Old Irving Scentinel 4Pk

Old Irving Scentinel 4Pk is a hop-forward American IPA from Chicago's Old Irving Brewing Co., packaged in a 4-pack of 16oz cans at 6.2% ABV. Built on a trio of Citra, Mosaic, and Centennial hops, Scentinel has earned a 4.25 out of 5 from BeerAdvocate reviewers and holds a steady 3.8 on Untappd across more than 3,700 ratings.

Quick Facts: ABV: 6.2%  |  IBU: 58  |  Origin: Chicago, Illinois  |  Style: American IPA  |  Brewery: Old Irving Brewing Co.

Production & Heritage

Old Irving Brewing Co. operates out of Chicago's Irving Park neighborhood, a brewery that has collected Gold medals at the Great American Beer Festival and World Beer Cup for other releases in its lineup. Scentinel uses a grain bill of 2-Row, Carapils, Wheat, Munich, Melanoidin, and Caramel malts, providing a sturdy backbone beneath the assertive hop character. The hop schedule features Citra, Mosaic, and Centennial — three varieties chosen for their complementary citrus, tropical, and floral qualities — yielding 58 IBUs in a style that leans toward classic West Coast bitterness rather than the haze-forward approach of the brewery's other IPAs.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Bright grapefruit citrus leads, followed by resinous pine and softer floral notes from the Mosaic and Centennial hops. A subtle mango rind quality emerges as the beer warms slightly in the glass.

Taste: The entry is clean and citrus-driven, with grapefruit and tropical fruit dominating the front palate. At mid-palate, Munich and Melanoidin malts provide a bready, lightly toasted sweetness that balances the hop bitterness. The peak brings a firm, resinous pine bite that keeps the malt from tipping the beer into sweetness.

Finish: Crisp and decidedly dry, with lingering grapefruit pith and a moderate bitterness that invites the next sip. A faint lemon-citrus reduction character lingers underneath, adding complexity without heaviness.

How to Drink Scentinel

Scentinel is best served cold — around 45°F — in a tulip glass or standard pint to let the aromatic hop oils open up fully. It also works well in beer-based cocktails and food pairings:

• IPA Shandy: Mix with fresh grapefruit juice to amplify the citrus character on a hot day.
• Michelada: The firm bitterness and dry finish stand up to lime, hot sauce, and tomato juice without getting lost.
• Beer-a-Rita: Blend with lime juice and a splash of orange liqueur — the Citra hops reinforce the citrus base.

Best For

• Introducing someone to Chicago's independent craft beer scene
• Backyard cookouts where hop-forward IPAs pair with grilled meats
• Stocking a varied craft beer fridge with a reliable, sessionable IPA
• Gifting a hop enthusiast who gravitates toward classic American IPA profiles

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Scentinel taste like? Scentinel delivers bold grapefruit and tropical fruit up front, supported by a bready malt backbone and a dry, piney finish at 58 IBUs. The overall impression is a well-balanced American IPA that favors crisp bitterness over juicy haze.

How does Scentinel compare to Half Acre Daisy Cutter? Both are flagship hop-forward beers from Chicago breweries, but Scentinel runs slightly lower in ABV at 6.2% versus Daisy Cutter's 5.2% pale ale profile, and its Citra-Mosaic-Centennial hop bill gives it a more tropical, citrus-forward character compared to Daisy Cutter's balanced, earthy hop presence. Scentinel also sits firmly in the IPA category rather than the American pale ale style.

Is Scentinel good for sipping on its own? Yes — the balanced grain bill and moderate 6.2% ABV make it sessionable enough to enjoy straight from the can or poured into a glass, especially for drinkers who appreciate defined hop bitterness without overwhelming alcohol heat.

Where is Scentinel made? Scentinel is brewed at Old Irving Brewing Co. in the Irving Park neighborhood of Chicago, Illinois. The brewery is a neighborhood-focused operation that distributes primarily within the Chicago metropolitan area.

What foods pair well with Scentinel? Grilled burgers or bratwurst benefit from the beer's hop bitterness cutting through fat. Spicy Thai or Indian curry dishes are balanced by the malt sweetness and citrus aromatics. Sharp cheddar or pepper jack cheese amplifies the piney, resinous hop notes. Fish tacos with lime crema echo the grapefruit and tropical character in the hop profile.

What sizes does Scentinel come in? Scentinel is available in 4-packs of 16oz cans as well as 1/6 barrel and 1/2 barrel kegs for draft service.

Is Scentinel worth the price? Scentinel positions as a mid-tier craft IPA, priced in line with other quality 4-pack 16oz offerings from independent Chicago breweries. Its consistent ratings above 3.8 on Untappd and strong BeerAdvocate scores suggest solid value within the competitive American IPA segment.

Why Scentinel?

Scentinel stands on the strength of its three-hop combination — Citra, Mosaic, and Centennial — a blend that delivers layered citrus, tropical, and floral complexity without relying on the hazy, soft-bodied approach that dominates much of the current IPA market. The grain bill, which includes Melanoidin and Munich malts alongside more neutral base grains, gives the beer a structural depth that many single-malt IPAs lack. Old Irving Brewing has proven its technical chops with GABF and World Beer Cup Gold medals on other releases, and that brewing precision carries through in Scentinel's clean bitterness and balanced finish. For drinkers who want a Chicago-brewed IPA that respects the classic American IPA tradition while bringing genuine hop complexity, this is a reliable and well-executed choice.