Mikerphone Instrumental IPA 4Pk

Mikerphone Instrumental IPA 4Pk is a hop-forward India Pale Ale from Mikerphone Brewing in Elk Grove Village, Illinois, sold as a four-pack. Mikerphone Brewing earned Best New Brewery in Illinois from RateBeer in 2015 and was named One of the Best New Breweries in the World by Beer Advocate Magazine, establishing the brewery as a serious force in Midwestern craft beer.

Quick Facts: Style: India Pale Ale  |  Origin: Elk Grove Village, Illinois  |  Format: 4-Pack  |  Brewery: Mikerphone Brewing

Production & Heritage

Mikerphone Brewing operates out of Elk Grove Village, a suburb northwest of Chicago, and has built a devoted following for its hop-centric lineup since its founding. The brewery is widely credited as the first to produce and release a New England-style Double IPA in Illinois — and possibly the entire Midwest — positioning it at the forefront of the hazy IPA movement in the region. Instrumental IPA is part of a broader portfolio of IPAs that leans into the brewery's strength with hops, though specific production details such as hop bill and grain composition for this particular release have not been publicly documented by the brewery.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: As an IPA from a brewery celebrated for hop-driven beers, expect a pronounced hop bouquet. Citrus and tropical fruit aromatics are characteristic of the Mikerphone approach to the style.

Taste: The palate should deliver assertive hop bitterness balanced by malt structure. Mid-palate, look for the resinous, fruity hop character Mikerphone is known for across its IPA range.

Finish: Anticipate a lingering hop bitterness with a clean, dry close. The finish should carry forward the hop aromatics present on the nose.

Note: Specific verified tasting notes for this individual release were not available at time of writing. The above reflects the general IPA character Mikerphone Brewing is known for.

How to Drink Instrumental IPA

Pour into a tulip glass or IPA glass at around 45°F to fully release the hop aromatics. Drinking straight from the can works in casual settings but a glass pour lets the nose open up considerably.

• Michelada: The hop bitterness pairs well with lime, hot sauce, and Clamato for a bold, savory beer cocktail.
• IPA Shandy: Cut with fresh lemonade for a refreshing warm-weather serve that highlights citrus hop notes.
• Beer-a-Rita: Blend with lime juice and a splash of orange liqueur over ice for a hop-forward twist on a classic margarita.

Best For

• Stocking the fridge for a weekend cookout with hop-loving friends
• Introducing someone to Illinois craft beer beyond the Chicago city limits
• Pairing with spicy grilled foods during summer gatherings
• Bringing to a bottle share as a conversation-starting Midwest IPA

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Instrumental IPA taste like? While specific verified tasting notes for this release are limited, Mikerphone Brewing is celebrated for hop-forward IPAs with prominent citrus and tropical fruit character balanced by clean malt backbones.

How does Instrumental IPA compare to Mikerphone Check 1, 2? Both are IPAs from the same Elk Grove Village brewery, but Check 1, 2 is a well-known double dry-hopped Double IPA that sits higher on the intensity scale; Instrumental IPA appears to be a standard-strength IPA, making it a more sessionable option within the Mikerphone lineup.

Is Instrumental IPA good for craft beer beginners? IPAs in general carry significant hop bitterness that can be intense for newcomers, but Mikerphone's reputation for balanced, well-made hop beers means this is a reasonable entry point for someone ready to explore the style.

Where is Instrumental IPA made? Instrumental IPA is brewed by Mikerphone Brewing in Elk Grove Village, Illinois, located in the northwest suburbs of Chicago in the greater Chicagoland area.

What foods pair well with Instrumental IPA? Spicy tacos and carnitas work well, as hop bitterness cuts through rich, fatty meats. Sharp cheddar or pepper jack cheese complements the hop intensity. Grilled burgers with caramelized onions provide a savory counterpoint. Thai green curry matches tropical hop notes, and wood-fired pizza with pepperoni offers a classic pairing.

What sizes does Instrumental IPA come in? This product is sold as a four-pack; individual can size should be confirmed on the packaging, as Mikerphone Brewing has released beers in both 12 oz and 16 oz can formats.

Is Instrumental IPA worth the price? Mikerphone Brewing positions itself in the craft-premium tier, with pricing that reflects small-batch production and the brewery's award-winning reputation — competitive with other respected Midwest craft IPAs.

Why Instrumental IPA?

Mikerphone Brewing earned its credibility the hard way: by pioneering New England-style IPAs in a region that had yet to embrace the hazy movement. The brewery's recognition as Best New Brewery in Illinois by RateBeer and one of the best new breweries globally by Beer Advocate Magazine speaks to a level of quality that extends across its full lineup. Instrumental IPA gives drinkers access to that pedigree in a convenient four-pack format, rooted in the hop-first philosophy that put this Elk Grove Village operation on the national craft beer radar.