Pollyanna Lexical Cap 4Pk

Pollyanna Lexical Gap 4-Pack is a West Coast IPA from Pollyanna Brewing Company in Lemont, Illinois, packaged in four 16 oz cans at 7.3% ABV. This hop-driven ale earned an 89 on BeerAdvocate across 133 ratings and leans on a four-hop combination of Citra, Centennial, Simcoe, and Columbus to deliver an assertive 85 IBU bitterness balanced by a clean, light malt backbone.

Quick Facts: ABV: 7.3%  |  IBU: 85  |  Origin: Lemont, Illinois, USA  |  Style: West Coast IPA  |  Brewery: Pollyanna Brewing Company

Production & Heritage

Pollyanna Brewing Company opened in September 2014 in Lemont, a suburb southwest of Chicago. The brewery runs a steam-heated, oversized 15-barrel mash/lauter tun and boil kettle/whirlpool system, fermenting in 30-barrel vessels that give the team flexibility to produce full-bodied, hop-intensive beers. Lexical Gap uses massive additions of Citra, Centennial, Simcoe, and Columbus hops — a combination that spans the spectrum from tropical fruit to deep pine resin. The beer registers an SRM of 6, yielding a pale golden color characteristic of the traditional West Coast style, where clarity and hop expression take priority over haze.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Grapefruit and tropical citrus arrive first, driven by Citra and Centennial, followed by a wave of resinous pine and subtle dank earthiness from the Simcoe and Columbus hops. A faint cracker-like malt sweetness sits underneath without competing.

Taste: The palate opens with bright citrus peel and ripe mango before building into a firm, assertive bitterness at mid-palate. Pine resin and a touch of herbal spice emerge as the 85 IBU backbone asserts itself, while the malt presence stays lean and dry, letting the hops remain the focal point throughout.

Finish: Dry and lasting, with lingering grapefruit pith and piney bitterness that encourage the next sip. There is no residual sweetness — the finish is clean and crisp, staying true to the West Coast IPA ethos.

How to Drink Lexical Gap

Pour into a tulip glass or IPA glass at around 45°F to let the hop aromatics open up; drinking straight from the can mutes the complex nose. For cocktail-adjacent options, Lexical Gap works in a Hop Shandy blended with fresh lemonade to temper the bitterness on hot days, a Michelada where the citrus hop profile meshes naturally with lime and hot sauce, or a Beer-a-Rita combined with fresh lime juice and a salted rim for a hop-forward twist on the classic.

Best For

• West Coast IPA purists seeking a classic, non-hazy hop experience
• Backyard grilling sessions where bold beer stands up to charred meats
• Introducing a friend to the Chicago-area craft scene beyond downtown breweries
• Building a hop-forward tasting flight alongside other single-hop or multi-hop IPAs

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Lexical Gap taste like? Lexical Gap is a hop-forward West Coast IPA dominated by citrus, tropical fruit, and pine resin flavors with a firm, dry bitterness at 85 IBU. The malt profile is intentionally restrained, keeping the focus squarely on the four-hop blend of Citra, Centennial, Simcoe, and Columbus.

How does Lexical Gap compare to Lagunitas IPA? Lagunitas IPA sits at roughly 6.2% ABV and around 50 IBU, making Lexical Gap notably stronger at 7.3% ABV and significantly more bitter at 85 IBU. Lexical Gap also uses a broader hop bill — four varietals versus Lagunitas' more Cascade-centric profile — which gives it a wider range of tropical and resinous character.

Is Lexical Gap good for sipping on its own? Yes — this is a straightforward, well-structured West Coast IPA designed to be enjoyed on its own, ideally poured into a glass at around 45°F so the hop aromatics can fully develop. Its dry finish and clean bitterness keep it refreshing despite the 7.3% ABV.

Where is Lexical Gap made? Lexical Gap is brewed by Pollyanna Brewing Company in Lemont, Illinois, a village located about 30 miles southwest of downtown Chicago. The brewery has operated there since its founding in September 2014.

What foods pair well with Lexical Gap? Grilled burgers or bratwurst match the bold hop bitterness with smoky, savory fat. Spicy fish tacos complement the citrus-forward hop profile. Sharp cheddar or aged Gouda stands up to the assertive IBU level. Thai green curry plays off the herbal and tropical notes in the hop bill. Pepperoni pizza provides salty richness that contrasts the dry, bitter finish.

What sizes does Lexical Gap come in? Lexical Gap is available in a 4-pack of 16 oz cans, which is the standard format for this release.

Is Lexical Gap worth the price? Lexical Gap positions as a mid-range craft IPA, and its BeerAdvocate score of 89 places it above average within a crowded West Coast IPA field. The four-hop bill and 7.3% ABV deliver solid complexity and strength for the category, making it a competitive value among craft 4-packs.

Why Lexical Gap?

In a market saturated with hazy, soft-palate IPAs, Lexical Gap is an unapologetic throwback to the West Coast school — clear, bitter, and hop-loud. The combination of Citra, Centennial, Simcoe, and Columbus creates a layered hop character that moves from tropical fruit through pine resin without leaning on lactose, oats, or adjuncts for body. Pollyanna's 15-barrel brewhouse and 30-barrel fermenters give the production team room to push hop additions aggressively while maintaining consistency across batches. An 89 on BeerAdvocate from over 130 ratings confirms that the execution lands where the ambition aims.