Hop Butcher The Way In Total Darkness 4Pk

Hop Butcher The Way In Total Darkness 4Pk is a dark, limited-release beer from Chicago's Hop Butcher for The World brewery, sold as a 4-pack of cans. As a companion to the brewery's "The Way In Total Daylight" Double IPA, this expression pivots toward the darker end of the spectrum while maintaining the hop intensity Hop Butcher is known for.

Quick Facts: ABV: Refer to can label  |  Origin: Chicago, Illinois  |  Style: Dark Ale  |  Brewery: Hop Butcher for The World

Production & Heritage

Hop Butcher for The World was founded in 2014 in Chicago, Illinois, and operates a production brewery in Bedford Park alongside a taproom at 4257 N. Lincoln Ave. in the North Center neighborhood. The brewery built its reputation on aggressively hop-forward IPAs distributed on a fresh-to-retail model, meaning cans reach shelves quickly after packaging. The Way In Total Darkness reflects the brewery's practice of issuing rotating and limited releases that explore styles beyond their core IPA lineup, applying the same obsessive attention to hop selection and freshness to darker beer styles.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The name signals a dark, roasted malt foundation. Expect aromas aligned with dark grain character — roasted barley, chocolate, and coffee-like notes — layered with the aromatic hop presence that defines Hop Butcher's house style.

Taste: The palate likely balances roasted malt bitterness with hop-derived flavors, a hallmark of the brewery's approach to darker styles. Mid-palate weight should carry a blend of dark grain sweetness and resinous or citrus hop character. The interplay between malt depth and hop intensity is where this beer carves out its identity.

Finish: A lingering roast character with residual hop bitterness is expected. The finish should be dry enough to encourage another sip without leaving an overly heavy or cloying impression.

Note: As a limited-release product, exact tasting profiles may vary by batch. The descriptions above reflect general expectations based on style and the brewery's known approach.

How to Drink The Way In Total Darkness

Pour into a tulip glass or snifter at around 45–50°F to allow the aromatic complexity of both roasted malts and hops to open up. This is a beer best enjoyed on its own to appreciate the interplay between dark malt and hop character, though it pairs well with hearty food. A classic beer and burger pairing works well given the roast depth. It also complements smoked brisket, where the malt sweetness offsets smoky fat, and stands up alongside rich chocolate desserts for an after-dinner pour.

Best For

• Sharing among craft beer enthusiasts exploring Chicago's best breweries
• Pairing with a backyard barbecue featuring smoked or grilled meats
• Adding variety to a curated tasting flight of dark ales and stouts
• Gifting to a hop-obsessed friend who wants to see a favorite brewery's darker side

Frequently Asked Questions

What does The Way In Total Darkness taste like? This dark ale from Hop Butcher for The World combines roasted malt character — think coffee and dark chocolate — with the brewery's signature hop-forward intensity. The balance between dark grain depth and hop bitterness is central to its flavor profile.

How does The Way In Total Darkness compare to The Way In Total Daylight? The Way In Total Daylight is a 7.5% ABV Double IPA focused on bright, hop-driven citrus and tropical fruit flavors, while The Way In Total Darkness shifts the emphasis to dark roasted malts and deeper, heavier flavors. They represent two contrasting expressions within the same naming series from Hop Butcher.

Is The Way In Total Darkness good for sipping? Yes — dark ales reward slow, deliberate drinking that lets layered roast and hop flavors develop as the beer warms slightly in the glass. Pouring into proper glassware rather than drinking from the can enhances the experience significantly.

Where is The Way In Total Darkness made? It is brewed by Hop Butcher for The World in Chicago, Illinois. The brewery operates a production facility in Bedford Park and a second brewery with taproom on Lincoln Avenue in the North Center neighborhood.

What foods pair well with The Way In Total Darkness? Smoked brisket or pulled pork, where the roast malt complements smoky char; sharp aged cheddar, which contrasts with malt sweetness; dark chocolate brownies, which echo the beer's roasted grain character; grilled portobello mushrooms, whose earthiness mirrors the dark malt profile; and oysters, a classic pairing with dark ales due to the mineral-brine contrast.

What sizes does The Way In Total Darkness come in? This release is available as a 4-pack of cans, which is the standard format for Hop Butcher for The World's rotating and limited releases.

Is The Way In Total Darkness worth the price? Hop Butcher's limited releases position in the premium craft tier, reflecting small-batch production, high-quality hop sourcing, and the brewery's fresh-to-retail distribution model. For fans of the brewery or collectors of rotating releases, it represents strong value within that segment.

Why The Way In Total Darkness?

Hop Butcher for The World earned its place among Chicago's most respected craft breweries by relentlessly prioritizing hop freshness and rotating its lineup to keep drinkers engaged. The Way In Total Darkness is a deliberate departure from the bright, juicy IPAs the brewery is best known for, applying that same exacting approach to a darker, malt-driven canvas. As a limited release, availability is not guaranteed on an ongoing basis, making each batch worth trying when it appears. For anyone who appreciates what Hop Butcher does with hops, tasting how they handle the darker side of the beer spectrum adds a compelling dimension.