Shortfuse Loosey Juicy 4Pk

Shortfuse Loosey Juicy 4Pk is a hazy New England IPA from Short Fuse Brewing Company, sold as a 4-pack of cans at 6.4% ABV. Originally launched in 2017 as the brewery's first foray into the hazy style, the recipe has been refined over the years into a tropical hop showcase that has earned an Untappd rating of 3.7 out of 5 across nearly 14,000 user ratings.

Quick Facts: ABV: 6.4%  |  Origin: Schiller Park, Illinois  |  Style: New England / Hazy IPA  |  Brewery: Short Fuse Brewing Company

Production & Heritage

Short Fuse Brewing Company operates out of Schiller Park, Illinois, brewing on a 30-barrel brewhouse with matching 30-barrel fermenters — a setup that also includes two 30-barrel foeders, making it one of the few Illinois breweries with that capability. Loosey Juicy is built on a grain bill of flaked wheat and rolled oats, giving it the soft, pillowy body characteristic of the New England IPA style. It is then aggressively dry hopped with a blend of American and New Zealand hop varieties, which drive the beer's signature tropical and citrus character.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with bright citrus peel and ripe tropical fruit. Notes of papaya and stone fruit emerge as the beer warms, carrying a lightly resinous, dank undertone from the dry hopping.

Taste: On the palate, mango and stone fruit arrive first, quickly joined by papaya and a pronounced citrus-grapefruit juiciness at mid-palate. The flaked wheat and rolled oats deliver a smooth, medium body that keeps the hop intensity approachable and well-balanced.

Finish: The finish is crisp with a moderate, clean bitterness that lingers just long enough to reset the palate. Good mouthfeel carries through to the end without astringency or heaviness.

How to Drink Loosey Juicy

Pour into a tulip glass or wide-mouthed pint glass to open up the hop aromatics; serving it around 45–50°F brings out the full tropical spectrum. Straight from the can works well for casual drinking, though the aroma is notably more expressive in a glass. For a Shandy, mix half Loosey Juicy with fresh lemonade for a backyard refresher that amplifies the citrus. A Michelada-style build using Loosey Juicy, lime, and a light hot sauce plays off the beer's grapefruit bite. And for a Beer-a-Rita, shake the beer with fresh lime juice and a salt rim — the mango and papaya notes make it a natural fit.

Best For

• Introducing a friend to hazy IPAs without overwhelming bitterness
• Backyard grilling sessions where something juicy and sessionable fits the mood
• Building a craft beer sampler pack highlighting Illinois breweries
• Pairing with takeout tacos or spicy Asian food on a weeknight

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Loosey Juicy taste like? Loosey Juicy delivers bold mango, papaya, and grapefruit flavors with a soft, oat-driven mouthfeel and a crisp, moderately bitter finish. It reads more like tropical juice than a bitter IPA, making it highly approachable.

How does Loosey Juicy compare to Bell's Hopslam? Hopslam is a double IPA at 10% ABV with honey additions, making it significantly boozier and sweeter than Loosey Juicy's 6.4% ABV frame. Loosey Juicy focuses on hazy, tropical drinkability rather than the intense malt backbone and higher alcohol punch that define Hopslam.

Is Loosey Juicy good for beginners? Yes — at 6.4% ABV with restrained bitterness and a juice-forward profile, Loosey Juicy is one of the more accessible entries into the hazy IPA category. The soft body from flaked wheat and oats makes it easy drinking even for those new to IPAs.

Where is Loosey Juicy made? Loosey Juicy is brewed by Short Fuse Brewing Company at their facility on North River Road in Schiller Park, Illinois, a suburb northwest of Chicago. The brewery operates a 30-barrel brewhouse.

What foods pair well with Loosey Juicy? Thai green curry works well, as the tropical hop character complements coconut and lemongrass. Fish tacos with mango salsa mirror the beer's fruit-forward profile. Spicy buffalo wings benefit from the crisp, palate-cleansing finish. Grilled shrimp with citrus glaze echoes the grapefruit notes, and a mild brie or Havarti cheese provides a creamy contrast to the hop bitterness.

What sizes does Loosey Juicy come in? Loosey Juicy is commonly available in a 4-pack of cans, which is the standard retail format from Short Fuse Brewing Company.

Is Loosey Juicy worth the price? Loosey Juicy positions as a mid-range craft IPA, and its tropical intensity and smooth body deliver solid value within the crowded hazy IPA segment. For drinkers who prioritize juice-forward hop character without excessive ABV, it punches above its weight class.

Why Loosey Juicy?

Loosey Juicy stands as Short Fuse Brewing's longest-running hazy offering, tracing back to their first attempt at the style in 2017 and evolving through multiple recipe iterations since. The combination of American and New Zealand hops is distinctive — where many hazy IPAs lean exclusively on Citra and Mosaic, the NZ hop additions bring a unique papaya and stone fruit angle that sets Loosey Juicy apart from the pack. Nearly 14,000 Untappd ratings speak to steady consumer demand and widespread distribution across the Chicago area. At 6.4% ABV, it occupies the sweet spot between full-flavored and sessionable, making it one of the more versatile hazy IPAs coming out of Illinois.