Tighthead Bears Choice 4Pk

Tighthead Bear's Choice 4Pk is a 4-pack of American IPA from Tighthead Brewing Company in Mundelein, Illinois, brewed at 6.5% ABV. Built around Mosaic hops and a complex seven-malt grain bill, Bear's Choice has earned a 3.8 out of 5 rating on Untappd from over 10,000 reviews — a strong consensus for a regional craft IPA.

Quick Facts: ABV: 6.5%  |  IBU: 75  |  Origin: Mundelein, Illinois  |  Style: American IPA  |  Brewery: Tighthead Brewing Company

Production & Heritage

Tighthead Brewing Company operates out of Mundelein, Illinois, a northern suburb of Chicago, and has built its reputation on hop-forward ales. Bear's Choice relies on a grain bill of seven distinct malts — including aromatic, melanoidin, and carastan varieties — which together provide a deeper, more layered backbone than a typical single-malt IPA. Mosaic hops are added at six different points during the brewing process, from the kettle through dry-hopping, allowing the full aromatic and flavor spectrum of the varietal to emerge across tropical, citrus, and resinous notes.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Mosaic hops announce themselves immediately with ripe mango and tangerine peel, followed by a piney, resinous undercurrent. Beneath the hop aromatics, a subtle bready warmth from the multi-malt base adds complexity.

Taste: The entry is bright with tropical fruit — mango and citrus — that quickly meets a firm, bitter hop backbone registering at 75 IBU. Mid-palate, grainy malt sweetness surfaces alongside lemon and lime rind, balanced by floral and orange pith notes. The seven-malt bill gives this IPA a fuller body and a slightly chewy texture that prevents the bitterness from becoming one-dimensional.

Finish: Pine resin and lingering citrus bitterness carry through a moderately long finish. The malt backbone rounds out the close, leaving a clean but assertive aftertaste that invites the next sip.

How to Drink Bear's Choice

Bear's Choice drinks well straight from the glass at a cool 45–50°F, where the Mosaic hop aromatics are most expressive. A tulip glass or standard shaker pint both work, though the tulip will concentrate the tropical nose.

• IPA & Cheddar Pairing: The hop bitterness cuts through aged sharp cheddar, making this a natural match for a casual cheese board.
• Michelada Variation: Swap in Bear's Choice for a hop-forward twist on the classic — the mango and citrus character complements lime juice and hot sauce.
• Beer Cocktail Float: Pour over a scoop of mango sorbet for a dessert pairing that echoes the tropical hop profile.

Best For

• Stocking a weekend cooler with a hop-forward session option
• Introducing friends to well-balanced Mosaic hop character
• Pairing alongside grilled burgers, tacos, or spicy wings
• Supporting a local Illinois craft brewery

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Bear's Choice taste like? Bear's Choice leads with tropical mango and tangerine from Mosaic hops, balanced by a substantial malty backbone built from seven grain varieties and a firm 75 IBU bitterness. Pine resin and citrus pith round out the profile.

How does Bear's Choice compare to Sierra Nevada Celebration Ale? Both are hop-forward ales with resinous pine character, but Bear's Choice leans more tropical and citrus-forward due to its Mosaic hop focus, while Celebration Ale uses Cascade, Centennial, and Chinook for a more classic piney, floral American hop signature. Bear's Choice also carries a richer malt body from its seven-malt grain bill.

Is Bear's Choice good for sipping on its own? Yes — the balance between Mosaic hop bitterness and the layered malt sweetness makes it approachable enough to enjoy on its own, especially for drinkers who appreciate a medium-bodied IPA with depth.

Where is Bear's Choice made? Bear's Choice is brewed by Tighthead Brewing Company in Mundelein, Illinois, located in Chicago's northern suburbs. The brewery focuses on hop-driven ales and has developed a loyal regional following.

What foods pair well with Bear's Choice? Grilled chicken or pork tacos with mango salsa echo the tropical hop notes. Sharp cheddar or pepper jack cheese stands up to the bitterness. Spicy Thai dishes work well, as the malt sweetness tempers the heat. Fish and chips benefit from the citrus and pine character cutting through the fried batter.

What sizes does Bear's Choice come in? Bear's Choice is available in a 4-pack format, which is the standard retail configuration for this beer.

Is Bear's Choice worth the price? Bear's Choice positions as a craft IPA from an independent regional brewery, placing it in the mid-tier price range for American IPAs. The seven-malt grain bill and six-stage hop additions reflect a more labor-intensive brewing process than many IPAs at a comparable price point, which registers in the beer's complexity.

Why Bear's Choice?

What separates Bear's Choice from the crowded American IPA field is the deliberate complexity of its build. A seven-malt grain bill is unusual for the style, where many breweries rely on a simple pale malt base and let hops do all the talking. Here, the malt contributes real structure — bready, slightly caramel, texturally chewy — that gives the Mosaic hops a richer canvas. Adding those hops at six distinct stages of the process creates a layered hop experience rather than a single-note blast, and the result is an IPA with 75 IBU of bitterness that never feels harsh. With over 10,000 Untappd ratings averaging 3.8 out of 5, drinkers have consistently validated what the recipe promises: balance, depth, and drinkability from a committed Illinois craft brewery.