Old Irving Virtual Vacation 4Pk

Old Irving Virtual Vacation 4Pk is a Milkshake Double IPA brewed at 8.5% ABV by Old Irving Brewing Co. in Chicago, Illinois, sold as a four-pack of cans. Built on a foundation of Sabro and Strata hops alongside pineapple, toasted coconut, vanilla, and milk sugar (lactose), this beer has earned a strong 4 out of 5 rating from over 1,000 reviews on Untappd — a reliable indicator of consistent crowd appeal.

Quick Facts: ABV: 8.5%  |  Origin: Chicago, Illinois  |  Style: Milkshake Double IPA  |  Brewery: Old Irving Brewing Co.

Production & Heritage

Old Irving Brewing Co. operates out of Chicago's Irving Park neighborhood, a brewery known for rotating creative small-batch releases alongside a steady lineup. Virtual Vacation belongs to the milkshake IPA tradition — a substyle defined by the addition of lactose (milk sugar), fruit, and vanilla to create a fuller, creamier body than a conventional IPA. The dual hop bill of Sabro and Strata is deliberate: Sabro contributes coconut, tangerine, and stone fruit character, while Strata layers in tropical passionfruit and herbal dankness. Combined with real pineapple, toasted coconut, and vanilla additions, the result leans heavily into a dessert-adjacent, tropical profile that separates it from leaner, more resinous Double IPAs.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Ripe pineapple and toasted coconut lead, followed by softer vanilla sweetness and a subtle tropical dankness from the Strata hops. The lactose base adds a creamy, almost milkshake-like quality even on the nose.

Taste: The entry is lush and tropical — pineapple juice and coconut dominate the front palate, quickly joined by a smooth, creamy mid-palate texture from the lactose. Vanilla rounds out the middle, while the Sabro and Strata hops provide just enough bitterness to prevent the sweetness from becoming one-dimensional. At 8.5% ABV, the alcohol is well-integrated and barely perceptible beneath the fruit-forward weight.

Finish: Medium-long and surprisingly lingering, with residual tropical fruit sweetness and toasted coconut hanging on the palate. Reviewers consistently note how the flavor persists well after each sip, leaving a smooth, dessert-like impression.

How to Drink Virtual Vacation

Pour cold into a tulip glass or wide-mouth pint to release the aromatic complexity of the hop and adjunct additions; a slightly warmer temperature (around 45°F) will bring out more coconut and vanilla nuance than drinking it straight from the can. This beer is designed for standalone enjoyment rather than cocktail mixing. That said, adventurous drinkers sometimes use tropical milkshake IPAs as a float base — try it poured over a scoop of coconut or pineapple sorbet for a decadent beer float, or as the beer component in a shandy blended with fresh pineapple juice and a squeeze of lime.

Best For

• Hazy and milkshake IPA enthusiasts exploring Chicago's craft scene
• Warm-weather backyard drinking sessions where a tropical profile fits the mood
• Gifting to a craft beer fan who gravitates toward fruit-forward, dessert-style IPAs
• Pairing alongside a weekend brunch spread as a bold, flavorful alternative to lighter fare

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Virtual Vacation taste like? Virtual Vacation delivers a distinctly tropical profile dominated by pineapple, toasted coconut, and vanilla, with a thick, creamy mouthfeel from the lactose. The Sabro and Strata hops add enough dank, fruity bitterness to balance the sweetness without making it sharp.

How does Virtual Vacation compare to other milkshake IPAs? Virtual Vacation leans more heavily into coconut and pineapple than many milkshake DIPAs, which often center on stone fruit or berry adjuncts. Its dual use of Sabro and Strata hops — both known for tropical and coconut-forward character — reinforces the adjunct flavors rather than competing with them, giving it a more cohesive tropical identity.

Is Virtual Vacation good for IPA beginners? Its creamy body, low perceived bitterness, and dessert-like sweetness make it more approachable than many Double IPAs, though at 8.5% ABV it is a strong beer that should be sipped with awareness of its potency.

Where is Virtual Vacation made? Virtual Vacation is brewed by Old Irving Brewing Co. in the Irving Park neighborhood of Chicago, Illinois. The brewery produces a range of styles but has developed a following for its rotating hop-forward and adjunct-heavy releases.

What foods pair well with Virtual Vacation? Thai coconut curry complements the beer's own coconut and tropical notes. Jerk chicken works well, as the beer's sweetness tempers the spice. Grilled pineapple or teriyaki-glazed shrimp echo the fruit-forward character. A slice of coconut cream pie mirrors the dessert-like finish. Soft, creamy cheeses like burrata provide a textural match for the lactose body.

What sizes does Virtual Vacation come in? Virtual Vacation is available as a four-pack of cans, the standard format for Old Irving Brewing's rotating releases.

Is Virtual Vacation worth the price? Virtual Vacation positions within the premium craft tier typical of adjunct-heavy, small-batch Double IPAs from independent urban breweries. The ingredient-intensive recipe — real pineapple, toasted coconut, vanilla, lactose, and two specialty hop varieties — justifies its placement above standard IPA pricing, and its strong Untappd reception suggests reliable quality for the category.

Why Virtual Vacation?

What distinguishes Virtual Vacation from the crowded milkshake IPA field is the deliberate alignment between its hop selection and its adjuncts. Sabro hops already carry natural coconut and tropical fruit character, so when paired with actual pineapple, toasted coconut, and vanilla, the result is layered rather than disjointed — the hops and the fruit additions reinforce one another. That coherence, combined with a 4-out-of-5 Untappd rating across more than a thousand reviews, signals a release that consistently delivers on its premise. For drinkers seeking a genuinely tropical, full-bodied Double IPA from a respected Chicago independent brewery, this four-pack earns serious consideration.