Around The Bend Vixen 4Pk is a pistachio cream ale brewed with cinnamon by Around the Bend Beer Co. in Chicago, Illinois, at 5.0% ABV. A seasonal riff on the brewery's popular Vera cream ale, Vixen layers warm cinnamon spice over a nutty pistachio base, earning a solid 3.6 out of 5 on Untappd across more than 2,400 ratings. Quick Facts: ABV: 5.0% | Origin: Chicago, Illinois | Style: Pistachio Cream Ale with Cinnamon | Brewery: Around the Bend Beer Co. Production & Heritage Around the Bend Beer Co. brews out of District Brew Yards, a collaborative brewing facility in Chicago where four independent breweries share a 30-barrel brewhouse paired with 90-barrel fermenters. Vixen is built on the same pistachio cream ale recipe as the brewery's flagship Vera, with cinnamon added to give it a holiday-seasonal character. The result is a low-ABV, dessert-adjacent ale that reads more like a spiced pastry than a typical cream ale. Tasting Notes Aroma: Sweet grain leads the nose, followed by a pleasant cinnamon warmth that stays measured rather than overpowering. Subtle pistachio nuttiness rounds out the aromatics with a light bakery quality. Taste: The entry is malty and moderately sweet, landing sweeter than its Vera base. Mid-palate brings cinnamon spice and slight nutty pistachio character, with some drinkers picking up hints of cherry and vanilla. The mouthfeel is airy and medium-bodied, keeping the beer approachable despite its dessert-like flavor profile. Finish: A dry, clean finish emerges with lingering pistachio and cinnamon aftertaste. The dryness counterbalances the sweetness nicely, preventing the beer from becoming cloying. How to Drink Vixen Vixen drinks best slightly chilled in a tulip glass or shaker pint, where the cinnamon aromatics can open up without being muted by extreme cold. Its low 5.0% ABV and dessert-leaning profile make it a natural sessionable sipper, but it also works in creative beer cocktail territory. Try it in a Beer-mosa with fresh orange juice, where the cinnamon plays off citrus beautifully. A Pistachio Shandy made with lemonade highlights the nutty sweetness. It also pairs well blended into a Beer Float with vanilla ice cream, leaning into its pastry-like character. Best For Holiday gatherings where a festive, spiced beer fits the table Dessert-beer fans looking for something sessionable under 5% ABV Gifting to a craft beer enthusiast who enjoys flavored ales Winding down after dinner as a lighter alternative to a stout or porter Frequently Asked Questions What does Vixen taste like? Vixen delivers sweet malt and pistachio nuttiness layered with warm cinnamon spice, finishing dry with a lingering nutty-spice aftertaste. The mouthfeel is airy and medium-bodied, sweeter than a standard cream ale but balanced by its clean finish. How does Vixen compare to Around the Bend Vera? Vixen is built on the same pistachio cream ale base as Vera, with cinnamon added for a holiday-seasonal twist. The result is noticeably sweeter and spicier than Vera, which showcases pistachio in a more straightforward, unspiced format. Is Vixen good for craft beer beginners? Its 5.0% ABV, approachable sweetness, and familiar flavors like cinnamon and pistachio make Vixen an excellent entry point for anyone new to flavored craft ales. Where is Vixen made? Vixen is brewed by Around the Bend Beer Co. at District Brew Yards in Chicago, Illinois, a shared brewing facility featuring a 30-barrel brewhouse and 90-barrel fermenters. What foods pair well with Vixen? Baklava mirrors its pistachio and spice profile directly. Apple pie or cinnamon rolls echo the warm cinnamon notes. A charcuterie board with soft cheeses like brie contrasts the sweetness with savory richness. Roasted nuts, especially candied pecans, amplify the beer's nutty backbone. What sizes does Vixen come in? Vixen is available in a 4-pack of cans, which is the standard retail format for this seasonal release. Is Vixen worth the price? Vixen positions as a specialty seasonal craft ale, priced in line with other small-batch flavored offerings from independent Chicago breweries. Its distinctive pistachio-cinnamon combination and limited seasonal availability give it strong value for drinkers seeking something beyond typical cream ales. Why Vixen? Pistachio beers are uncommon enough on their own; adding cinnamon to one and keeping it balanced at just 5.0% ABV is a genuine rarity. Vixen succeeds because it treats its flavoring ingredients with restraint — the cinnamon enhances rather than dominates, and the pistachio provides texture and nuttiness without tipping into artificial territory. Brewed at the collaborative District Brew Yards facility, it reflects Around the Bend's willingness to experiment within an accessible, sessionable framework. For seasonal drinking, it fills a niche that most holiday beers — typically heavy stouts and barleywines — leave wide open.
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