Spiteful IPA 6Pk

Spiteful IPA 6Pk is a citrus-driven American IPA from Spiteful Brewing in Chicago, Illinois, at 6.2% ABV and 60 IBU, sold in six-packs of 12 oz cans. Rated 89 (Very Good) on BeerAdvocate, it leans on a Citra and Amarillo hop bill that pushes bright tangerine and grapefruit to the forefront while maintaining a distinctly dry, West Coast–influenced finish.

Quick Facts: ABV: 6.2%  |  IBU: 60  |  Origin: Chicago, Illinois  |  Style: American IPA  |  Brewery: Spiteful Brewing

Production & Heritage

Spiteful Brewing operates out of the Bowmanville neighborhood on Chicago's Northside, where it has built a reputation for bold, hop-forward beers. Spiteful IPA is built around a dual-hop backbone of Citra and Amarillo — two varieties celebrated for their citrus and stone-fruit characteristics. Where many traditional American IPAs lean heavily on pine and resin from hops like Chinook or Columbus, Spiteful's choice of Citra and Amarillo shifts the profile squarely toward candied orange, tangerine, and tropical fruit, balanced by a light biscuit malt base that keeps the body from veering into sweetness.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Floral citrus leads immediately — bright tangerine and orange peel dominate, followed by subtle hints of peach and pineapple. A faint breadiness sits underneath, grounding the tropical hop aromatics.

Taste: The entry is juicy with candied orange and grapefruit, giving the initial impression of a New England–style IPA. The mid-palate pivots quickly, though, as moderate bitterness asserts itself alongside mild pine and a touch of dank resin. Light biscuit and caramel malt provide structure without sweetness, keeping the beer lean and drinkable at 6.2% ABV.

Finish: Dry and crisp with lingering citrus rind and a clean, moderate bitterness that clears the palate. There is no cloying sweetness — the finish encourages another sip rather than lingering on residual sugar.

How to Drink Spiteful IPA

Serve cold, ideally between 40–45°F, in a tulip glass or standard pint to let the citrus aromatics open up. It drinks well straight from the can for casual settings. For cocktail-curious drinkers: use it as the beer component in a Citrus Shandy with fresh lemonade, where the tangerine notes amplify the citrus base; in a Michelada, where the dry finish and moderate bitterness cut through the tomato and lime; or in a Beer Margarita, where Spiteful IPA's grapefruit and orange character extends the tequila and Cointreau profile naturally.

Best For

• Summer cookouts and backyard grilling sessions where a citrus-forward, sessionable IPA shines
• Introducing hop-curious drinkers to American IPAs without overwhelming bitterness
• Supporting local Chicago craft beer while exploring the city's brewing scene
• Pairing with spicy or smoky dishes that benefit from a dry, bitter counterpoint

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Spiteful IPA taste like? Spiteful IPA leads with bright tangerine, candied orange, and grapefruit supported by light biscuit malt, finishing dry and crisp with moderate bitterness at 60 IBU.

How does Spiteful IPA compare to Revolution Anti-Hero IPA? Both are Chicago-brewed American IPAs, but Anti-Hero leans more toward classic West Coast pine and floral bitterness with Centennial hops, while Spiteful IPA's Citra and Amarillo hop bill delivers a more citrus- and tropical-fruit-forward profile. Spiteful IPA is slightly lower in ABV (6.2% vs. Anti-Hero's 6.5%) and tends to finish drier.

Is Spiteful IPA good for beginners? Its moderate 60 IBU bitterness and approachable citrus character make it a solid entry point for anyone exploring American IPAs, though it is not as mild as a session IPA or wheat beer.

Where is Spiteful IPA made? Spiteful IPA is brewed by Spiteful Brewing in the Bowmanville neighborhood on the Northside of Chicago, Illinois.

What foods pair well with Spiteful IPA? Grilled chicken or fish tacos with mango salsa complement the citrus hop character; buffalo wings benefit from the dry finish cutting through the heat; sharp cheddar or pepper jack cheese mirrors the beer's assertive bitterness; and Thai green curry finds a refreshing counterbalance in the tangerine and grapefruit notes.

What sizes does Spiteful IPA come in? Spiteful IPA is commonly available in 6-packs of 12 oz cans, which is the standard retail format.

Is Spiteful IPA worth the price? Spiteful IPA positions as an affordable, locally brewed craft IPA that competes well against national craft brands in the same price tier, delivering a well-constructed hop profile without a premium markup.

Why Spiteful IPA?

What separates Spiteful IPA from the crowded American IPA field is its deliberate pairing of Citra and Amarillo hops — two varieties that together create a tangerine-and-stone-fruit intensity rarely matched at this price point. The 89-rated BeerAdvocate score reflects a beer that balances juicy citrus aromatics with a genuinely dry, crisp finish, avoiding the heavy sweetness that plagues many modern IPAs. As a Chicago neighborhood brewery product, it carries a sense of place that larger regional IPAs cannot replicate. For drinkers who want citrus-forward hop flavor without sacrificing drinkability, Spiteful IPA delivers cleanly at 6.2% ABV.