Hopewell Desert Palm 4Pk

Hopewell Desert Palm 4Pk is a West Coast-style IPA from Chicago's Hopewell Brewing Co., sold in a four-pack at 7.1% ABV. Inspired by the sun-drenched hop-forward IPAs of Southern California, this beer leans into punchy American hops that deliver bold citrus and resinous pine without masking a clean, dry backbone.

Quick Facts: ABV: 7.1%  |  Origin: Chicago, Illinois  |  Style: West Coast IPA  |  Brewery: Hopewell Brewing Co.

Production & Heritage

Hopewell Brewing Co. operates out of a brewery and taproom on Milwaukee Avenue in Chicago's Logan Square neighborhood. The team brews and packages every batch on site, maintaining a small-batch approach that prioritizes bright, balanced beers. Desert Palm is built on a blend of assertive American hop varieties, producing a firmly bitter IPA with a bone-dry finish — a deliberate nod to classic West Coast brewing philosophy rather than the haze-forward trend that dominates much of today's IPA market.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Ripe grapefruit and pineapple hit first, followed by a sharp burst of citrus rind and sticky pine resin. There's very little malt sweetness on the nose — the hops dominate from the first sniff.

Taste: The entry is bright with juicy pineapple and grapefruit, moving quickly into a resinous, piney mid-palate. Bitterness builds steadily and takes center stage, underscored by a lean malt body that lets the hops shine without any cloying sweetness.

Finish: Dry and decisively bitter, true to the desert in its name. Lingering pine and citrus rind keep the palate clean and encourage the next sip.

How to Drink Desert Palm

Pour it cold into a pint glass or tulip to open up the hop aromatics; this IPA rewards a proper pour rather than drinking straight from the can. Its firm bitterness and dry profile also make it surprisingly versatile in beer cocktails: try a Michelada with hot sauce and lime for a savory contrast to the hops; a Hop Shandy blended with fresh lemonade to tame the bitterness on a hot day; or a Boilermaker alongside a pour of bourbon, where the citrus and pine in the beer complement caramel and oak in the whiskey.

Best For

• Backyard grilling sessions where bold hop flavor can stand up to charred and smoky food
• Introducing friends to the West Coast IPA style with a well-executed Chicago-made example
• Pairing with spicy tacos or buffalo wings where bitterness acts as a palate cleanser
• Stocking a craft-beer fridge with a rotating selection of regional small-batch IPAs

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Desert Palm taste like? Desert Palm delivers prominent grapefruit, pineapple, and pine flavors with a notably bitter, dry finish characteristic of West Coast IPAs. It is hop-forward with minimal malt sweetness.

How does Desert Palm compare to Stone IPA? Both are West Coast IPAs built on citrus and pine hop character with a dry, bitter finish. Desert Palm comes from a smaller Chicago-based operation and tends toward a slightly lighter body, while Stone IPA — brewed at a much larger scale in Southern California — carries a bit more malt backbone and broader distribution.

Is Desert Palm good for IPA beginners? At 7.1% ABV with assertive bitterness and a very dry finish, Desert Palm sits squarely in experienced IPA territory. Newcomers to craft beer may want to start with a less aggressively bitter pale ale before graduating to this style.

Where is Desert Palm made? Desert Palm is brewed and packaged entirely at Hopewell Brewing Co.'s facility on Milwaukee Avenue in the Logan Square neighborhood of Chicago, Illinois.

What foods pair well with Desert Palm? Carne asada tacos work well because the citrus hops mirror a squeeze of lime while cutting through richness. Sharp cheddar cheese contrasts the bitterness with creamy fat. Fish and chips benefit from the beer's dry finish as a palate refresher. Spicy Thai curry finds balance against the grapefruit and pine notes. Grilled pineapple echoes the tropical hop character for a complementary dessert pairing.

What sizes does Desert Palm come in? Desert Palm is sold as a four-pack of cans, which is the standard retail format from Hopewell Brewing Co.

Is Desert Palm worth the price? Desert Palm positions as a small-batch craft IPA from an independent Chicago brewery, placing it in the premium craft tier. For drinkers who value locally brewed, West Coast-style IPAs made on a neighborhood scale, it represents a solid value within that segment.

Why Desert Palm?

West Coast IPAs have made a significant comeback after years of haze dominance, and Desert Palm stands as a credible entry from a brewery known for restraint and balance. Hopewell's decision to brew and package everything in-house at their Logan Square facility gives them direct control over freshness — a critical factor for hop-driven beers where aromatics fade quickly. The 7.1% ABV hits a sweet spot: strong enough to carry big hop flavor, moderate enough to enjoy more than one. For anyone who believes an IPA should finish dry and bitter rather than sweet and murky, this is a four-pack worth seeking out.