Phase Three Pixel Variety 8Pk

Phase Three Pixel Variety 8Pk is an eight-can IPA variety pack (8 × 12 oz) from Phase Three Brewing Company featuring four distinct Citra-hopped expressions ranging from 4.5% to 8% ABV. Phase Three earned the #2 Small Brewery ranking worldwide in Craft Beer & Brewing's 2022 Reader's Choice Best In Beer awards, and this pack showcases the brewery's range across the Pixel Density lineup.

Quick Facts: ABV: 4.5%–8% (varies by style)  |  Origin: Lake Zurich, Illinois  |  Style: IPA Variety Pack  |  Brewery: Phase Three Brewing Company

Production & Heritage

Phase Three Brewing operates out of Lake Zurich, Illinois, and has rapidly built a national reputation among haze-forward IPA producers. The Pixel Variety 8Pk is unified by a single hop — hand-selected Citra — expressed across four different IPA formats: Pixel Density Lite (4.5% ABV Hazy IPA), Pixel Density (6.5% ABV Hazy IPA), DDH Double Pixel Density (8% ABV Double Hazy IPA), and West Coast Pixel Density (6.5% ABV West Coast IPA). The concept isolates Citra's versatility, allowing drinkers to experience how the same hop performs under varying grain bills, dry-hop rates, and fermentation profiles — from restrained session haze to a resinous West Coast interpretation.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Across the four styles, expect a progression from bright mandarin and passion fruit in the lighter expressions to dank pine and pithy grapefruit in the West Coast version. The DDH Double Pixel Density pushes mango and honeydew to the forefront with an amplified tropical intensity.

Taste: The hazy entries lead with juicy orange, pineapple, and peach supported by soft pale grain and a whisper of honey sweetness. The West Coast variation pivots toward lemon peel, resinous pine, and earthy bitterness with a leaner, crisper malt backbone. The double dry-hopped expression delivers the most concentrated tropical punch — mango, apricot, and pulpy grapefruit layered over a fuller body.

Finish: The hazy styles close with lingering citrus sweetness and a pillowy mouthfeel, while the West Coast bottoming out is drier and more bitter with pine resin trailing. The overall impression across the pack is less sweet and more hop-forward than many comparable hazy offerings.

How to Drink the Pixel Variety Pack

All four expressions are best served cold, around 40–45°F, poured into a tulip glass or Teku to concentrate hop aromatics. Start with the Pixel Density Lite to calibrate your palate on Citra's baseline character, then move through the 6.5% Hazy and West Coast versions, finishing with the DDH Double for maximum intensity. These are drinking beers — pour, enjoy, and let the hops speak.

Best For

• Hop enthusiasts exploring how a single varietal performs across IPA styles
• Hosting a casual beer tasting with a built-in flight progression
• Gifting a craft beer fan who follows top-ranked small breweries
• Stocking a fridge for a weekend gathering with something beyond standard macro lagers

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the Pixel Variety Pack taste like? The pack ranges from bright, juicy tropical fruit and citrus in the hazy expressions to resinous pine and earthy bitterness in the West Coast style, all unified by 100% Citra hops. Dominant flavors include mango, passion fruit, grapefruit, pineapple, and peach.

How does Phase Three compare to other top hazy IPA breweries? Phase Three ranked #2 Small Brewery worldwide in Craft Beer & Brewing's 2022 Reader's Choice and continued to place in subsequent years (#13 in 2023, #19 in 2025), putting it in the same conversation as the most sought-after haze producers in the country. The Pixel lineup's commitment to single-hop Citra expressions distinguishes it from breweries that rely on multi-hop blends.

Is the Pixel Variety Pack good for IPA beginners? Yes — the inclusion of Pixel Density Lite at 4.5% ABV provides an approachable entry point, while the range allows newer drinkers to discover which IPA intensity and style they prefer without committing to a full four-pack of any single beer.

Where is the Pixel Variety Pack made? It is brewed at Phase Three Brewing Company in Lake Zurich, Illinois, a suburb northwest of Chicago known for producing nationally recognized hazy IPAs and stouts.

What foods pair well with the Pixel Variety Pack? Grilled fish tacos with mango salsa complement the tropical notes of the hazy versions. Spicy Thai curry works against the juicy citrus sweetness. Sharp cheddar or aged gouda stands up to the hop bitterness of the West Coast style. Grilled chicken with a citrus glaze echoes the orange and grapefruit tones, and classic pub-style burgers pair well across the board.

What sizes does the Pixel Variety Pack come in? The standard format is an 8-pack of 12 oz cans containing two cans each of four Pixel Density variations.

Is the Pixel Variety Pack worth the price? Phase Three positions as a premium craft brewery with strong national demand, and this variety pack delivers four distinct IPA experiences in a single purchase — solid value for drinkers who want to explore the Pixel Density range without buying four separate releases.

Why the Pixel Variety Pack?

Single-hop variety packs are rare, and building one entirely around Citra — the most popular American hop — is a confident move that only works when the brewing is precise enough to reveal real differences between styles. Phase Three's consistent placement among the world's top-ranked small breweries (Craft Beer & Brewing Reader's Choice, 2022–2025) validates that precision. The four-beer progression from 4.5% session haze to 8% double dry-hopped IPA, with a West Coast detour in between, makes this pack both educational and immediately enjoyable. For anyone curious about what Citra can do in expert hands, this is the format that answers the question definitively.