Riverlands Coastal Daze 4Pk

Riverlands Coastal Daze 4Pk is a New England-style Double IPA from Riverlands Brewing Company in St. Charles, Illinois, clocking in at 8% ABV. This hazy DIPA distinguishes itself by deliberately breaking from the sweeter, heavier "Chicago Style" hazy IPA tradition—dropping maltodextrin and lactose entirely in favor of a drier, more drinkable profile inspired by East Coast brewing conventions. It holds a solid 4.06 rating on Untappd across nearly 500 check-ins.

Quick Facts: ABV: 8%  |  Origin: St. Charles, Illinois, USA  |  Style: New England Double IPA  |  Brewery: Riverlands Brewing Company

Production & Heritage

Riverlands Brewing Company operates out of St. Charles, Illinois, a suburb west of Chicago along the Fox River. Coastal Daze was born from the brewery's frustration with the prevailing sweetness in Midwest hazy IPAs—beers that leaned heavily on maltodextrin and, in many cases, lactose to achieve body and perceived juiciness. By stripping out those residual sugar sources, Riverlands engineered a Double IPA that retains the hallmark haze and tropical hop character of the style while finishing noticeably lighter on the palate. The hop bill centers on Citra and Vic Secret, a combination that tilts heavily toward tropical fruit and stone fruit aromatics with a subtle dank undertone from the Vic Secret.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Ripe mango and passionfruit dominate the nose immediately, followed by softer layers of peach and a faint resinous pine quality. The Vic Secret hops contribute a subtle herbal-floral edge underneath the tropical wave.

Taste: The entry is juicy with bright citrus and tropical fruit—pineapple, orange pith, and stone fruit—but the mid-palate shifts drier than most New England DIPAs, letting the hop bitterness assert itself without being harsh. There is no cloying sweetness or milky lactose body; the malt backbone is restrained, serving as a clean canvas for the hop expression.

Finish: Medium in length with a gentle, dry bitterness and lingering grapefruit rind. The finish stays clean, encouraging the next sip rather than weighing down the palate.

How to Drink Coastal Daze

Pour into a tulip glass or stemless wine glass at around 40–45°F to let the aromatics open fully; drinking straight from the can mutes the complex hop nose. This is a beer designed to drink fresh—check the canning date and prioritize recently packaged cans for maximum hop vibrancy. Given its drier profile, Coastal Daze works well alongside food where sweeter hazies might overwhelm. It pairs naturally with grilled fish tacos, where the citrus hop notes echo a fresh lime squeeze, or alongside Thai green curry, where the dry finish cleanses the palate between bites.

Best For

• IPA enthusiasts seeking a less sweet, East Coast-leaning hazy Double IPA
• Sharing with friends during backyard cookouts and warm-weather gatherings
• Introducing drinkers who find traditional Midwest hazies too heavy to the lighter side of the style
• Pairing with bold, spicy food where a dry-finishing DIPA shines

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Coastal Daze taste like? Coastal Daze delivers intense tropical fruit—mango, passionfruit, and pineapple—from its Citra and Vic Secret hop bill, but finishes drier and lighter than most New England Double IPAs. The absence of lactose and maltodextrin gives it a cleaner, crisper character than many beers in the same category.

How does Coastal Daze compare to traditional Chicago-style hazy IPAs? Riverlands intentionally moved away from the "Chicago Style" approach, which typically relies on maltodextrin and sometimes lactose for a thicker, sweeter body. Coastal Daze uses neither additive, resulting in a DIPA that is noticeably drier and less heavy while retaining the juicy hop-forward profile of the New England style.

Is Coastal Daze good for sipping on its own? Absolutely—the 8% ABV is well-integrated and the drier finish makes it highly drinkable for a Double IPA. Pouring into a glass at cool (not ice-cold) temperature highlights the aromatic complexity of the Citra and Vic Secret hops.

Where is Coastal Daze made? Coastal Daze is brewed by Riverlands Brewing Company in St. Charles, Illinois, a city located about 40 miles west of downtown Chicago along the Fox River.

What foods pair well with Coastal Daze? Grilled fish tacos complement the citrus hop notes; Thai green curry benefits from the dry, palate-cleansing finish; sharp cheddar or aged Gouda echoes the beer's fruit intensity; a smash burger with pickles and American cheese provides a classic counterpoint to the tropical hops; and ceviche mirrors the bright acidity and citrus aromatics.

What sizes does Coastal Daze come in? Coastal Daze is sold as a 4-pack of cans, the standard retail format for this release from Riverlands Brewing.

Is Coastal Daze worth the price? Coastal Daze positions within the craft Double IPA segment, where 4-packs from independent regional breweries typically represent solid value compared to nationally hyped brands. Its distinctive drier profile and quality hop bill justify its place in the category for anyone seeking a less sweet interpretation of the style.

Why Coastal Daze?

Coastal Daze exists because Riverlands Brewing made a deliberate, opinionated choice: strip out the sweetness that defines much of the Midwest hazy IPA scene and build something leaner without sacrificing the juicy, aromatic hop character that makes the style appealing. The Citra and Vic Secret combination delivers serious tropical punch, but the dry finish keeps the beer nimble at 8% ABV. With a 4.06 Untappd rating from nearly 500 check-ins, it has earned a loyal following among drinkers who want a hazy Double IPA that doesn't drink like dessert. For anyone in the Chicago-area craft scene—or anyone who can get their hands on it—Coastal Daze represents a thoughtful counterpoint to the prevailing local trend.