Pollyanna In The Cards 4Pk

Pollyanna In The Cards 4Pk is a double dry hopped pale ale from Pollyanna Brewing Company, brewed at 5.5% ABV and sold in a 4-pack. Distinguished by its combination of Citra and Cryo Loral hops alongside Norwegian Kveik yeast, this pale ale delivers a tropical, citrus-driven profile that has earned a solid 3.8 out of 5 rating on Untappd across nearly 5,000 reviews.

Quick Facts: ABV: 5.5%  |  IBU: 20  |  Origin: Lemont, Illinois  |  Style: Double Dry Hopped Pale Ale  |  Brewery: Pollyanna Brewing Company

Production & Heritage

Pollyanna Brewing Company operates out of Lemont, Illinois, with additional taproom locations in Roselle and St. Charles. In The Cards is double dry hopped with Citra — one of the most prized American hop varieties — and Cryo Loral, a concentrated lupulin hop product that contributes delicate floral and citrus character without adding harsh vegetal bitterness. The use of Kveik yeast is a notable production choice; this Norwegian farmhouse strain ferments at higher temperatures than standard ale yeasts, producing a clean fermentation profile with subtle fruity esters that complement the hop bill rather than compete with it.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Pine and citrus dominate the nose, primarily orange with undercurrents of lemon. A light tropical sweetness lingers behind the initial burst of hop aromatics.

Taste: The entry is slightly sweet and tangy, opening quickly into tropical pineapple and ripe citrus fruit. Mid-palate brings lemon and orange notes, while the back end introduces low grassy hop bitterness and a floral quality that adds dimension without sharpness.

Finish: Medium-length with a clean, slightly bitter floral close. The mouthfeel runs medium to thin with restrained carbonation, keeping the drinking experience smooth and easy.

Appearance

In The Cards pours a pale peach hue with a somewhat hazy body, consistent with the DDH process that leaves suspended hop particulate. A soapy white head forms on top and dissipates at a moderate pace, registering at an SRM of 3 — among the lightest on the color scale.

How to Drink In The Cards

This pale ale is best served cold, between 38–45°F, in a tulip glass or standard pint to concentrate the hop aromatics. Its moderate 5.5% ABV and low 20 IBU make it well-suited for extended sessions. Pour it straight from the can for a casual approach, or into proper glassware to fully appreciate the tropical nose. Pair it with a shandy variation by adding a splash of grapefruit juice. It also works in a hop-forward Michelada for a citrus-and-spice combination, or as the base of a simple beer cocktail blended with a measure of elderflower liqueur to amplify the floral Loral hop character.

Best For

• Backyard grilling sessions where a sessionable, hop-forward beer keeps pace with food
• Introducing IPA-curious drinkers to dry hopped beers at a gentler bitterness level
• Building a craft beer variety pack alongside heavier stouts and lagers
• Warm-weather afternoons where tropical flavor and low ABV are priorities

Frequently Asked Questions

What does In The Cards taste like? In The Cards leads with tropical pineapple, orange, and lemon flavors, backed by a slightly sweet and tangy character that finishes with gentle floral hop bitterness. The overall impression is bright, citrus-forward, and clean.

How does In The Cards compare to Pseudo Sue by Toppling Goliath? Both beers occupy a similar space as approachable, hop-forward pale ales with prominent Citra hop character and restrained bitterness. In The Cards distinguishes itself through the addition of Cryo Loral hops and Kveik yeast fermentation, which contribute a more floral dimension and a slightly different ester profile than Pseudo Sue's straightforward Citra showcase.

Is In The Cards good for beginners? Yes — at 5.5% ABV and just 20 IBUs, it sits on the gentler end of the hop-forward spectrum, making it an accessible entry point for drinkers exploring dry hopped beers without the aggressive bitterness of a double IPA.

Where is In The Cards made? In The Cards is brewed by Pollyanna Brewing Company, headquartered in Lemont, Illinois, a suburb southwest of Chicago. Pollyanna also operates brewery taprooms in Roselle and St. Charles, Illinois.

What foods pair well with In The Cards? Grilled shrimp tacos benefit from the beer's citrus notes mirroring lime and cilantro. A fresh goat cheese salad complements the tangy, slightly sweet body. Fish and chips work well because the low bitterness cuts through fried batter. Thai green curry matches the tropical hop character, and a margherita pizza lets the floral and citrus notes take center stage.

What sizes does In The Cards come in? In The Cards is available in a standard 4-pack of cans from Pollyanna Brewing Company.

Is In The Cards worth the price? In The Cards positions as a craft pale ale at a standard Midwest craft brewery price tier. For a double dry hopped beer using premium hop products like Cryo Loral, it represents solid value within the competitive Chicago-area craft market.

Why In The Cards?

The combination of Citra hops, Cryo Loral, and Kveik yeast creates a layered pale ale that punches above its weight class at 5.5% ABV. Kveik fermentation is still relatively uncommon in the American craft landscape, and it gives In The Cards a cleaner, more defined hop expression than many comparable pale ales that rely on standard ale yeast strains. With nearly 5,000 Untappd reviews and a 3.8 rating, the beer has built a consistent following among Illinois craft drinkers. For a sessionable DDH pale ale with genuine complexity, In The Cards delivers tropical and floral character without relying on high alcohol or excessive bitterness to make an impression.