Phase Three Balance & Scale 4Pk

Phase Three Balance & Scale 4Pk is a hazy Double IPA from Phase Three Brewing Company in Lake Zurich, Illinois, sold as a four-pack. Brewed with a triple-threat hop bill of Meridian, Citra, and El Dorado, this release carries a strong 4.0 out of 5 rating across nearly 700 reviews on Untappd, placing it firmly among the brewery's well-regarded core Double IPA offerings.

Quick Facts: Style: Imperial / Double New England IPA  |  Origin: Lake Zurich, Illinois  |  Hops: Meridian, Citra, El Dorado  |  Brewery: Phase Three Brewing Company

Production & Heritage

Phase Three Brewing Company operates out of Lake Zurich, a suburb northwest of Chicago, and has built a devoted following in the competitive Midwest haze scene. Balance & Scale is a Double IPA constructed on what the brewery describes as a soft, pillowy malt bed designed to showcase the hop bill rather than compete with it. The combination of Meridian, Citra, and El Dorado hops was chosen to layer tropical citrus, stone fruit, and berry characteristics without veering into harsh bitterness — a hallmark of the New England Double IPA style that Phase Three executes with notable consistency.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Lemon zest leads the nose, followed by ripe tropical fruit and a distinct berry sweetness. A subtle grain-forward softness anchors the aromatics without competing with the hops.

Taste: The entry is immediately juicy, with bright citrus and tropical fruit flooding the palate. At mid-palate, the pillowy malt body rounds out the hop intensity, delivering berry and stone fruit notes. Despite its Double IPA strength, the overall impression is remarkably clean, with none of the astringent or boozy edges that can plague the style.

Finish: Medium-length with lingering tropical fruit and a faint resinous quality from the El Dorado hops. The finish stays soft rather than bitter, encouraging another sip.

How to Drink Balance & Scale

Serve cold — around 40–45°F — in a tulip glass or stemless wine glass to concentrate the aromatic hop oils. Pouring into a glass rather than drinking from the can is essential with a beer this hop-forward; the aroma is half the experience. Balance & Scale is best enjoyed fresh, ideally within a few weeks of packaging, as the delicate tropical hop character fades over time. This is a sipping beer, not a session beer — the Double IPA strength rewards a slower pace.

Best For

• Hazy IPA enthusiasts exploring top Midwest breweries
• Sharing with friends during a backyard cookout or tasting session
• Gifting to a craft beer collector who values limited-distribution releases
• Adding to a curated tasting flight alongside other premium Double IPAs

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Balance & Scale taste like? Balance & Scale delivers bright lemon, tropical fruit, and berry flavors on a soft, pillowy malt base, finishing clean with minimal bitterness despite its Double IPA classification.

How does Balance & Scale compare to Other Half Double IPAs? Both breweries emphasize juicy, low-bitterness hop profiles in their Double IPAs, but Phase Three's Balance & Scale leans into a notably soft malt body and a Meridian-Citra-El Dorado hop combination that skews more toward berry and stone fruit than Other Half's typically citrus-and-tropical-dominant blends.

Is Balance & Scale good for sipping on its own? Yes — the clean, balanced hop profile and smooth malt backbone make it highly drinkable neat from a glass, and the complexity rewards slow, attentive drinking.

Where is Balance & Scale made? Balance & Scale is brewed by Phase Three Brewing Company in Lake Zurich, Illinois, located in the northwest suburbs of Chicago.

What foods pair well with Balance & Scale? Spicy Thai curry contrasts well with the beer's juicy sweetness; fish tacos mirror its citrus notes; a charcuterie board with soft cheeses like brie complements the pillowy body; grilled chicken with a citrus glaze echoes the tropical hop profile; and a classic smash burger benefits from the beer's carbonation and fruit-forward cut through richness.

What sizes does Balance & Scale come in? Balance & Scale is available as a four-pack of cans, the standard format for Phase Three Brewing's IPA releases.

Is Balance & Scale worth the price? Balance & Scale positions as a premium craft Double IPA from a brewery with strong community ratings and limited distribution — it sits in the upper tier of everyday hazy DIPAs and represents solid value for drinkers who prioritize fresh, well-executed hop-forward beer.

Why Balance & Scale?

Phase Three Brewing has earned its reputation in one of the most competitive hazy IPA markets in the country, and Balance & Scale illustrates why. The Meridian, Citra, and El Dorado hop combination is deliberately calibrated to produce layered fruit character — lemon, berry, tropical — without the one-note citrus bomb that plagues lesser entries in the Double IPA category. A 4.0 rating on Untappd across nearly 700 reviews confirms broad drinkability and consistency. For anyone seeking a clean, flavorful Double IPA from a brewery that takes the style seriously, this four-pack delivers exactly what the name promises: balance.