Riverlands Murky Waters 4Pk

Riverlands Murky Waters 4Pk is a hazy IPA four-pack brewed with Citra and Mosaic hops by Riverlands Brewing Company in St. Charles, Illinois. This expression takes a deliberate step away from the sweeter, lactose-laden "Chicago-style" hazy IPAs, opting instead for a drier, more drinkable profile inspired by East Coast iterations of the style. It holds a 4.1 out of 5 rating on Untappd across more than 3,200 reviews.

Quick Facts: Style: Hazy / New England IPA  |  Origin: St. Charles, Illinois  |  Hops: Citra & Mosaic  |  Brewery: Riverlands Brewing Company

Production & Heritage

Riverlands Brewing Company operates out of St. Charles, Illinois, a Fox River community west of Chicago. Murky Waters was developed as a direct response to what the brewery saw as overly sweet regional hazy IPAs — the recipe eliminates both lactose and maltodextrin sugars, relying on the raw juiciness of Citra and Mosaic hops to carry the flavor. The result is a beer that retains the turbid, full-bodied mouthfeel expected of the style while finishing noticeably cleaner and lighter on the palate than many Midwest counterparts.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Bright orange citrus and tropical mango greet the nose first, followed by layers of pineapple and mixed berry. Floral hop character weaves throughout, with subtle pine resin emerging as the beer warms.

Taste: The entry is immediately juicy — ripe mango and orange dominate the front palate with a soft, almost pillowy malt body. At mid-palate, grapefruit bitterness rises to balance the fruit sweetness, while pine and herbal hop notes add structure. The overall impression is rich and full-bodied, yet more restrained in residual sugar than many comparable hazies.

Finish: Medium in length with a dry, clean fade that encourages the next sip. Lingering grapefruit pith and a whisper of tropical fruit stay on the palate without becoming cloying.

How to Drink Murky Waters

Murky Waters is best poured cold into a tulip glass or standard pint to release its aromatic hop oils; avoid frosted glassware, which dulls the tropical aromatics. Its drier profile also makes it a strong candidate for food-forward pairings and casual drinking straight from the can. For a Michelada, the citrus-forward character complements lime juice and hot sauce without fighting for attention. In a Beer Margarita (Beergarita), Murky Waters adds hop-driven tropical depth that pairs naturally with tequila and fresh citrus. A simple Shandy with lemonade lets the mango and pineapple notes shine while keeping the drink light for warm-weather sessions.

Best For

• Bringing to a backyard cookout or tailgate with craft beer enthusiasts
• Introducing someone who finds typical hazy IPAs too sweet to a drier alternative
• Pairing with grilled or spicy food at a casual dinner
• Stocking a fridge for a weekend of watching sports or relaxing outdoors

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Murky Waters taste like? Murky Waters delivers bold tropical fruit — mango, pineapple, and orange — balanced by grapefruit bitterness and a clean, dry finish. It reads as juicy and full-bodied without the heavy sweetness found in many hazy IPAs.

How does Murky Waters compare to a typical Chicago-style hazy IPA? Most Chicago-area hazy IPAs use lactose or maltodextrin to create a thick, sweet body, while Murky Waters omits both, resulting in a noticeably drier and more drinkable beer. The hop character and turbid appearance are comparable, but the finish is leaner and less dessert-like.

Is Murky Waters good for someone new to hazy IPAs? Yes — its cleaner finish and balanced bitterness make it more approachable than heavier, sweeter versions of the style, while still delivering the signature juicy hop flavor hazy IPA fans expect.

Where is Murky Waters made? Murky Waters is brewed by Riverlands Brewing Company in St. Charles, Illinois, a city located about 35 miles west of downtown Chicago along the Fox River.

What foods pair well with Murky Waters? Grilled chicken tacos benefit from the beer's citrus hop character cutting through charred fat. Spicy Thai curry finds a cooling counterpoint in the tropical fruit notes. A classic cheeseburger with sharp cheddar works well against the dry, bitter finish. Fish and chips pair naturally with the grapefruit bitterness. Mango salsa and chips echo the beer's dominant fruit tones.

What sizes does Murky Waters come in? Murky Waters is available as a four-pack of cans, which is the standard retail format for this expression.

Is Murky Waters worth the price? Murky Waters positions in the mid-range craft IPA tier, and its 4.1 Untappd rating from thousands of reviews suggests strong value relative to comparable hazy IPAs in the Illinois market.

Why Murky Waters?

What separates Murky Waters from the crowded hazy IPA field is a deliberate production choice: stripping out both lactose and maltodextrin to create a drier, more sessionable version of the style without sacrificing hop intensity. The Citra and Mosaic hop combination delivers a proven tropical-citrus punch that has earned the beer consistent praise across more than 3,200 Untappd reviews. For drinkers who appreciate the haze and juiciness of a New England-style IPA but find themselves fatigued by sugar-heavy renditions, this is a focused, well-constructed alternative brewed just outside Chicago.