Ravinia Steep Ravine 4Pk

Ravinia Steep Ravine 4Pk is a 7.25% ABV American IPA from Ravinia Brewing Company, sold in a four-pack format. Built on a combination of Citra and Chinook hops with flaked corn in the grain bill, this Highland Park, Illinois brew has earned a 3.6 out of 5 rating on Untappd across more than 4,000 user reviews — a solid endorsement for a regional IPA with throwback character.

Quick Facts: ABV: 7.25%  |  Origin: Highland Park, Illinois, USA  |  Style: American IPA  |  Brewery: Ravinia Brewing Company

Production & Heritage

Ravinia Brewing Company operates out of Highland Park, a suburb on Chicago's North Shore. Steep Ravine takes its name from the rugged ravine trails that define the local landscape — and the beer matches that spirit with a hop-forward approach grounded in classic IPA tradition. The grain bill incorporates flaked corn alongside standard malts, lending a creamy body that tempers the assertive bitterness of Chinook hops while Citra hops drive the citrus aromatics. The result leans more toward a traditional West Coast–influenced IPA rather than the hazy, juice-bomb style that dominates today's craft shelves.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Bright citrus leads — orange peel and fresh grapefruit — followed by resinous pine from the Chinook hops. A faint grain sweetness rounds out the nose without competing with the hop intensity.

Taste: The entry is hop-forward with bold orange and grapefruit flavors that land cleanly on the palate. Mid-palate, the flaked corn makes its presence felt, introducing a smooth creaminess that softens the bite. Spicy, piney bitterness from the Chinook hops builds through the peak, keeping everything firmly in IPA territory.

Finish: Medium-length with lingering pine resin and a dry, balanced bitterness. The corn-derived smoothness carries through, leaving a clean and refreshing close rather than a harsh, astringent tail.

How to Drink Steep Ravine

Pour into a tulip glass or standard pint glass at around 45°F to let the hop aromatics open up fully. Steep Ravine is built to drink on its own, but it also holds up in hop-friendly mixed serves. A Hop Shandy — equal parts IPA and fresh lemonade — works well for warm-weather sessions, letting the grapefruit notes amplify. A Boilermaker paired with a shot of bourbon plays off the corn-grain sweetness in both drinks. And a Michelada riff using Steep Ravine instead of a lager adds hoppy complexity to the tomato-lime base.

Best For

• Backyard grilling sessions where bold hops stand up to charred meats
• Introducing friends to classic-style IPAs outside the hazy trend
• Supporting a Chicago-area independent craft brewery
• Stocking a mixed craft beer fridge with a reliable, balanced IPA

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Steep Ravine taste like? Steep Ravine delivers prominent orange and grapefruit hop flavors layered over spicy pine bitterness, with a creamy mouthfeel from flaked corn that keeps it smooth and balanced rather than aggressively bitter.

How does Steep Ravine compare to typical hazy IPAs? Unlike hazy or New England–style IPAs that emphasize juicy, low-bitterness profiles and turbid appearance, Steep Ravine is lighter in color with a cleaner body and more pronounced pine-resin bitterness — closer to a classic American IPA in structure and intent.

Is Steep Ravine good for sipping on its own? Absolutely — its 7.25% ABV is sturdy but not overwhelming, and the creamy corn-bill backbone makes it highly drinkable neat from a glass without needing food or mixers alongside.

Where is Steep Ravine made? Steep Ravine is brewed by Ravinia Brewing Company in Highland Park, Illinois, a community on Chicago's North Shore known for the Ravinia Festival music venue and surrounding natural landscapes.

What foods pair well with Steep Ravine? Grilled burgers or bratwurst match the hop bitterness with charred, fatty richness. Fish tacos with citrus slaw echo the grapefruit notes. Sharp cheddar cheese contrasts the piney hops. Spicy Buffalo wings find balance against the creamy malt body. Pepperoni pizza brings salt and fat to counter the bitterness.

What sizes does Steep Ravine come in? Steep Ravine is available as a four-pack, the standard retail format for this beer.

Is Steep Ravine worth the price? Steep Ravine positions as a mid-range craft IPA from an independent regional brewery, and its flaked-corn grain bill and dual-hop profile deliver a distinctive drinking experience that justifies its place among similarly priced four-pack IPAs.

Why Steep Ravine?

In a market saturated with hazy, turbid IPAs chasing fruit-juice sweetness, Steep Ravine goes the other direction — a clear, hop-bitter American IPA with genuine backbone. The flaked corn addition is the key differentiator, producing a creamy texture uncommon in the style and giving the beer a rounded, almost lager-like drinkability without sacrificing hop punch. With over 4,000 Untappd ratings holding steady at 3.6 out of 5, it has built a reliable following among drinkers who value balance over trend-chasing. For anyone looking to explore what a well-made Chicago-area craft brewery can do with a classic IPA framework, Steep Ravine is a credible starting point.