Mikerphone Mikerphone Solo 4Pk

Mikerphone Solo 4Pk is a double dry-hopped hazy IPA from Mikerphone Brewing, packaged as a 4-pack of cans at 6.5% ABV. Scoring a 92 on BeerAdvocate, this Citra-hopped session-friendly IPA delivers a concentrated burst of tropical fruit on a pillowy, juice-forward body that has become a hallmark of the Elk Grove Village brewery.

Quick Facts: ABV: 6.5%  |  Origin: Elk Grove Village, Illinois  |  Style: Double Dry-Hopped Hazy IPA  |  Brewery: Mikerphone Brewing

Production & Heritage

Mikerphone Brewing operates out of Elk Grove Village, Illinois, and earned recognition as Best New Brewery in Illinois from RateBeer and one of the Best New Breweries in the World from BeerAdvocate Magazine in 2015. Solo is built around a single hop variety — Citra — applied through a double dry-hopping process that amplifies aromatic intensity without adding harsh bitterness. The beer rides on a smooth oat-forward base that gives it the creamy, haze-heavy mouthfeel characteristic of the New England IPA style, positioning Solo as the more sessionable sibling in Mikerphone's Citra-focused IPA lineup.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Ripe mango and papaya lead the nose, followed by bright tangerine citrus and subtle floral notes. The aromatics are juicy and lifted, with the double dry-hop delivering immediate tropical intensity from the first pour.

Taste: The entry is a wave of citrus and mango juice, almost nectar-like in sweetness. Mid-palate brings a touch of oat-driven malt sweetness as the citrus character pivots from tangerine toward pink grapefruit. Lychee and lime notes emerge underneath, and bitterness remains virtually imperceptible throughout.

Finish: Medium in length with a soft, creamy texture that fades cleanly. Lingering tropical fruit — mostly pineapple and mango — hangs on the palate without astringency or hop burn.

How to Drink Mikerphone Solo

Pour into a tulip glass or stemless wine glass to concentrate the aromatic oils released by the double dry-hop. Solo drinks best fresh and cold, ideally within a few weeks of packaging to capture peak hop expression. While this beer shines on its own, it also works in a Hop Shandy blended with fresh lemonade for a summer crusher, a Michelada-style build with lime and hot sauce where the mango notes complement the spice, or a Beer-mosa paired with fresh-squeezed orange juice at brunch for a tropical twist on the classic.

Best For

• Introducing a friend to the hazy IPA style with a balanced, low-bitterness example
• Backyard grilling sessions where a flavorful but sessionable ABV keeps the afternoon going
• Gifting a craft beer enthusiast who gravitates toward Citra-hopped offerings
• Pairing with a taco spread or casual dinner where tropical fruit character complements bold flavors

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Mikerphone Solo taste like? Mikerphone Solo delivers a juicy, tropical flavor profile dominated by mango, tangerine citrus, pineapple, and lychee on a smooth, creamy oat base. Bitterness is virtually absent, making it drink more like tropical fruit juice than a traditional IPA.

How does Mikerphone Solo compare to Mikerphone Check 1, 2? Solo is considered the "little brother" to Mikerphone's Check 1, 2 — both share the same Citra hop focus, golden hazy appearance, and creamy body, but Solo comes in at a lower ABV of 6.5%, making it more sessionable. Check 1, 2 hits harder in hop intensity and alcohol, while Solo prioritizes drinkability.

Is Mikerphone Solo good for beginners? Solo is an excellent entry point into hazy IPAs because it avoids the aggressive bitterness that can deter newcomers, instead leading with approachable tropical fruit flavors and a soft, pillowy mouthfeel at a moderate 6.5% ABV.

Where is Mikerphone Solo made? Mikerphone Solo is brewed at Mikerphone Brewing, located at 121 Garlisch Drive in Elk Grove Village, Illinois, a suburb northwest of Chicago.

What foods pair well with Mikerphone Solo? Fish tacos with mango salsa mirror the beer's tropical character; Thai green curry benefits from the beer's citrus brightness cutting through coconut cream; grilled shrimp with lime picks up the lychee and citrus notes; a charcuterie board with mild cheeses like Havarti contrasts the hop-forward profile; and key lime pie echoes the citrus finish.

What sizes does Mikerphone Solo come in? Mikerphone Solo is available in a standard 4-pack of cans, which is the primary retail format for this release.

Is Mikerphone Solo worth the price? Solo positions as a premium craft IPA from a well-regarded independent brewery, and its 92-point BeerAdvocate rating and double dry-hopped Citra hop bill justify its place among top-tier hazy IPAs in its price tier.

Why Mikerphone Solo?

What separates Solo from the crowded hazy IPA field is its disciplined single-hop approach — by building the entire recipe around Citra and applying a double dry-hop technique, Mikerphone achieves a depth and clarity of flavor that multi-hop blends often sacrifice for complexity. The 92-point BeerAdvocate score reflects a beer that consistently delivers at a high level across its production runs. At 6.5% ABV, Solo occupies a smart middle ground: flavorful enough to satisfy hop-forward drinkers, moderate enough to enjoy more than one. It stands as a focused, well-executed expression from a brewery that earned global recognition within its first year of operation.