Saint Errant Foolish Notion 4Pk

Saint Errant Foolish Notion 4Pk is a double dry hopped IPA brewed with Citra and Nectaron hops, available in a four-pack from Saint Errant Brewing in Evanston, Illinois. This small-batch release reflects the brewery's philosophy of pushing boundaries within clean fermentation, using two of the most sought-after hop varieties in modern craft brewing.

Quick Facts: Style: Double Dry Hopped IPA  |  Origin: Evanston, Illinois, USA  |  Hops: Citra & Nectaron  |  Brewery: Saint Errant Brewing

Production & Heritage

Saint Errant Brewing spent eight years operating as a gypsy brewery—contract-brewing at various facilities across the region—before establishing a permanent home at 2000 Dempster Street in Evanston, Illinois. The brewery built its reputation on mixed fermentation beers but has increasingly explored clean fermentation IPAs like Foolish Notion. As a nanobrewery, Saint Errant produces in deliberately small batches, and Foolish Notion showcases a double dry hopping process that layers Citra hops—prized for their citrus and tropical punch—alongside Nectaron, a New Zealand hop variety known for contributing stone fruit and pineapple character.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Citra and Nectaron hops are well documented for their intensely aromatic qualities. Expect an immediate wave of tropical fruit—mango, passion fruit, and ripe pineapple—followed by undercurrents of citrus zest and stone fruit from the Nectaron addition.

Taste: The double dry hopping technique amplifies hop flavor without adding excessive bitterness. The entry should read juicy and fruit-forward, with Citra driving grapefruit and tangerine notes at the mid-palate while Nectaron contributes a softer, nectarine-like sweetness. The overall impression leans tropical and lush rather than piney or resinous.

Finish: A DDH IPA of this hop composition typically finishes with moderate bitterness and lingering tropical fruit. The finish should be clean and dry, allowing the hop oils to fade gradually rather than clinging to the palate.

How to Drink Foolish Notion

Pour cold into a tulip glass or wide-mouth pint to fully capture the aromatic intensity of the double dry hop. Drinking straight from the can works in casual settings but sacrifices much of the hop bouquet. As a DDH IPA, Foolish Notion is best enjoyed fresh—hop aromatics diminish over time, so don't cellar it.

Best For

• Sharing with fellow hop enthusiasts who appreciate small-batch craft releases
• Weekend cookouts where bold, fruit-forward flavors complement grilled foods
• Introducing friends to the differences between single and double dry hopped IPAs
• Supporting independent, locally brewed Illinois craft beer

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Foolish Notion taste like? Foolish Notion is a double dry hopped IPA driven by Citra and Nectaron hops, delivering bold tropical fruit, citrus, and stone fruit flavors with restrained bitterness and a clean, dry finish.

How does Foolish Notion compare to other Chicago-area DDH IPAs? Saint Errant operates as a nanobrewery, so Foolish Notion is produced in significantly smaller batches than DDH IPAs from larger regional breweries like Half Acre or Revolution, and its specific Citra-Nectaron hop combination gives it a distinctly tropical, New Zealand-influenced hop profile.

Is Foolish Notion good for IPA beginners? The double dry hopping process emphasizes juicy hop flavor over sharp bitterness, which can make it more approachable than traditionally bitter West Coast IPAs, though its hop intensity may still be assertive for newcomers to the style.

Where is Foolish Notion made? Foolish Notion is brewed by Saint Errant Brewing at their permanent location at 2000 Dempster Street in Evanston, Illinois, a suburb just north of Chicago.

What foods pair well with Foolish Notion? Spicy Thai dishes like pad thai or green curry work well, as the tropical hop character tempers heat. Fish tacos benefit from the citrus-forward profile. Sharp cheddar cheese provides a savory counterpoint to the fruit-driven hops. Grilled chicken or pork with fruit-based salsas mirror the beer's tropical notes. Classic cheeseburgers hold up to the hop intensity without being overwhelmed.

What sizes does Foolish Notion come in? Foolish Notion is available as a four-pack of cans from Saint Errant Brewing.

Is Foolish Notion worth the price? As a nanobrewery DDH IPA using premium hop varieties like Nectaron (a relatively expensive New Zealand cultivar), Foolish Notion positions in the small-batch craft tier where pricing reflects limited production volume and high-quality raw ingredients.

Why Foolish Notion?

What distinguishes Foolish Notion is the specific pairing of Citra with Nectaron—a combination that bridges American citrus-bomb IPA character with the softer, stone-fruit elegance of New Zealand hop breeding. Saint Errant's nanobrewery scale means each batch receives hands-on attention that larger production facilities simply cannot replicate. The brewery's years of experience in mixed fermentation have sharpened their understanding of yeast and hop interaction, and that expertise carries into their clean-fermentation IPA program. For drinkers seeking a DDH IPA with a distinctive hop bill from an independent Illinois brewery, Foolish Notion delivers genuine small-batch character.