Noon Whistle Smack Pack 12Pk

Noon Whistle Smack Pack 12Pk is a 12-can variety pack of four fruit-forward sour ales at 5.0% ABV from Noon Whistle Brewing in Illinois. The pack collects three cans each of Guava Gose, Fuzzy Smack, Smack That, and Passionfruit Face Smack — spanning the brewery's popular "Smack" sour series in a single box. Individual entries like Smack That and Fuzzy Smack have earned 4.25 out of 5 ratings on BeerAdvocate, while Passionfruit Face Smack holds a 3.8 on Untappd.

Quick Facts: ABV: 5.0%  |  Origin: Illinois, USA  |  Style: Sour Ale Variety Pack  |  Brewery: Noon Whistle Brewing

Production & Heritage

Noon Whistle Brewing operates two Illinois facilities: a larger production brewery in Naperville and a Lombard location dedicated to innovative, wild, and funky beer production. The Smack series draws from this experimental focus, with each beer built around a different fruit or technique — gose, dry-hopped sour, and fruit-forward berliner weisse styles all make appearances. At a uniform 5.0% ABV across the lineup, the pack is designed for easy-drinking sessions rather than cellaring.

Tasting Notes

Guava Gose: Opens with bright tropical guava aroma layered over a light salinity. On the palate, tart citrus meets soft guava sweetness, finishing dry and crisp with a clean mineral edge.

Fuzzy Smack: Ripe peach dominates the nose with a bubbly, almost champagne-like effervescence. The flavor is authentically fruity and juicy, with moderate tartness and a smooth, refreshing close that reviewers compare to sparkling wine.

Smack That: Dry-hopped character brings a resinous, slightly grassy note to the aroma. Big tart grapefruit flesh hits at the mid-palate, balanced by a kiss of hops at the back end that adds bitterness without overwhelming the sour base.

Passionfruit Face Smack: Intense passionfruit on the nose — tangy, tropical, and bright. The taste leans tart and tangy with a juicy passionfruit core, finishing clean with lingering tropical acidity.

How to Drink the Smack Pack

All four beers are best served well-chilled, straight from the can or poured into a tulip glass to concentrate the fruit aromatics. Their low ABV and tart profiles make them natural warm-weather session beers. For a simple beer cocktail, the Guava Gose works well in a Gose Margarita (replace some of the citrus element with the gose's salinity). Fuzzy Smack slots into a Peach Radler mixed with lemonade for an ultra-refreshing long drink. Smack That's dry-hopped tartness pairs naturally with a Sour Shandy build using ginger beer and a squeeze of lime.

Best For

• Introducing sour-curious friends to the style with approachable fruit-forward flavors
• Backyard barbecues and outdoor gatherings where low-ABV variety keeps things interesting
• Gifting a craft beer fan who gravitates toward tart and fruity styles
• Side-by-side tasting sessions comparing gose, dry-hopped sour, and fruit berliner weisse approaches

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the Smack Pack taste like? The four beers share a crisp, tart foundation but diverge through their fruit and hop additions — expect guava, peach, grapefruit, and passionfruit flavors ranging from tangy-tropical to dry-hopped and citrusy. None are aggressively sour; reviewers consistently describe the tartness as balanced and refreshing.

How does the Smack Pack compare to other sour variety packs? Noon Whistle's pack focuses exclusively on its "Smack" sour series, giving it a more cohesive identity than mixed-style variety packs that include IPAs or lagers alongside a single sour. The uniform 5.0% ABV also makes it more sessionable than packs that mix higher-gravity offerings.

Is the Smack Pack good for sour beer beginners? Yes — the fruit-forward profiles and moderate tartness make these accessible entry points into sour ales, and having four different expressions lets newcomers discover which fruit and style they prefer.

Where is the Smack Pack made? Noon Whistle Brewing is based in Illinois, with production facilities in Naperville and Lombard. The Lombard facility is specifically dedicated to the brewery's experimental and wild/funky beer programs, including the Smack sour series.

What foods pair well with the Smack Pack? Guava Gose pairs with ceviche or shrimp tacos, where its salinity mirrors the dish. Fuzzy Smack complements a fresh goat cheese salad, its peach tartness cutting through the creaminess. Smack That works alongside grilled chicken with citrus glaze. Passionfruit Face Smack stands up to spicy Thai green curry, where its acidity tempers the heat. All four pair well with soft-ripened cheeses like brie.

What sizes does the Smack Pack come in? The Smack Pack is available as a 12-pack of cans, containing three cans each of four different sour ales.

Is the Smack Pack worth the price? The Smack Pack positions in the mid-range craft variety pack tier, delivering four distinct sour expressions with individually well-rated beers — a reasonable value for drinkers who want to explore Noon Whistle's sour lineup without committing to full six-packs of each.

Why the Smack Pack?

Noon Whistle's decision to dedicate an entire facility to wild and experimental brewing gives the Smack series a production pedigree that casual variety packs lack. Each of the four beers has earned solid independent ratings — Smack That and Fuzzy Smack both scored 4.25 on BeerAdvocate — suggesting consistency across the lineup rather than one standout surrounded by filler. The 5.0% ABV keeps everything sessionable, and the fruit diversity (guava, peach, passionfruit, plus dry-hopped grapefruit) means the pack functions as a self-contained tasting flight through modern American sour styles. For anyone drawn to tart, fruit-driven beers, it remains one of the more focused and well-executed variety packs coming out of the Illinois craft scene.