Solemn Oath Small Wave City Club 4Pk

Solemn Oath Small Wave City Club 4Pk is a double dry-hopped India Pale Ale brewed in Naperville, Illinois, at 6.5% ABV. Earning a 90-point score on BeerAdvocate, this DDH IPA showcases a saturated combination of Mosaic and Citra hops that delivers an intensely juicy, citrus-forward drinking experience rare at its price tier.

Quick Facts: ABV: 6.5%  |  Origin: Naperville, Illinois, USA  |  Style: Double Dry-Hopped IPA  |  Brewery: Solemn Oath Brewery

Production & Heritage

Solemn Oath Brewery operates out of Naperville, Illinois, a western suburb of Chicago, where it has built a reputation for hop-forward ales with distinctive character. Small Wave City Club is brewed with hand-selected malts, locally cultivated yeast, and fresh, purified Lake Michigan water — a clean canvas that lets the hop bill take center stage. The double dry-hopping process with Mosaic and Citra adds layers of aromatic intensity without contributing harsh bitterness, a hallmark of modern IPA technique that separates this from single-hopped or conventionally hopped alternatives in the style.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Extremely fresh and floral on the nose, opening with bright orange zest and ripe tangerine. A pronounced juiciness follows, layered with tropical undertones from the Mosaic hops that suggest stone fruit and citrus blossom.

Taste: The palate lands soft and juicy, with immediate tangerine and citrus zest flooding the entry. At mid-palate, blueberry and tropical fruit notes emerge, adding complexity to the citrus core. The malt backbone is restrained, providing just enough structure to keep the hop saturation balanced without turning thin.

Finish: Medium in length with a clean, zesty close that avoids lingering bitterness. A gentle floral echo and light resinous quality keep the finish interesting and invite the next sip.

How to Drink Small Wave City Club

This DDH IPA is best enjoyed fresh and cold — pour it into a tulip glass or drink it straight from the can to capture the full aromatic intensity. Its juicy, low-bitterness profile also makes it a surprisingly versatile cocktail ingredient. A Hop Shandy (mixed with fresh lemonade) amplifies its citrus character into warm-weather refreshment. A Michelada-style build with hot sauce and lime benefits from the beer's tropical juice notes as a counterbalance. A Beer-mosa pairing Small Wave with fresh-squeezed orange juice works because the tangerine notes already present in the IPA create seamless integration.

Best For

• Stocking the fridge for a summer cookout with craft beer fans
• Introducing hop-curious friends to modern DDH IPA style
• Pairing with spicy or citrus-forward dishes at a dinner gathering
• Gifting to an IPA enthusiast exploring Illinois craft breweries

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Small Wave City Club taste like? Small Wave City Club delivers a juicy, citrus-driven profile dominated by tangerine, orange zest, and blueberry, with a soft, low-bitterness finish characteristic of modern double dry-hopped IPAs.

How does Small Wave City Club compare to Voodoo Ranger Juice Force? Both are hop-forward, juice-leaning IPAs, but Juice Force is notably higher in ABV (9.5% vs. 6.5%), making it a much heavier pour. Small Wave City Club offers a more sessionable, nuanced citrus and floral character thanks to its focused Mosaic and Citra hop bill, while Juice Force leans toward brute tropical intensity.

Is Small Wave City Club good for IPA beginners? Yes — its 6.5% ABV is approachable, and the double dry-hopping method emphasizes juicy fruit flavors over aggressive bitterness, making it an excellent gateway into the DDH IPA category.

Where is Small Wave City Club made? Small Wave City Club is brewed at Solemn Oath Brewery in Naperville, Illinois, located in the western suburbs of Chicago. The brewery uses purified Lake Michigan water as the foundation for its recipes.

What foods pair well with Small Wave City Club? Grilled fish tacos with mango salsa complement the tangerine and tropical notes. Spicy Thai curry benefits from the beer's citrus juiciness as a palate cleanser. Sharp cheddar or pepper jack cheese mirrors the hop intensity without overwhelming it. A citrus-dressed arugula salad echoes the zesty aromatics, and barbecue chicken gains brightness from the IPA's orange and floral character.

What sizes does Small Wave City Club come in? Small Wave City Club is available in a standard 4-pack of cans, which is the primary retail format for this expression.

Is Small Wave City Club worth the price? Small Wave City Club positions as a mid-tier craft IPA that punches above its weight — a 90-point BeerAdvocate score and premium double dry-hopping with sought-after Mosaic and Citra hops deliver strong value relative to similarly priced DDH IPAs in the market.

Why Small Wave City Club?

What earns Small Wave City Club its place among competitive DDH IPAs is the focused simplicity of its hop bill — Mosaic and Citra are two of the most celebrated modern hop varieties, and Solemn Oath lets them work without distraction. The 90-point BeerAdvocate score confirms that execution matches ambition here. At 6.5% ABV, it occupies a sweet spot between full-flavored intensity and everyday drinkability that many higher-ABV competitors sacrifice. Brewed with locally cultivated yeast and Lake Michigan water, it carries a sense of Midwestern provenance that connects drinker to place in a way mass-produced IPAs simply cannot.