Metal Monkey Furious George 4Pk

Metal Monkey Furious George 4Pk is a 5.6% ABV American Pale Ale brewed exclusively with Amarillo hops, sold in a four-pack format. Produced by Metal Monkey Brewing in Romeoville, Illinois, this single-hop pale ale earned an 83/100 on BeerAdvocate and carries a 3.6 out of 5 rating across more than 2,100 reviews on Untappd — a solid showing for a small-batch Illinois craft beer.

Quick Facts: ABV: 5.6%  |  IBU: 32  |  Origin: Romeoville, Illinois  |  Style: American Pale Ale  |  Brewery: Metal Monkey Brewing

Production & Heritage

Metal Monkey Brewing operated out of Romeoville, a suburb southwest of Chicago in Will County, Illinois. Furious George was built around a single-hop concept: the entire hop bill relies on Amarillo, a variety prized for its intense grapefruit, orange, and stone fruit character. At 32 IBUs, the bitterness stays moderate, allowing the Amarillo aromatics and a supportive malt backbone to share the spotlight rather than pushing the beer into aggressive IPA territory. Note that the brewery closed its taproom in August 2023, making remaining inventory increasingly limited.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Ripe grapefruit and orange peel lead, followed by subtle mango and earthy pine resin. A bready, caramelized grain sweetness sits beneath the hops, grounding the nose.

Taste: The entry is bright with citrus — grapefruit dominates, supported by orange and light stone fruit. Mid-palate, a caramel malt backbone and bread-crust sweetness balance the hop-forward character. Bitterness builds gently toward the finish without becoming harsh.

Finish: Dry and moderately bitter, with pithy grapefruit and earthy pine lingering. Medium body and moderate carbonation keep it clean and refreshing on the close.

How to Drink Furious George

Pour into a shaker pint or tulip glass at around 45°F to let the Amarillo aromatics open fully. Straight from the can works well for casual drinking, though glassware rewards the nose. Shandy twist: mix half-and-half with lemonade for a citrus-amplified summer refresher. Michelada: the grapefruit character pairs naturally with lime, hot sauce, and tomato juice. Pale Ale Radler: blend with grapefruit soda to lean into the citrus profile for a low-ABV session drink.

Best For

• Backyard cookouts where a hop-forward but approachable beer fits the bill
• Introducing craft beer drinkers to single-hop pale ales
• Collecting limited remaining stock from a closed Illinois microbrewery
• Pairing with grilled foods that benefit from citrus-forward bitterness

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Furious George taste like? Furious George delivers bold grapefruit and orange citrus up front, backed by caramelized malt and bready sweetness, finishing dry with earthy pine bitterness. It drinks clean and moderately bitter at 32 IBUs.

How does Furious George compare to Sierra Nevada Pale Ale? Sierra Nevada Pale Ale uses Cascade hops and finishes with a more floral, piney character, while Furious George relies exclusively on Amarillo for a more pronounced grapefruit and tropical fruit profile. Both sit at similar ABV ranges, but Furious George reads as slightly more citrus-forward and fruit-driven.

Is Furious George good for craft beer beginners? Yes — at 5.6% ABV and a moderate 32 IBUs, it sits in an approachable range that showcases hop flavor without overwhelming bitterness, making it a solid gateway into single-hop pale ales.

Where is Furious George made? Furious George was brewed by Metal Monkey Brewing in Romeoville, Illinois, a suburb in Will County about 30 miles southwest of downtown Chicago. The brewery closed its taproom in August 2023.

What foods pair well with Furious George? Grilled chicken or fish tacos benefit from the citrus hop character cutting through richness. Spicy Thai noodle dishes find balance against the malt sweetness. Sharp cheddar or pepper jack cheese contrasts the grapefruit bitterness. Barbecue pork ribs with a tangy sauce mirror the beer's caramel backbone. A simple arugula salad with citrus vinaigrette echoes the orange and grapefruit notes.

What sizes does Furious George come in? Furious George is commonly sold in four-pack can format; individual can size is typically 16 oz, consistent with craft brewery packaging conventions.

Is Furious George worth the price? Furious George positioned as a craft-priced American Pale Ale from a small independent brewery, placing it in the mid-range value tier for Illinois craft beer. With the brewery now closed, remaining stock carries added scarcity value for collectors and fans of the brand.

Why Furious George?

The single-hop Amarillo concept gives Furious George a focused, unmistakable citrus identity that many multi-hop pale ales lack. With an 83/100 BeerAdvocate score and over 2,100 Untappd ratings, it earned consistent community approval during its production run. The closure of Metal Monkey Brewing's taproom in 2023 means this beer is no longer being produced, adding genuine scarcity to whatever inventory remains. For drinkers who value a clean, citrus-driven pale ale with a specific sense of place in the Chicago-area craft scene, Furious George stands as a distinctive example of what a small Illinois brewery could do with a single hop variety.