Scortched Earth Giant Killer 6Pk

Scorched Earth Giant Killer 6Pk is a 6.7% ABV American IPA from Algonquin, Illinois, sold as a six-pack of 12 oz cans. Brewed with a four-hop combination of Amarillo, Cascade, Mosaic, and Simcoe, Giant Killer earned an 88/100 on BeerAdvocate and carries an Untappd rating of 3.8 out of 5 across thousands of check-ins.

Quick Facts: ABV: 6.7%  |  IBU: 64  |  Origin: Algonquin, Illinois  |  Style: American IPA  |  Brewery: Scorched Earth Brewing Company

Production & Heritage

Scorched Earth Brewing Company operates out of Algonquin, Illinois, a craft brewery focused on hop-driven styles. Giant Killer is built on a four-hop bill — Amarillo, Cascade, Mosaic, and Simcoe — each contributing a distinct layer of citrus, tropical fruit, and resinous pine character. At 64 IBUs, the beer balances assertive hop bitterness against a smooth malt backbone, resulting in a profile that reads more approachable than many American IPAs in the same ABV range while still delivering full hop intensity.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Pineapple leads the nose immediately, followed by waves of citrus peel and a faint undercurrent of dank, resinous hops. The tropical character is dominant, with the Mosaic and Amarillo hops doing the heavy lifting.

Taste: The entry is bright and juicy — grapefruit and tropical fruit hit first, then give way to a moderate malt sweetness at mid-palate that keeps the bitterness in check. Cascade and Simcoe contribute a piney, slightly earthy backbone that emerges as the hop juiciness subsides. Despite 64 IBUs on paper, perceived bitterness stays smooth.

Finish: Medium-length with lingering citrus rind and a clean, dry close. A faint sticky hop resin coats the palate without turning astringent.

How to Drink Giant Killer

Pour it cold — around 40–45°F — into a tulip glass or standard pint to let the aromatic hops open up fully. Giant Killer drinks well straight from the can on a hot afternoon, but a proper pour reveals more of the pineapple and citrus nose. For a shandy-style riff, blend it with fresh grapefruit juice and a splash of simple syrup — the hop bitterness meshes naturally with tart citrus. A michelada build using Giant Killer instead of lager adds serious hop depth to the tomato-lime-hot sauce combination. It also works as the base for a beer cocktail with muddled jalapeño and lime, where the tropical hops amplify the heat.

Best For

• Stocking a cooler for backyard barbecues and cookouts
• Introducing a craft beer drinker to hop-forward American IPAs
• Pairing with bold, spicy foods at a casual dinner
• Supporting an Illinois craft brewery in a mixed six-pack lineup

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Giant Killer taste like? Giant Killer delivers a rush of tropical fruit and citrus — primarily pineapple and grapefruit — balanced by a smooth malt body and a clean, moderately bitter finish at 64 IBUs.

How does Giant Killer compare to Lagunitas IPA? Both are American IPAs in a similar ABV range, but Giant Killer leans more tropical and citrus-forward thanks to its Mosaic and Amarillo hops, while Lagunitas IPA tends toward a more classically piney, herbal West Coast hop character with slightly higher bitterness. Giant Killer's smoother body makes it a gentler entry point for drinkers who find traditional West Coast bitterness aggressive.

Is Giant Killer good for sipping on its own? Yes — the 6.7% ABV is sessionable enough for multiple pours, and the balanced bitterness-to-malt ratio makes it easy to drink without food alongside it.

Where is Giant Killer made? Giant Killer is brewed by Scorched Earth Brewing Company in Algonquin, Illinois, a suburb northwest of Chicago in the Fox River Valley region.

What foods pair well with Giant Killer? Spicy buffalo wings work well, as the hop bitterness cuts through the heat and fat. Grilled burgers with sharp cheddar complement the malt backbone. Fish tacos with mango salsa echo the beer's tropical notes. A charcuterie board featuring aged cheeses like Gruyère or Manchego matches the citrus bitterness. Barbecue pulled pork with a vinegar-based sauce provides acidity that aligns with the bright hop character.

What sizes does Giant Killer come in? This listing is a six-pack of 12 oz cans, the standard format for Giant Killer.

Is Giant Killer worth the price? Giant Killer positions as a craft IPA in the approachable mid-tier price range for a six-pack, and the BeerAdvocate score of 88 and well-constructed four-hop bill deliver quality that punches above many comparably priced regional IPAs.

Why Giant Killer?

The four-hop blend of Amarillo, Cascade, Mosaic, and Simcoe gives Giant Killer a layered complexity that many single- or double-hopped IPAs in this price bracket cannot match. An 88 on BeerAdvocate across verified reviews confirms it holds up under scrutiny beyond casual check-ins. The 6.7% ABV and controlled 64-IBU bitterness hit a sweet spot — enough punch to satisfy dedicated hop heads, enough restraint to remain drinkable across a full session. For an Illinois-brewed IPA, it stands as one of Scorched Earth's most recognized releases and a genuine example of what the state's craft scene produces at its best.