Half Acre Bodem 6Pk is a 6.7% ABV India Pale Ale from Chicago's Half Acre Beer Company, sold as a six-pack of 12 oz cans. Scored 94/100 by Craft Beer & Brewing and 91 on BeerAdvocate, Bodem has earned recognition as a standout IPA that occupies the rare midpoint between West Coast bitterness and East Coast tropical juiciness. Quick Facts: ABV: 6.7% | IBU: 50 | Origin: Chicago, Illinois | Style: IPA | Brewery: Half Acre Beer Company Production & Heritage Half Acre Beer Company has been brewing in Chicago since 2006, growing from a contract-brewed single release into one of the city's most respected independent craft breweries. Bodem is built on a silk-rich grist that provides a plush, full body without tipping into heavy territory. The hop bill layers Idaho 7, Mosaic Cryo, and Cashmere — three varieties chosen for their overlapping tropical and stone-fruit characteristics — delivering 50 IBUs that register as balanced rather than aggressive. The result is an IPA deliberately engineered to sit at the exact fusion point of classic West Coast structure and modern East Coast softness. Tasting Notes Aroma: Ripe mango and watermelon hit first, followed by layers of strawberry and a resinous pine undertone. A subtle lime zest note emerges as the beer warms slightly in the glass. Taste: The entry is soft and inviting, with pineapple and guava dominating the front palate. Mid-palate brings a sticky blend of orange and tropical fruit flesh, while a measured bitterness anchors everything with pine and citrus pith. Peach and melon round out the peak, keeping the sweetness in check without drying the palate out. Finish: Medium-length with lingering resinous citrus and a soft berry fade. The mouthfeel stays silky through the close, leaving behind a clean tropical impression rather than a bitter snap. How to Drink Bodem Bodem drinks best cold from the can or poured into a tulip glass at 40–45°F to let the hop aromatics open up fully. Its balanced profile also makes it a strong base for beer cocktails. A Michelada built with Bodem adds tropical fruit depth to the traditional savory-citrus framework. A Beer Margarita (blending Bodem with tequila, lime, and a splash of triple sec over ice) plays naturally off the mango and guava notes. A Shandy mixing Bodem with fresh lemonade makes a crushable warm-weather option that highlights the melon and strawberry character. Best For Backyard grilling sessions where hop-forward beer meets charred food Introducing a hazy-IPA drinker to West Coast structure without losing tropical appeal Stocking a weekend fridge with a crowd-friendly, critically acclaimed IPA Gifting a craft beer enthusiast who appreciates thoughtful hop combinations Frequently Asked Questions What does Bodem taste like? Bodem delivers ripe tropical fruit — pineapple, mango, and guava — balanced by resinous pine and citrus bitterness, all carried on a soft, silky body. It reads as juicy without being hazy, and bitter without being harsh. How does Bodem compare to Revolution Anti-Hero? Both are flagship Chicago IPAs, but Anti-Hero leans more decisively toward the West Coast with grapefruit-forward bitterness and a drier finish, while Bodem deliberately balances that tradition with softer tropical fruit and a fuller mouthfeel from its silk-rich grist. Bodem's IBU count (50) is also slightly lower than Anti-Hero's, contributing to its more approachable character. Is Bodem good for sipping on its own? Absolutely — the balanced bitterness and layered tropical fruit make Bodem a rewarding standalone pour, especially when served at the right temperature in a proper glass to release its aromatic complexity. Where is Bodem made? Bodem is brewed by Half Acre Beer Company in Chicago, Illinois. Half Acre has operated in the city since 2006 and runs brewing facilities on the city's North Side. What foods pair well with Bodem? Grilled fish tacos work well, as the tropical hop character mirrors citrus-based salsas. Spicy Thai green curry finds a cooling counterpoint in the beer's melon and berry notes. Sharp cheddar or pepper jack cheese stands up to the hop bitterness without being overwhelmed. Jerk chicken pairs naturally with the mango and pineapple aromatics, and a simple summer fruit salad echoes the beer's fruity profile. What sizes does Bodem come in? Bodem is commonly available as a six-pack of 12 oz cans, which is the standard retail format for this beer. Is Bodem worth the price? Bodem positions as a premium craft IPA — not entry-level macro pricing, but competitive within the upper tier of six-pack IPAs from established independent breweries. The 94/100 Craft Beer & Brewing score and strong BeerAdvocate rating of 91 suggest it delivers quality that justifies its position in the category. Why Bodem? What separates Bodem from the hundreds of IPAs crowding cooler shelves is its intentional restraint. Half Acre didn't chase the haze trend or retreat to old-school pine bombs — they engineered a beer that genuinely fuses both schools. The combination of Idaho 7, Mosaic Cryo, and Cashmere hops on a silk-rich grist creates a texture and flavor profile that most breweries attempt but few achieve with this precision. A 94/100 from Craft Beer & Brewing and a 91 on BeerAdvocate confirm that the beer community has taken notice, and over 42,000 Untappd ratings demonstrate that Bodem resonates well beyond Chicago's city limits.
