Phase Three Floating Free 4Pk

Phase Three Floating Free 4Pk is a Belgian Wit-style wheat beer brewed at 5.2% ABV, sold as a four-pack of cans from Phase Three Brewing Company in Lake Zurich, Illinois. This witbier stands out among Illinois craft offerings with an 86-point rating on BeerAdvocate and a 3.7 out of 5 on Untappd across more than 1,200 ratings.

Quick Facts: ABV: 5.2%  |  Origin: Lake Zurich, Illinois  |  Style: Belgian Wit / Witbier  |  Brewery: Phase Three Brewing Company

Production & Heritage

Phase Three Brewing Company operates out of Lake Zurich, Illinois, and has built a following for expressive, style-forward beers. Floating Free follows the Belgian witbier tradition of brewing with unmalted wheat alongside orange peel and spices — a technique that was once considered unconventional for most beer styles in America. The result is a hazy, light-bodied wheat beer that leans into classic Flemish-inspired flavors without overloading on any single ingredient.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Fresh citrus peel rises immediately, joined by a dusting of white pepper and soft bread dough. The spice character stays restrained, letting the wheat base breathe.

Taste: The entry is smooth and wheaty with a gentle citrus brightness that builds across the mid-palate. Orange peel adds a measured zestiness rather than an artificial sweetness, while peppery spice notes arrive toward the peak without dominating. The balance between grain and spice lands exactly where a well-executed wit should.

Finish: Light and clean with a dry, slightly peppery close. A faint breadiness lingers alongside citrus, keeping the finish refreshing and encouraging another sip.

How to Drink Floating Free

Serve cold in a tulip glass or wide-mouthed goblet to let the aromatics open up; a standard pint glass works fine in casual settings. Floating Free works in a Witbier Shandy mixed with fresh lemonade for a low-ABV summer drink. Try it in a Beer-mosa — swapping the usual lager for this wit adds spice complexity to orange juice. It also anchors a Radler blended with grapefruit soda, where its own citrus peel character harmonizes naturally.

Best For

• Warm-weather cookouts and backyard sessions where low ABV and easy drinking matter
• Introducing craft beer to friends who gravitate toward lighter, approachable styles
• Pairing alongside brunch spreads with egg dishes and fresh fruit
• Stocking a mixed cooler for a gathering where variety and drinkability are key

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Floating Free taste like? Floating Free delivers fresh citrus peel and white pepper over a soft, bready wheat base, finishing clean and dry. It avoids heavy-handed orange flavor in favor of balanced, spice-forward refreshment.

How does Floating Free compare to Blue Moon Belgian White? Both are American-brewed Belgian wits made with orange peel and spices, but Floating Free comes from a small independent craft brewery and tends to show more restrained citrus and more prominent peppery spice. Blue Moon, produced by Molson Coors, is widely available and typically sweeter on the palate.

Is Floating Free good for beginners? Absolutely — at 5.2% ABV with a smooth, approachable flavor profile, it is an excellent entry point for anyone exploring craft wheat beers or Belgian-inspired styles.

Where is Floating Free made? Floating Free is brewed by Phase Three Brewing Company in Lake Zurich, Illinois, a suburb northwest of Chicago known for a growing craft beer scene.

What foods pair well with Floating Free? Light seafood like grilled shrimp or fish tacos complement the citrus and spice notes. Fresh salads with goat cheese benefit from the beer's soft wheat body. Eggs Benedict or quiche align well at brunch, while mild soft cheeses like fresh mozzarella echo the creamy mouthfeel. Mussels steamed in wit-style beer create a classic Belgian pairing.

What sizes does Floating Free come in? Floating Free is available as a four-pack of cans, the standard format offered by Phase Three Brewing Company for this release.

Is Floating Free worth the price? Floating Free positions as a craft-priced witbier from an independent Illinois brewery, sitting above mass-market wits but delivering noticeably more nuanced spice and citrus character for the premium.

Why Floating Free?

In a market where most widely available witbiers come from large corporate breweries, Floating Free represents a small-batch take on the style with more attention to spice balance and ingredient restraint. Its 86-point BeerAdvocate score and strong Untappd community response across more than 1,200 ratings confirm that the execution resonates beyond Phase Three's local following. The 5.2% ABV keeps it firmly in session territory, making it practical for extended drinking without sacrificing flavor complexity. For anyone who enjoys the witbier category but wants to step beyond grocery-store options, this is a compelling Illinois-brewed alternative.