Noon Whistle Be Excellent 4Pk

Noon Whistle Be Excellent 4Pk is a hop-forward IPA from Noon Whistle Brewing in Lombard, Illinois, sold in a convenient four-pack format. This expression is part of a collaborative brewing project, reflecting Noon Whistle's emphasis on community-driven, hyper-local craft beer.

Quick Facts: Style: IPA  |  Origin: Lombard, Illinois, USA  |  Format: 4-Pack  |  Brewery: Noon Whistle Brewing

Production & Heritage

Noon Whistle Brewing operates out of locations in Lombard and Naperville, Illinois, producing a rotating lineup of craft beers with a strong local following. Be Excellent emerged from a two-part collaborative concept — Noon Whistle brewed Be Excellent while a neighboring brewery produced its companion beer, "To Each Other," making the pair a celebration of the Illinois craft community. Specific production details such as hop bill and grain composition have not been publicly documented by the brewery for this release.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: As an IPA, expect hop-driven aromatics typical of the style — resinous, citrus, and floral top notes. The initial impression should lean bright and aromatic.

Taste: The palate delivers the characteristic bitterness and hop intensity associated with American IPAs. Mid-palate, a malt backbone provides balance against the hop presence, with citrus and pine flavors common to the style.

Finish: A lingering bitterness is expected, consistent with the IPA category. The close should carry residual hop character with a dry, clean fade.

How to Drink Be Excellent

Pour into a tulip glass or standard pint glass at a cool 45–50°F to let the hop aromatics open fully. Be Excellent is best enjoyed fresh and on its own, though hop-forward IPAs also work well in a Hop Shandy (mixed with fresh lemonade for a warm-weather drink), a Michelada variation (using the IPA's bitterness to stand up to tomato juice and hot sauce), or a simple Beermosa riff (paired with fresh-squeezed orange juice for brunch).

Best For

• Sharing with friends during a weekend cookout or barbecue
• Exploring collaborative and limited-run Illinois craft beers
• Casual weeknight drinking for hop enthusiasts
• Supporting local Chicagoland-area breweries

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Be Excellent taste like? Be Excellent is an IPA, so its dominant profile centers on hop bitterness, citrus, and pine flavors balanced by a supportive malt body. The specific hop varieties used have not been publicly disclosed by the brewery.

How does Be Excellent compare to other Noon Whistle IPAs? Noon Whistle produces several hop-forward styles, but Be Excellent is distinguished by its collaborative origin — it was brewed as one half of a joint project with a neighboring Illinois brewery. Direct side-by-side tasting comparisons with other Noon Whistle IPAs are not widely documented.

Is Be Excellent good for IPA beginners? American IPAs can range from aggressively bitter to more approachable and fruit-forward. Without a confirmed ABV or detailed flavor breakdown, newcomers to IPAs should expect a solidly hop-forward experience typical of the style.

Where is Be Excellent made? Be Excellent is brewed by Noon Whistle Brewing, headquartered in Lombard, Illinois, with a second taproom location in Naperville, Illinois. Both facilities serve the western suburbs of Chicago.

What foods pair well with Be Excellent? Spicy tacos and carnitas — hop bitterness cuts through rich, spicy flavors. Grilled burgers with sharp cheddar — the malt backbone complements charred meat. Fish and chips — a classic IPA pairing where bitterness balances fried batter. Aged gouda or blue cheese — bold cheese stands up to hop intensity. Buffalo wings — the carbonation and bitterness cleanse the palate between bites.

What sizes does Be Excellent come in? Be Excellent is sold in a four-pack format. The exact can size (12 oz or 16 oz) may vary; check the packaging for confirmation.

Is Be Excellent worth the price? Be Excellent positions within the standard craft IPA price tier for a four-pack from a regional Illinois brewery. Its collaborative backstory and limited availability add interest for collectors of local craft releases.

Why Be Excellent?

What sets Be Excellent apart from the crowded IPA field is its origin story — a genuine collaboration between Noon Whistle Brewing and a neighboring Illinois brewery, each producing a companion beer designed to be experienced together. That hyper-local concept reflects a growing trend in Midwestern craft brewing toward community partnerships over competition. For drinkers in the Chicagoland area and beyond, it represents a chance to taste what happens when two breweries align on a single creative vision. The four-pack format makes it easy to share or enjoy across multiple sessions.