Hubbard's Cave Milk of the Murder Blueberry 4Pk

Hubbard's Cave Milk of the Murder Blueberry 4Pk is an 8.5% ABV imperial milkshake IPA brewed with blueberry, vanilla beans, lactose, and Mosaic hops, sold in a 4-pack. Notably recognized as the first milkshake IPA released by the Hubbard's Cave label, this expression holds a 3.9 out of 5 rating on Untappd across more than 1,700 reviews.

Quick Facts: ABV: 8.5%  |  Origin: Niles, Illinois, USA  |  Style: Imperial Milkshake IPA  |  Brewery: Hubbard's Cave (Une Année)

Production & Heritage

Hubbard's Cave operates as a subsidiary label of Une Année, based in Niles, Illinois. The brewery's name traces back to the Hubbard Street traffic tunnel on Interstate 90/94 in Chicago, near the location where the brand was originally born. Milk of the Murder Blueberry is built on a base of Mosaic hops and incorporates lactose sugar for body, real blueberry for fruit character, and vanilla beans for aromatic depth — a combination that positions it squarely in the milkshake IPA sub-style. This particular release holds significance as Hubbard's Cave's inaugural milkshake IPA, marking the hazy IPA specialists' first venture into the lactose-laden category.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Ripe blueberry leads the nose immediately, followed by a wave of vanilla sweetness and soft floral notes contributed by the Mosaic hops. Beneath the fruit, a mild citrus undercurrent keeps the aromatics from veering too sweet.

Taste: The entry is plush and creamy, with lactose lending a silky, full mouthfeel that carries the blueberry flavor across the palate. Mid-palate, the Mosaic hops introduce tropical and citrus bitterness that counterbalances the fruit and vanilla. At 8.5% ABV, a subtle warming quality emerges toward the peak, though the sweetness keeps the alcohol well-integrated.

Finish: Medium in length, with lingering berry sweetness and a faint vanilla undertone. A light hop resin and gentle lactose creaminess remain on the tongue.

How to Drink Milk of the Murder Blueberry

Best served cold, around 40–45°F, poured into a tulip glass or stemmed goblet to concentrate the aromatic blueberry and vanilla layers. A glass pour also reveals the beer's characteristically hazy, deep purple appearance and dense, creamy head. While milkshake IPAs are primarily designed for standalone enjoyment, the blueberry-vanilla profile can work in creative beer cocktail formats: a Blueberry Shandy with fresh lemonade and a sprig of mint; a Purple Haze Float poured over a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream; or a Berry Michelada built with lime, hot sauce, and a salted rim for a savory-sweet contrast.

Best For

• Gifting a craft beer enthusiast who gravitates toward fruit-forward IPAs
• Sharing during a backyard cookout or casual summer gathering
• Exploring the milkshake IPA sub-style from a respected Chicago-area brewery
• Pairing alongside a charcuterie and cheese board with creamy, mild selections

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Milk of the Murder Blueberry taste like? It delivers a creamy, full-bodied blueberry and vanilla flavor layered over a Mosaic hop backbone, with the lactose creating a smooth, milkshake-like texture that balances fruit sweetness with moderate hop bitterness.

How does Milk of the Murder Blueberry compare to Maplewood Mr. Shakey Strawberry? Both are Chicago-area milkshake IPAs that rely on fruit and lactose for a dessert-like quality, but Hubbard's Cave leans into blueberry and vanilla with Mosaic hops at 8.5% ABV, while Maplewood's Mr. Shakey Strawberry features a strawberry-forward profile. The higher ABV in the Hubbard's Cave expression adds noticeable warmth and body that the Maplewood typically does not carry to the same degree.

Is Milk of the Murder Blueberry good for sipping on its own? Yes — the milkshake IPA style is specifically designed for standalone drinking, and the blueberry-vanilla-lactose combination makes this a rich, self-contained sensory experience best enjoyed fresh and cold.

Where is Milk of the Murder Blueberry made? It is brewed by Hubbard's Cave, a label under the Une Année brewing operation located in Niles, Illinois, just outside Chicago.

What foods pair well with Milk of the Murder Blueberry? Soft, creamy cheeses like brie or burrata complement the lactose richness; grilled chicken with a berry glaze mirrors the fruit character; lemon tarts or vanilla custard desserts echo the vanilla bean additions; and mildly spiced Thai dishes create an appealing sweet-heat contrast.

What sizes does Milk of the Murder Blueberry come in? It is sold in a standard 4-pack of cans.

Is Milk of the Murder Blueberry worth the price? It positions as a premium craft release within the milkshake IPA category, and the 8.5% ABV, real blueberry, vanilla bean, and lactose additions justify its place above standard IPA pricing — particularly given its significance as Hubbard's Cave's first milkshake IPA offering.

Why Milk of the Murder Blueberry?

This release marked Hubbard's Cave's first entry into the milkshake IPA category, coming from a brewery already well-regarded for its hazy IPA program. The use of real blueberry, whole vanilla beans, and lactose — rather than artificial flavoring — gives the beer a layered, authentic fruit-and-cream character that sets it apart from more one-dimensional fruited IPAs. With a 3.9 out of 5 on Untappd across more than 1,700 ratings, it has built a consistent following among drinkers seeking bold, dessert-leaning IPAs with genuine complexity. For fans of the Illinois craft scene, it represents a meaningful expression from one of Chicago's most focused hazy IPA producers.