Noon Whistle Rubix IPA 4Pk

Noon Whistle Rubix IPA 4Pk is a West Coast–influenced American IPA brewed at 7.2% ABV, sold in a 4-pack format. Brewed by Noon Whistle Brewing in Lombard, Illinois, Rubix IPA distinguishes itself through a triple-hop bill featuring Simcoe, Vic Secret, and Amarillo — a combination that bridges classic American pine character with newer-wave tropical aromatics. The beer carries an 86 ("Very Good") rating on BeerAdvocate.

Quick Facts: ABV: 7.2%  |  Origin: Lombard, Illinois, USA  |  Style: American IPA (West Coast)  |  Brewery: Noon Whistle Brewing

Production & Heritage

Noon Whistle Brewing operates out of Lombard, a western suburb of Chicago, and has built a reputation for hop-forward beers alongside its playful, approachable branding. Rubix IPA follows a West Coast blueprint — clean fermentation, firm bitterness, and a dry finish that lets the hops speak clearly. The hop bill pairs two proven American varieties, Simcoe and Amarillo, with the Australian-bred Vic Secret, a hop known for its pineapple and pine resin qualities. This blend of Old World IPA architecture and Southern Hemisphere hop genetics gives Rubix its own identity within the crowded American IPA space.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Pine resin leads immediately, followed by orange peel and a wave of tropical fruit — predominantly pineapple from the Vic Secret hops. A light floral lift rounds out the nose as the beer warms in the glass.

Taste: The entry is slightly sweet, with a fleeting honey-like malt character that quickly yields to the hop presence. Mid-palate, citrus and pine dominate, with Simcoe's earthy, dank quality anchoring the bitterness. As it moves toward peak intensity, the Amarillo hops contribute grapefruit brightness that keeps things lively rather than one-dimensional.

Finish: Clean and decisively dry in the West Coast tradition, with lingering pine resin and a subtle herbal bitterness. The finish is moderately long, encouraging the next sip rather than overwhelming the palate.

How to Drink Rubix IPA

Pour into a tulip glass or standard pint at 40–45°F to let the hop aromatics open fully; drinking straight from the can mutes the tropical and floral top notes. For a straightforward approach, Rubix drinks well on its own alongside casual meals. It also works in a Hop Shandy, where its pine-forward bitterness balances fresh lemonade; a Citrus Radler, blending with grapefruit juice to amplify the Amarillo hop character; or an IPA Michelada, where the resinous hops stand up to lime, hot sauce, and Clamato without disappearing.

Best For

• Backyard grilling sessions where bold hop character matches smoky, charred food
• Introducing a hop-curious friend to the West Coast IPA style
• Building a craft beer flight alongside other regional Illinois IPAs
• Watching playoff games with a small group that appreciates something beyond macro lager

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Rubix IPA taste like? Rubix IPA leads with pine resin and a brief malt sweetness before firm citrus and dank hop bitterness take over, finishing clean and dry in classic West Coast fashion.

How does Rubix IPA compare to Stone IPA? Both are West Coast IPAs, but Stone IPA (6.9% ABV) leans on Chinook and Centennial hops for a more aggressively bitter, piney profile, while Rubix IPA (7.2% ABV) integrates Australian Vic Secret hops for additional tropical pineapple character alongside its pine backbone. Rubix tends to drink slightly softer on the palate despite the higher ABV.

Is Rubix IPA good for sipping on its own? Yes — its dry finish and layered hop complexity make it well-suited for drinking on its own, especially when poured into proper glassware at the right temperature to showcase the aromatics.

Where is Rubix IPA made? Rubix IPA is brewed by Noon Whistle Brewing in Lombard, Illinois, a suburb located about 20 miles west of downtown Chicago in the DuPage County craft beer corridor.

What foods pair well with Rubix IPA? Spicy Thai basil chicken, where the hop bitterness cuts through heat and richness. Grilled burgers with sharp cheddar, which match the malt sweetness and pine resin. Fish tacos with citrus slaw, amplifying the beer's tropical notes. Aged Gouda, whose caramel depth complements the honey-like malt character. Jalapeño poppers, where the dry finish refreshes between bites of cream cheese and pepper.

What sizes does Rubix IPA come in? Rubix IPA is commonly available in a 4-pack format, which is the standard retail configuration from Noon Whistle Brewing for this expression.

Is Rubix IPA worth the price? Rubix IPA positions as a mid-range craft IPA, competitive with other regional and national West Coast IPAs in its price tier. The use of Vic Secret hops — a specialty Australian variety that commands higher cost — adds genuine value to the hop bill compared to IPAs relying solely on domestic varieties.

Why Rubix IPA?

The defining move here is the inclusion of Vic Secret hops alongside the more familiar Simcoe and Amarillo pairing. Where many West Coast IPAs rely entirely on American hop stock, the Australian Vic Secret brings a distinct pineapple-pine duality that gives Rubix a recognizable signature. The beer's BeerAdvocate score of 86 confirms that this combination resonates with experienced craft drinkers. For those in or near the Chicago area especially, Rubix IPA represents a strong local entry in a style too often ceded to West Coast and Pacific Northwest breweries — proof that a Lombard, Illinois taproom can compete head-on in the American IPA category.