Hop Butcher The Last of Summer 4Pk

Hop Butcher The Last of Summer 4Pk is a hazy double IPA from Hop Butcher For The World, brewed with Motueka and Mosaic hops at 8.0% ABV in a 4-pack of 16oz cans. This limited-rotation release carries a strong 4.2 out of 5 rating on Untappd across nearly 800 reviews, reflecting the brewery's reputation for consistently exceptional hazy IPAs.

Quick Facts: ABV: 8.0%  |  Origin: Bedford Park, Illinois  |  Style: Double / Imperial Hazy IPA  |  Brewery: Hop Butcher For The World

Production & Heritage

Hop Butcher For The World operates out of Bedford Park, Illinois, just outside Chicago, and has built a cult following through a philosophy of constant innovation — the brewery has produced over 250 different beers without maintaining a single year-round release. The Last of Summer is part of that rotating lineup, featuring a dual-hop bill of New Zealand Motueka and American Mosaic. Hop Butcher self-distributes its beer, often delivering cans that are only hours or days old, ensuring the hop-forward aromatics arrive as fresh as possible.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The Motueka and Mosaic combination delivers an immediate wave of tropical fruit and bright citrus. Expect ripe stone fruit layered beneath lime zest and a subtle floral quality from the Motueka hops.

Taste: The entry is soft and juicy, characteristic of the New England double IPA style, with pronounced orange and honey sweetness emerging on the mid-palate. Mosaic contributes notes of mango and berry, while Motueka adds a crisp lime brightness that prevents the 8% ABV body from feeling heavy. The mouthfeel is pillowy and full without excessive sweetness.

Finish: A moderate-length finish carries lingering tropical fruit and a gentle, resinous hop bitterness. The aftertaste remains clean rather than astringent, with a final whisper of citrus pith.

How to Drink The Last of Summer

Pour into a tulip glass or stemless wine glass at around 45°F to fully open up the hop aromatics; drinking directly from the can mutes the complex nose. At 8% ABV, this is a sipper rather than a session beer — take your time with it. While hazy DIPAs are best enjoyed on their own, this works well as a float in a Beer Margarita where the tropical hops amplify the citrus base, a Michelada where the juicy body rounds out the savory-spicy framework, or a Shandy blended with fresh lemonade to create a more sessionable warm-weather drink.

Best For

• Gifting a hazy IPA collector who prizes limited-rotation releases
• End-of-summer cookouts where a bold, tropical beer sets the tone
• Sharing among craft beer enthusiasts exploring Chicago-area breweries
• Adding to a curated beer tasting lineup alongside other hop-forward DIPAs

Frequently Asked Questions

What does The Last of Summer taste like? The Last of Summer delivers a juicy, tropical flavor profile dominated by orange, mango, honey, and lime, with a soft, pillowy mouthfeel typical of hazy double IPAs. Bitterness is restrained and balanced by the full body and fruity hop character.

How does The Last of Summer compare to other Hop Butcher releases? Like all Hop Butcher beers, The Last of Summer is a limited-rotation release — the brewery produces over 250 different beers and does not maintain a permanent lineup. This expression distinguishes itself through its specific Motueka and Mosaic hop combination, which leans more tropical-citrus than some of the brewery's more stone-fruit or dank-leaning double IPAs.

Is The Last of Summer good for sipping neat? Yes — at 8.0% ABV with a complex, layered hop profile, this hazy DIPA is best enjoyed on its own from a proper glass, poured cold and allowed to warm slightly as you drink to reveal additional aromatics.

Where is The Last of Summer made? The Last of Summer is brewed by Hop Butcher For The World in Bedford Park, Illinois, a suburb directly southwest of Chicago. The brewery self-distributes throughout its market area to ensure maximum freshness.

What foods pair well with The Last of Summer? Grilled fish tacos with mango salsa match the beer's tropical character; spicy Thai green curry is tempered by the soft, full body; a charcuterie board with aged cheddar contrasts the hop-forward juiciness; fresh ceviche mirrors the citrus brightness; and barbecue pulled pork finds balance against the beer's subtle sweetness.

What sizes does The Last of Summer come in? The Last of Summer is available in a 4-pack of 16oz cans, consistent with Hop Butcher For The World's standard release format.

Is The Last of Summer worth the price? The Last of Summer positions in the premium craft DIPA tier, where pricing reflects both the high hop load required for the style and the brewery's limited-production, self-distributed model. Its 4.2 Untappd rating across nearly 800 reviews suggests strong consumer satisfaction within that segment.

Why The Last of Summer?

Hop Butcher For The World has earned its status in the upper echelon of American hazy IPA producers through relentless rotation — more than 250 unique beers and counting, none of them permanent. The Last of Summer captures a specific moment in that creative output: a Motueka and Mosaic hop bill that leans heavily into tropical citrus while the 8% ABV double IPA base provides enough weight to carry those flavors without tipping into excess. The brewery's self-distribution model means this beer often reaches shelves within days of canning, a critical advantage for a hop-forward style where freshness directly determines quality. For drinkers who value both craftsmanship and scarcity, this is a release that justifies the hunt.