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Bright orange pulp leads immediately, followed by ripe mango and pink grapefruit rind. A soft, bready malt sweetness sits beneath the tropical hop aromatics without competing for attention.

Taste: The entry is juicy and immediate — orange juice and mango dominate the front palate. At mid-palate, candied lime and red grapefruit develop, layered over a light cereal grain backbone that gives the beer just enough structure to keep the fruit flavors grounded. Lemon citrus emerges as the hop oils open up.

Finish: Medium in length with a lingering piney hop bite that balances the fruit sweetness. A gentle, resinous bitterness cleans the palate and invites the next sip without any cloying residue.

How to Drink Snorkel Squad

Pour cold into a tulip glass or wide-mouth pint to release the hop aromatics fully; drinking straight from the can mutes the aromatic complexity that defines this beer. Snorkel Squad works well in a Beer-garita (replacing standard lager with this IPA alongside lime juice and salt for a hop-forward twist), a Michelada (where the grapefruit and citrus notes amplify the tomato-chili base), or a Radler (mixed with fresh lemonade to lean into the beer's natural lemon and orange character).

Best For

• Sharing with fellow hop enthusiasts exploring single-hop IPA expressions
• Summer cookouts and backyard sessions where a 6.5% ABV keeps things approachable
• Gifting to a craft beer collector who follows Hop Butcher's rotating releases
• Blind tasting nights comparing Citra-driven IPAs across different breweries

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Snorkel Squad taste like? Snorkel Squad delivers a juicy, fruit-forward flavor dominated by orange, mango, and grapefruit, with a light bready malt body and a clean piney hop finish that balances the tropical sweetness.

How does Snorkel Squad compare to Old Nation Boss Tweed? Both are well-regarded hazy IPAs, but Snorkel Squad takes a focused single-hop approach using exclusively Citra and Citra Cryo, resulting in a more streamlined citrus-tropical profile. Boss Tweed runs at a higher ABV and tends toward a fuller, more complex hop blend, making it a heavier pour by comparison.

Is Snorkel Squad good for beginners? At 6.5% ABV with a soft, juicy body and restrained bitterness, Snorkel Squad is an excellent entry point for anyone curious about hazy IPAs — the fruit-forward character is approachable without sacrificing hop intensity.

Where is Snorkel Squad made? Snorkel Squad is brewed by Hop Butcher for The World in Illinois, USA. The brewery has built a national following for its rotating lineup of hop-centric beers and was named Illinois Brewery of the Year at the 2021 NY International Beer Competition.

What foods pair well with Snorkel Squad? Grilled fish tacos with mango salsa complement the beer's tropical hop character. Spicy Thai green curry finds a cooling contrast in the citrus and malt sweetness. Sharp cheddar and aged gouda stand up to the hop intensity. Citrus-dressed arugula salads echo the grapefruit and lemon notes. Smoked chicken wings with a citrus glaze create a natural bridge between char and fruit.

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

Is Snorkel Squad worth the price? Snorkel Squad positions in the premium craft IPA tier, consistent with small-batch, rotating-release hazy IPAs from nationally respected breweries. The use of both standard and Cryo hop formats and Hop Butcher's reputation for quality hop selection justify its place in that range.

Why Snorkel Squad?

What separates Snorkel Squad from the crowded hazy IPA field is its disciplined single-hop concept. By pairing conventional Citra pellets with Citra Cryo lupulin powder, Hop Butcher extracts the full spectrum of what one hop variety can deliver — from juicy orange and mango to resinous pine — without the muddled complexity that multi-hop blends sometimes produce. The brewery's status as a peer-respected hop authority, reinforced by their 2021 Illinois Brewery of the Year recognition, lends credibility that extends beyond marketing. With an Untappd rating of 4.2 across more than 8,100 ratings, Snorkel Squad has been validated by a broad cross-section of craft drinkers as a standout Citra showcase.