Pipeworks Blizzard King 4Pk

Pipeworks Blizzard King 4Pk is a Black IPA (Cascadian Dark Ale) from Pipeworks Brewing in Illinois, packaged as a four-pack at 5.5% ABV. Built on the hop profile of the brewery's popular Lizard King pale ale, Blizzard King amplifies the experience with rich, toasty dark malts, creating a roasty-meets-hoppy hybrid that holds a solid 3.7 out of 5 rating on Untappd across more than 700 reviews.

Quick Facts: ABV: 5.5%  |  Origin: Illinois, USA  |  Style: Black IPA / Cascadian Dark Ale  |  Brewery: Pipeworks Brewing  |  Format: 4-Pack

Production & Heritage

Pipeworks Brewing operates out of Chicago, Illinois, and has built a devoted following through inventive, hop-forward beers with striking label art. Blizzard King was conceived as a dark counterpart to Lizard King, the brewery's flagship pale ale — the team kept a similar Mosaic hop bill but layered in dark, roasted malts to push the beer into Black IPA territory. The result is a brew where the grain does as much work as the hops, delivering toasted and roasted malt character alongside the tropical and citrus notes Mosaic hops are known for.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Roasted coffee and dark chocolate hit first, followed by a wave of pine resin and citrus zest from the Mosaic hops. Subtle tropical fruit and toasted grain round out the nose.

Taste: The entry is malty and roasty, with pronounced espresso and bittersweet chocolate character. At mid-palate, Mosaic hops push through with blueberry-like fruit accents, pine, and bright citrus. A crisp, measured bitterness keeps the dark malts from becoming heavy, and the medium body carries everything in balance.

Finish: Clean and moderately dry, with lingering roasted grain and a flash of hop resin. The bitterness fades evenly, leaving a complex but approachable aftertaste that invites the next sip.

How to Drink Blizzard King

Pour cold into a tulip glass or shaker pint to let the roasted aromatics open up — this beer rewards a deliberate pour with a finger of dark, tan head. Blizzard King is primarily a drinking beer rather than a cocktail ingredient, but it works well in these applications: a Black Velvet float with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, where the roast and hop bitterness play against the sweetness; a beer cocktail with cold-brew coffee, doubling down on the espresso notes for a brunch-worthy drink; or a simple Michelada riff using tomato juice and hot sauce, where the dark malt backbone adds unusual depth.

Best For

• Hop lovers looking to explore the Black IPA style without extreme ABV
• Sharing a four-pack with friends during a backyard cookout or game day
• Pairing alongside smoked or grilled meats at a weekend barbecue
• Fans of Pipeworks Lizard King curious about its darker sibling

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Blizzard King taste like? Blizzard King delivers a roasty backbone of dark chocolate and espresso layered with Mosaic hop-driven citrus, pine, and blueberry-like fruit. It finishes crisp and moderately bitter with a medium body that keeps it highly drinkable.

How does Blizzard King compare to Pipeworks Lizard King? Lizard King is a pale ale that spotlights Mosaic hops in a lighter, more purely hop-forward package, while Blizzard King uses the same hop profile but adds dark roasted malts for coffee and chocolate character. The result is a heavier malt presence and deeper color, though the hop intensity remains comparable.

Is Blizzard King good for sipping? Yes — at 5.5% ABV it is sessionable enough for multiple pours, while the layered interplay of roast and hops rewards slower, more attentive drinking from a proper glass.

Where is Blizzard King made? Blizzard King is brewed by Pipeworks Brewing in Chicago, Illinois. Pipeworks is known for its creative, hop-centric lineup and distinctive hand-illustrated label art.

What foods pair well with Blizzard King? Smoked brisket or pulled pork — the roasted malts mirror charred, smoky meat. Sharp cheddar or aged gouda — the bitterness cuts through rich, fatty cheese. Dark chocolate brownies — complementing the beer's own cocoa notes. Spicy black bean tacos — Mosaic hop fruit and malt sweetness balance the heat. Grilled burgers with caramelized onions — the malty backbone stands up to savory, umami-rich toppings.

What sizes does Blizzard King come in? Blizzard King is commonly available in a four-pack format of standard cans.

Is Blizzard King worth the price? Blizzard King positions as a craft-priced specialty style from a well-regarded Chicago brewery; for drinkers who enjoy the roast-meets-hop tension of a Black IPA, the four-pack format represents solid value within the craft beer landscape.

Why Blizzard King?

Black IPAs occupy a narrow lane in craft beer — many lean too far into roast or let the hops disappear behind the dark malts. Blizzard King threads that needle by borrowing a proven Mosaic hop bill from one of Pipeworks' most popular releases and building a roasty malt structure around it. The 5.5% ABV keeps it accessible where many dark, hoppy beers creep into heavier territory. For anyone who has enjoyed Lizard King and wondered what it would taste like with an espresso edge, Blizzard King provides a direct, well-executed answer.