Hop Butcher Welcome to Zumo 4Pk

Hop Butcher Welcome to Zumo 4Pk is a hazy New England-style IPA brewed in Chicago at 7.5% ABV, sold as a 4-pack of 16oz cans. What distinguishes this release is its use of Zumo hops — a relatively new variety first introduced in 2023 and already prized among top craft breweries for its intense, multi-layered citrus character.

Quick Facts: ABV: 7.5%  |  Origin: Chicago, Illinois  |  Style: New England / Hazy IPA  |  Brewery: Hop Butcher For The World

Production & Heritage

Hop Butcher For The World is a Chicago-based microbrewery that has built a devoted following through a rotating lineup of hop-forward releases. Welcome to Zumo spotlights two hop varieties — Citra, a modern classic known for tropical and citrus punch, paired with Zumo, a rare newcomer already adopted by respected breweries like Other Half, Stone, and Russian River. The combination delivers a citrus-saturated profile anchored in the soft, pillowy body that defines the New England IPA style.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Fresh-squeezed orange juice hits immediately, followed by waves of pink grapefruit rind and a faint undercurrent of tropical fruit. The Zumo hops contribute a brightness that lifts the aromatics beyond typical hazy IPA territory.

Taste: The entry is pure citrus juice — ripe orange and tangerine flooding the palate. At mid-palate, grapefruit pith adds a gentle bitterness that balances the sweetness, while the Citra hops contribute subtle tropical notes. The peak is a surge of zesty lime that sharpens the entire citrus spectrum into focus.

Finish: Medium in length with a soft, pillowy texture that lingers without heavy bitterness. Residual lime zest and orange peel fade cleanly, leaving the palate refreshed and ready for the next sip.

How to Drink Welcome to Zumo

Serve cold — around 40–45°F — in a tulip glass or standard pint to let the aromatic citrus expression open up fully. This beer drinks best fresh, so don't cellar it. A Michelada build works surprisingly well here, as the citrus-forward profile pairs naturally with lime juice and hot sauce. A Beer-mosa (beer plus fresh orange juice) becomes almost redundant given the juice-like character, but the combination amplifies the brunch appeal. For a simple summer serve, a Shandy made with Welcome to Zumo and fresh lemonade leans into the beer's citrus DNA without masking it.

Best For

• Sharing with fellow hazy IPA enthusiasts who chase new hop varieties
• Summer cookouts where bold, juicy flavor cuts through grilled food
• Introducing someone to the New England IPA style with a standout example
• Adding to a curated craft beer tasting flight focused on citrus-driven IPAs

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Welcome to Zumo taste like? Welcome to Zumo tastes like fresh-squeezed citrus juice in beer form — dominant orange and grapefruit flavors give way to zesty lime, all carried in a soft, hazy body with restrained bitterness.

How does Welcome to Zumo compare to other Hop Butcher hazy IPAs? While Hop Butcher's rotating lineup consistently delivers hop-forward hazy IPAs, Welcome to Zumo stands apart through the Zumo hop variety, which pushes the citrus intensity further than their Citra- or Mosaic-only releases. The result is a more singular, citrus-focused profile rather than a broader tropical spectrum.

Is Welcome to Zumo good for hazy IPA beginners? Yes — its juicy, approachable body and low bitterness make it an excellent entry point into the New England IPA style, though at 7.5% ABV it carries more strength than it reveals on the palate.

Where is Welcome to Zumo made? Welcome to Zumo is brewed by Hop Butcher For The World, a microbrewery based in Chicago, Illinois. The brewery operates within the city and distributes primarily in the greater Chicagoland area.

What foods pair well with Welcome to Zumo? Fish tacos with citrus slaw mirror the beer's lime and orange notes. Spicy Thai green curry benefits from the soft body and citrus cut. Grilled shrimp with a citrus glaze creates a seamless flavor bridge. Soft, creamy cheeses like burrata complement the pillowy texture. Ceviche is a natural match, echoing the fresh-squeezed juice character.

What sizes does Welcome to Zumo come in? Welcome to Zumo is available as a 4-pack of 16oz cans, which is the standard format for Hop Butcher's rotating IPA releases.

Is Welcome to Zumo worth the price? Welcome to Zumo positions in the premium craft IPA tier, which is consistent with limited-run, small-batch hazy IPAs from respected microbreweries. The use of the rare Zumo hop variety and Hop Butcher's strong reputation in the hazy IPA space support its positioning within that range.

Why Welcome to Zumo?

The defining feature here is the Zumo hop — a variety so new that most craft drinkers haven't encountered it yet, but already earning credibility at breweries like Other Half, Stone, and Russian River. Paired with the proven reliability of Citra, it creates a citrus expression that feels sharper and more layered than the typical hazy IPA. Hop Butcher's track record of well-executed rotating releases means the brewing technique matches the ingredient quality. For anyone tracking the cutting edge of hop development in American craft beer, Welcome to Zumo is a timely and rewarding pour.