Illuminated Astronaut Eyescream 4Pk

Illuminated Astronaut Eyescream 4Pk is a double dry hopped double IPA brewed with lactose at 8% ABV, sold as a four-pack of cans. Voted Best Modern Haze at the Chicago Beer Society's 2022 Hazy Days Event, this milkshake-style DIPA from Illuminated Brew Works holds a 92 score on BeerAdvocate across 43 ratings.

Quick Facts: ABV: 8%  |  Origin: Chicago, Illinois  |  Style: Double Dry Hopped Double IPA with Lactose  |  Brewery: Illuminated Brew Works

Production & Heritage

Illuminated Brew Works operates out of Chicago's northwest side at 6186 N Northwest Hwy, producing a range of hop-forward and experimental ales. Astronaut Eyescream is built on a grain bill of 2-row malt and flaked oats, then double dry hopped with Galaxy, Mosaic, and Pacifica hops. What distinguishes it from the brewery's Astronaut Juice — which shares the identical grist and hop bill — is the addition of lactose sugar, pushing the beer into milkshake DIPA territory with a dessert-like creaminess that rounds out the aggressive hopping.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Nectarous peach and ripe mango lead immediately, followed by grapefruit pith and a faint tropical sweetness. The oat-heavy base contributes a soft, bready undercurrent beneath the fruit-forward hop aromatics.

Taste: The entry is juicy and bursting with tangerine and passion fruit, landing squarely on the citrus-tropical spectrum that Galaxy and Mosaic hops are known for. At mid-palate, coconut-like notes emerge alongside a gentle lactose sweetness that softens the hop bitterness without masking it. The overall impression is bright, layered, and surprisingly balanced for a beer at 8% ABV.

Finish: A dry finish arrives cleanly, providing welcome contrast to the velvety, full-bodied mouthfeel. Mild carbonation and residual lactose keep things smooth through the final sip, with lingering citrus zest and a whisper of tropical fruit.

How to Drink Astronaut Eyescream

Pour into a tulip glass or stemless wine glass at 40–45°F to let the aromatic hop oils fully express themselves; drinking straight from the can mutes the complex nose. The lactose body and tropical hop character also make Astronaut Eyescream a surprisingly effective beer cocktail ingredient: try a Beermosa with fresh-squeezed orange juice to amplify the citrus notes, a Beer Margarita (Beergarita) where the lactose rounds out the lime and salt, or a Shandy with homemade ginger lemonade to play off the peach and mango aromatics.

Best For

• Hazy IPA enthusiasts exploring milkshake-style DIPAs
• Summer cookouts where bold, juicy beers pair with grilled food
• Sharing with friends who enjoy fruit-forward craft beer but find traditional IPAs too bitter
• Building a Chicago craft beer tasting flight alongside Astronaut Juice for a direct comparison

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Astronaut Eyescream taste like? Astronaut Eyescream delivers juicy tangerine, passion fruit, and mango flavors supported by a creamy lactose sweetness and soft oat body. The finish is dry and clean, balancing the dessert-like mouthfeel with enough hop character to keep it from tipping into cloying territory.

How does Astronaut Eyescream compare to Astronaut Juice? Both beers share the same 2-row and flaked oat grain bill plus the same Galaxy, Mosaic, and Pacifica hop combination, but Astronaut Eyescream adds lactose sugar to the recipe. That lactose creates a noticeably creamier body and rounder sweetness, making Eyescream the more dessert-forward of the two.

Is Astronaut Eyescream good for beginners? Its smooth, creamy mouthfeel and mild carbonation make it very approachable, even for drinkers new to double IPAs. The lactose tempers hop bitterness significantly, though the 8% ABV means it should be sipped with some awareness.

Where is Astronaut Eyescream made? Astronaut Eyescream is brewed by Illuminated Brew Works in Chicago, Illinois, at their facility on 6186 N Northwest Hwy on the city's northwest side.

What foods pair well with Astronaut Eyescream? Spicy Thai basil chicken works well, as the lactose creaminess cools the heat. Grilled shrimp tacos with mango salsa echo the tropical hop character. A charcuterie board with aged cheddar provides a savory counterpoint to the fruit-forward sweetness. Coconut shrimp reinforces the coconut undertones in the hop profile. Peach cobbler or key lime pie for dessert pairs naturally with the beer's stone fruit and citrus notes.

What sizes does Astronaut Eyescream come in? Astronaut Eyescream is available in a standard four-pack of cans.

Is Astronaut Eyescream worth the price? Astronaut Eyescream positions as a premium craft DIPA within the Chicago hazy scene, and its BeerAdvocate score of 92 and Best Modern Haze recognition at the 2022 Hazy Days Event suggest strong value relative to comparable milkshake-style double IPAs in the market.

Why Astronaut Eyescream?

The lactose addition is the defining move here — it transforms an already well-regarded hop bill into something distinctly different from the crowded hazy DIPA field. Earning Best Modern Haze at the Chicago Beer Society's 2022 Hazy Days Event validated what local drinkers already knew, and a 92 on BeerAdvocate with a 4.1 on Untappd across more than 7,200 ratings reflects consistent quality rather than fleeting hype. The shared DNA with Astronaut Juice gives drinkers a clear reference point, while the lactose pushes Eyescream into its own lane — creamier, softer, and built to satisfy anyone looking for tropical intensity without punishing bitterness.