Two Brothers Pinball 6Pk

Two Brothers Pinball 6Pk is a 4.9% ABV American Pale Ale from Warrenville, Illinois, sold in a six-pack format. Rated 3.93 out of 5 on BeerAdvocate, this sessionable pale ale distinguishes itself through a unique all-late-addition hopping technique using five different hop varieties added exclusively after the boil or during fermentation.

Quick Facts: ABV: 4.9%  |  IBU: 31  |  Origin: Warrenville, Illinois, USA  |  Style: American Pale Ale  |  Brewery: Two Brothers Brewing Company

Production & Heritage

Two Brothers Brewing Company operates out of Warrenville, Illinois, a western suburb of Chicago. Pinball stands out in their lineup through a deliberate brewing choice: all five hop varieties are added after the boiling process or directly in the fermenter as dry hops, bypassing the traditional bittering additions during the boil. This post-boil and dry-hop-only approach preserves delicate aromatic oils and volatile compounds that would otherwise be driven off by heat, resulting in pronounced fruit-forward hop character with restrained bitterness at just 31 IBUs.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with big stone fruit — ripe apricot and peach lead the way — followed by waves of tropical fruit and a bright tangerine-like citrus accent. There is minimal malt presence on the nose, letting the hop aromatics dominate cleanly.

Taste: Tropical mango flavor arrives immediately on the palate, establishing the beer's fruit-driven identity from the first sip. At mid-palate, lemon, orange, and grapefruit flavors emerge but never overwhelm, maintaining balance against a light malt backbone. The 31 IBU bitterness is well-integrated, providing structure without sharpness.

Finish: A citrus-pine character develops on the back end, carrying moderate length with clean, dry closure. The light body and lively carbonation keep the finish refreshing and encourage another sip.

How to Drink Pinball

Pinball drinks best cold, straight from the can or poured into a shaker pint or tulip glass to capture the aromatic hop oils. Its 4.9% ABV and light body make it a natural session beer. For cocktail-curious drinkers: try it in a Shandy with fresh lemonade to amplify the citrus profile; use it in a Michelada where the stone fruit and mango notes create an unexpected tropical twist on the classic; or build a Beer Margarita by floating Pinball over a lime margarita base, letting its grapefruit and tangerine character merge with the tequila and citrus.

Best For

• Backyard grilling sessions where a hop-forward but easy-drinking beer suits the pace
• Introducing craft beer to friends who find IPAs too bitter
• Pairing with spicy foods like tacos or Thai takeout
• Stocking the fridge for a weekend of watching sports with a crowd

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Pinball taste like? Pinball leads with tropical mango and ripe stone fruit flavors like apricot and peach, followed by balanced citrus notes of lemon, orange, and grapefruit, finishing with a subtle citrus-pine character and clean, dry close.

How does Pinball compare to Three Floyds Zombie Dust? Both are American Pale Ales from the greater Chicago region, but Zombie Dust relies heavily on Citra hops for a more singular citrus punch, while Pinball uses five different hop varieties added exclusively post-boil to achieve a broader tropical and stone fruit spectrum at a slightly lower ABV.

Is Pinball good for beginners? At 4.9% ABV and only 31 IBUs, Pinball is an excellent entry point into craft pale ales — it delivers full hop flavor and aroma without the aggressive bitterness that can be off-putting to newer craft beer drinkers.

Where is Pinball made? Pinball is brewed by Two Brothers Brewing Company in Warrenville, Illinois, located roughly 30 miles west of downtown Chicago in the DuPage County craft brewing corridor.

What foods pair well with Pinball? Fish tacos work well with the tropical mango and citrus hop character. Grilled chicken benefits from the beer's light body and carbonation cutting through charred fat. Thai green curry plays off the stone fruit sweetness. A citrus-dressed arugula salad mirrors the beer's bright fruit notes. Sharp cheddar creates a pleasant contrast against the hop-forward profile.

What sizes does Pinball come in? Pinball is commonly available in six-pack cans, the standard format for this expression.

Is Pinball worth the price? Pinball positions as a mid-range craft pale ale, and its unique five-hop post-boil technique delivers complexity that punches above typical beers in this price tier — strong ratings on both BeerAdvocate (3.93/5) and Untappd (3.6/5 across nearly 30,000 ratings) reinforce its reputation as a reliable value in the American Pale Ale category.

Why Pinball?

The defining feature of Pinball is its all-late-addition hopping process — every one of the five hop varieties enters the beer after the boil or during fermentation, a technique that maximizes aromatic intensity while keeping bitterness restrained at 31 IBUs. This approach yields a pale ale that reads almost like a session IPA in terms of hop expression but remains firmly in sessionable, easy-drinking territory at 4.9% ABV. Nearly 30,000 Untappd ratings and a 3.93 BeerAdvocate score confirm broad, sustained approval from the craft beer community. For drinkers who want pronounced tropical and stone fruit hop flavor without palate fatigue, Pinball occupies a specific and well-earned niche in the American Pale Ale landscape.