Shortfuse Middle of Everywhere 4Pk

Shortfuse Middle of Everywhere 4Pk is a 6.9% ABV American IPA from Short Fuse Brewing Company in Schiller Park, Illinois, sold in a four-pack. Brewed by the 2021 Great American Beer Festival® Brewery and Brewer of the Year, this hop-forward IPA bridges east and west coast styles with a triple-hop blend of Citra, Simcoe, and El Dorado.

Quick Facts: ABV: 6.9%  |  Origin: Schiller Park, Illinois  |  Style: American IPA  |  Brewery: Short Fuse Brewing Company

Production & Heritage

Short Fuse Brewing Company operates out of Schiller Park, Illinois, just outside Chicago, and earned the prestigious 2021 GABF® Brewery and Brewer of the Year distinction — one of craft brewing's highest honors. Middle of Everywhere is built on a triple-hop bill of Citra, Simcoe, and El Dorado, a combination chosen to deliver layered citrus and tropical character with balanced bitterness. The name itself nods to the beer's hybrid philosophy: neither fully hazy east coast nor aggressively bitter west coast, but a deliberate middle ground that draws from both traditions.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Bright bursts of orange and tangerine lead, followed by ripe stone fruit and a resinous pine undertone from the Simcoe. The hop aromatics are prominent but clean, without vegetal or grassy off-notes.

Taste: The entry is juicy with orange citrus and soft tangerine sweetness, while the mid-palate opens up to stone fruit — peach and apricot tones courtesy of the El Dorado hops. The malt backbone stays lean, letting the hops drive the flavor before a measured bitterness asserts itself toward the finish. At 6.9% ABV, the body carries enough weight to support the hop load without feeling heavy.

Finish: Medium in length with a clean, moderately bitter close that dries the palate without lingering harshness. A subtle citrus echo stays behind, inviting the next sip.

How to Drink Middle of Everywhere

Serve cold, ideally around 40–45°F, in a tulip glass or standard pint to maximize the aromatic hop profile. This IPA is built to drink straight from the pour, no garnish required. It works well in a Hop Shandy — mixed with fresh lemonade for a lighter warm-weather option. Try it as the base in a Citrus Radler, combined with grapefruit soda, where the El Dorado stone fruit notes add depth. It also holds up in a Michelada variation, where the hop bitterness plays well against lime juice and hot sauce.

Best For

• Backyard cookouts and summer grilling sessions where a bold but drinkable IPA fits the occasion
• Introducing friends to craft IPAs without overwhelming bitterness
• Building a Chicago-area craft beer tasting lineup
• Pairing with spicy or citrus-forward foods that match the hop character

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Middle of Everywhere taste like? Middle of Everywhere delivers juicy orange and tangerine citrus up front with underlying stone fruit flavors and a moderate bitter finish. It drinks smooth for its 6.9% ABV, with a slightly hazy appearance and a balanced hop profile that avoids excessive bitterness.

How does Middle of Everywhere compare to Revolution Anti-Hero IPA? Both are prominent Illinois-brewed IPAs, but Middle of Everywhere leans more tropical and citrus-forward thanks to its Citra, Simcoe, and El Dorado hop combination, while Revolution Anti-Hero tends toward a more classic west coast bitterness profile. Middle of Everywhere also sits slightly higher in ABV at 6.9% compared to Anti-Hero's 6.5%.

Is Middle of Everywhere good for IPA beginners? Yes — its balanced approach between hazy and bitter styles makes it approachable for drinkers exploring IPAs, while the 6.9% ABV and layered hop flavors still satisfy experienced hop enthusiasts.

Where is Middle of Everywhere made? Middle of Everywhere is brewed by Short Fuse Brewing Company at their facility located at 5000 N River Road in Schiller Park, Illinois, a suburb just northwest of Chicago.

What foods pair well with Middle of Everywhere? Grilled chicken tacos with mango salsa complement the citrus and stone fruit hop notes. Fish and chips benefit from the moderate bitterness cutting through the fried batter. Spicy Thai green curry mirrors the tropical aromatics while the carbonation refreshes the palate. Sharp cheddar cheese stands up to the hop intensity, and citrus-glazed pork ribs echo the tangerine character in the beer.

What sizes does Middle of Everywhere come in? Middle of Everywhere is available in a four-pack format, the standard package offering from Short Fuse Brewing Company for this expression.

Is Middle of Everywhere worth the price? Middle of Everywhere positions as a craft IPA from a GABF® award-winning brewery, placing it in the mid-range craft tier. The triple-hop bill and pedigree of the brewery behind it deliver strong value relative to comparable small-batch IPAs.

Why Middle of Everywhere?

Short Fuse Brewing Company earned the 2021 GABF® Brewery and Brewer of the Year — a distinction that carries real weight in American craft brewing — and Middle of Everywhere reflects that level of execution. The deliberate east-meets-west-coast approach is more than a marketing hook; the Citra, Simcoe, and El Dorado hop combination produces a genuinely layered flavor progression from citrus to stone fruit to clean bitterness. At 6.9% ABV, it hits the sweet spot between sessionable drinkability and the intensity IPA fans look for. For anyone seeking a well-constructed IPA with a proven brewery pedigree behind it, this four-pack delivers.