Half Acre Tome 4Pk is a hazy, New England-style IPA from Chicago's Half Acre Beer Company, packaged as a 4-pack at 5.5% ABV. Scored 93/100 in a blind taste test by BJCP judges for Craft Beer & Brewing Magazine, Tome has earned serious recognition for its balanced hop profile and pillowy soft texture.Quick Facts: ABV: 5.5% | Origin: Chicago, Illinois | Style: Hazy / New England IPA | Brewery: Half Acre Beer CompanyProduction & HeritageHalf Acre Beer Company was founded in Chicago in 2006 and has grown into one of the city's most respected independent craft breweries, operating out of its North Center production facility and taproom. Tome is built on a fluffy malt base and dry-hopped with a four-hop combination of Citra, Mosaic, Idaho 7, and Centennial — a blend that leans heavily into tropical and citrus territory while Idaho 7 contributes its distinctive stone-fruit character. The brewery applies modern hopping techniques to this hazy recipe, yielding a soft, almost pillowy mouthfeel that separates Tome from more bitter, West Coast–leaning pale ales.Tasting NotesAroma: Guava and grape lead the nose, followed by layers of white peach and ripe melon. There is a subtle pine resin quality underneath the fruit-forward aromatics.Taste: The entry delivers zested orange and clean lemon citrus on a soft, rounded malt body. Mid-palate, pineapple and grapefruit emerge alongside calm melon sweetness, while the hop bitterness remains restrained and integrated. The overall impression is juicy without becoming cloying, a hallmark of well-executed hazy IPAs at this ABV.Finish: Medium in length with lingering grapefruit pith and a faint pine note. The pillowy mouthfeel carries through to the close, leaving a clean, dry impression that invites the next sip.How to Drink TomeTome is best enjoyed fresh and cold, poured into a tulip glass or wide-mouth pint to release its hop aromatics. At 5.5% ABV, it drinks easily on its own and pairs well with casual, warm-weather settings. For a Citrus Radler, combine half Tome with fresh lemonade for a low-ABV summer cooler that amplifies its natural lemon and grapefruit character. In a Beer-a-Rita, use Tome in place of a standard lager to add tropical depth to a classic Michelada-style build with lime and hot sauce. A Hop Shandy — equal parts Tome and ginger ale over ice — makes a crisp, effervescent serve that highlights the melon and peach notes.Best For Backyard grilling sessions where a sessionable, flavorful IPA keeps the afternoon going Introducing a friend to hazy IPAs with an approachable, well-rated example Building a craft beer tasting flight alongside other Chicago-brewed styles Bringing a respected 4-pack to a gathering of hop-forward beer enthusiasts Frequently Asked QuestionsWhat does Tome taste like? Tome delivers juicy orange zest, grapefruit, and pineapple on a soft, pillowy malt body, with clean lemon and melon notes rounding out the profile. The bitterness is restrained, making this a fruit-forward, easy-drinking hazy IPA.How does Tome compare to Toppling Goliath Pseudo Sue? Both beers share prominent lemon-citrus character, but Tome is lighter and softer in body with a more complex hop bill (four hops versus Pseudo Sue's Citra-dominant approach). Pseudo Sue tends to be slightly more bitter and bright, while Tome leans into tropical fruit and a pillowy mouthfeel.Is Tome good for beginners? Yes — at 5.5% ABV with low bitterness and a smooth, juicy profile, Tome is an excellent entry point into the hazy IPA category without overwhelming newer craft beer drinkers.Where is Tome made? Tome is brewed by Half Acre Beer Company in Chicago, Illinois. The brewery operates out of its North Center neighborhood facility, where it produces its full lineup of year-round and seasonal releases.What foods pair well with Tome? Fish tacos work well, as the citrus hop notes echo a squeeze of lime. Grilled chicken with mango salsa mirrors the tropical fruit character. A creamy burrata salad complements the soft mouthfeel. Spicy Thai green curry finds balance against the beer's juicy sweetness. Light, tangy goat cheese provides contrast to the hazy malt body.What sizes does Tome come in? Tome is commonly available as a 4-pack of cans, which is the standard retail format for this release from Half Acre.Is Tome worth the price? Tome positions as a mid-range craft IPA that delivers above its weight, particularly given the 93/100 score from Craft Beer & Brewing Magazine. For a four-hop hazy IPA from a well-established independent brewery, it represents strong value within the category.Why Tome?A 93/100 blind-tasting score from BJCP judges — published by Craft Beer & Brewing Magazine — places Tome among the better-rated hazy IPAs nationally, not just regionally. Its four-hop blend of Citra, Mosaic, Idaho 7, and Centennial creates a layered tropical and citrus profile that many single- or dual-hop competitors cannot match. At 5.5% ABV, it sits in a sessionable sweet spot: flavorful enough to satisfy dedicated hop enthusiasts, yet approachable enough for casual drinkers exploring the style. For a Chicago brewery with nearly two decades of independent production behind it, Tome reflects Half Acre's ability to execute modern hazy technique with precision and restraint.
