Phase Three Trio of Stars 4Pk

Phase Three Trio of Stars 4Pk is a double dry-hopped hazy double IPA at 7.7% ABV, sold as a 4-pack of 16oz cans from Phase Three Brewing Company in Lake Zurich, Illinois. Scored 90 on BeerAdvocate and rated 4.2 out of 5 on Untappd with nearly 4,000 ratings, Trio of Stars has earned a strong reputation among haze enthusiasts for its pillowy texture and explosive tropical hop character.

Quick Facts: ABV: 7.7%  |  Origin: Lake Zurich, Illinois  |  Style: Double Dry-Hopped Hazy Double IPA  |  Brewery: Phase Three Brewing Company

Production & Heritage

Phase Three Brewing Company operates out of Lake Zurich, Illinois, and has quickly built a cult following in the Midwest craft beer scene for its hop-forward hazy IPAs and rich pastry stouts. Trio of Stars is double dry-hopped in the New England IPA tradition, employing the celebrated trio of Citra, Mosaic, and Galaxy hops — three of the most sought-after varieties in modern brewing. This hop combination delivers overlapping layers of tropical and stone fruit character while the brewing process preserves the soft, hazy mouthfeel that defines the style.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Bright tropical fruit leads immediately — stone fruit, mixed berries, and a subtle bubblegum sweetness rise from the glass. Fresh-squeezed citrus and resinous hop oils add depth beneath the fruit-forward top notes.

Taste: The entry is juicy and pulpy, with pineapple and mango arriving first before creamy papaya and ripe cantaloupe fill out the mid-palate. A soft malt backbone supports the hop intensity without competing, keeping the fruit expression front and center while a gentle brambleberry sweetness emerges toward the peak.

Finish: Soft, creamy, and medium in length, with lingering tropical fruit and a mild resinous hop bite that prevents the sweetness from cloying. The haze carries through to the end, leaving a pillowy, rounded impression.

How to Drink Trio of Stars

Pour into a tulip glass or stemless wine glass at 40–45°F to fully release the aromatic hop oils; drinking straight from the can mutes much of the experience. This beer is built to drink fresh and on its own — the double dry-hopped profile rewards simple, unadorned enjoyment. For food-adjacent sessions, it pairs naturally alongside spicy tacos where the tropical fruit tempers capsaicin heat, alongside a charcuterie board where the citrus cuts through fatty cured meats, or with fish tacos where the juicy hop character complements fresh lime and cilantro.

Best For

• Sharing with fellow hazy IPA enthusiasts during a craft beer tasting session
• Bringing to a summer cookout or backyard gathering as a standout contribution
• Gifting to a hop-obsessed friend who tracks limited craft releases
• Pairing with bold, spicy foods where tropical fruit flavors provide contrast

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Trio of Stars taste like? Trio of Stars delivers a juicy, tropical hop profile dominated by pineapple, mango, papaya, and cantaloupe, supported by a soft, pillowy mouthfeel and a creamy finish with gentle resinous hop bitterness.

How does Trio of Stars compare to Tree House Julius? Both are hazy, hop-forward double IPAs prized for their soft mouthfeel and tropical fruit intensity, but Trio of Stars leans into the specific interplay of Citra, Mosaic, and Galaxy hops, which tends to produce a slightly more stone-fruit-forward and resinous profile. Tree House Julius, brewed in Massachusetts, uses a different hop bill and is generally considered a benchmark of the New England IPA style.

Is Trio of Stars good for sipping on its own? Absolutely — the double dry-hopped haze, 7.7% ABV, and layered tropical fruit character make it ideal for slow, standalone drinking, especially when poured into a proper glass at cool cellar temperature.

Where is Trio of Stars made? Trio of Stars is brewed by Phase Three Brewing Company in Lake Zurich, Illinois, a suburb northwest of Chicago that has become a destination for craft beer fans in the region.

What foods pair well with Trio of Stars? Spicy Thai curry benefits from the tropical fruit sweetness cutting through the heat. Fish tacos with mango salsa echo the hop-driven fruit notes. A sharp cheddar or gruyère contrasts the soft, creamy body. Grilled shrimp with citrus glaze mirrors the pineapple and citrus character. A fresh fruit tart complements the berry and melon undertones.

What sizes does Trio of Stars come in? Trio of Stars is available as a 4-pack of 16oz cans, which is the standard format for Phase Three's hazy IPA releases.

Is Trio of Stars worth the price? Trio of Stars positions as a premium craft hazy double IPA, and its BeerAdvocate score of 90 along with strong community ratings on Untappd suggest it delivers at or above expectations for the price tier typical of limited-distribution, double dry-hopped hazies from respected independent breweries.

Why Trio of Stars?

The combination of Citra, Mosaic, and Galaxy hops is one of the most celebrated blends in modern craft brewing, and Phase Three executes it with a precision that has earned a 90-point BeerAdvocate score. The double dry-hop process amplifies hop aroma and flavor without adding harsh bitterness, resulting in a beer that reads as intensely fruity yet balanced. With nearly 4,000 Untappd ratings averaging 4.2 out of 5, Trio of Stars has proven its consistency across multiple batches — a meaningful indicator for a style where freshness and execution vary widely between breweries. For drinkers who value pillowy texture, explosive tropical fruit, and a clean, non-cloying finish in their hazy IPAs, this release from Phase Three stands among the stronger offerings in the Midwest craft landscape.