Half Day Aces And 8s 4Pk is a hazy imperial double IPA brewed exclusively with Sorachi Ace hops, coming in a 4-pack at 8% ABV. What distinguishes this beer from the crowded hazy IPA field is its commitment to a single, uncommon hop variety — Sorachi Ace — grown in limited quantities in the United States and known for producing an unusual flavor spectrum that ranges from tropical fruit to coconut and dill. Quick Facts: ABV: 8% | Origin: Lincolnshire, Illinois | Style: Imperial / Double New England Hazy IPA | Brewery: Half Day Brewing Co. Production & Heritage Half Day Brewing Co. operates out of Lincolnshire, Illinois, producing a range of craft styles with an emphasis on hop-forward beers. Aces & 8s is built entirely around Sorachi Ace hops, a cultivar originally developed in Japan in the 1980s and now cultivated in small quantities domestically. The addition of lactose to the grain bill provides body and residual sweetness, reinforcing the creamy mouthfeel characteristic of the New England hazy style while letting the hop's distinctive coconut-lemon-vanilla personality take center stage. Tasting Notes Aroma: The nose opens with ripe mango and fresh coconut, followed by a pronounced lemon zest brightness. Underneath, subtle floral and vanilla notes emerge as the beer warms in the glass. Taste: The entry is soft and full, with immediate tropical fruit — mango and coconut dominate the front palate. At mid-palate, the lactose-driven sweetness rounds out the citrus, delivering lemon curd and a faint vanilla character. Bitterness remains restrained throughout, keeping the focus on fruit and hop flavor rather than resinous bite. Finish: Medium in length with a creamy, slightly sweet tail. Lingering coconut and a whisper of lemon peel fade gently, leaving a soft, hazy warmth from the 8% ABV. How to Drink Aces & 8s Pour into a tulip glass or stemless wine glass at around 40–45°F to let the aromatic complexity of Sorachi Ace open up fully. This beer is best enjoyed fresh and on its own to appreciate the hop expression. For a shandy-style riff, blend with fresh lemonade to amplify the citrus notes into a refreshing warm-weather drink. It also works surprisingly well in a Michelada, where the lactose sweetness balances the heat and acidity of lime and hot sauce. A beer float built with coconut ice cream leans into the hop's natural coconut character for an indulgent dessert pairing. Best For Hop enthusiasts exploring single-hop showcases and uncommon varieties Sharing during a backyard cookout where bold, tropical flavors stand up to grilled food Gifting to a craft beer fan who has tried every mainstream hazy IPA Tasting sessions comparing single-hop IPAs side by side Frequently Asked Questions What does Aces & 8s taste like? Aces & 8s delivers prominent coconut and mango flavors layered with lemon zest and vanilla, supported by a full-bodied, lactose-driven sweetness. Bitterness is deliberately low, putting the emphasis on the tropical and creamy character of Sorachi Ace hops. How does Aces & 8s compare to Brooklyn Sorachi Ace? Brooklyn Sorachi Ace is a farmhouse saison that showcases the hop's drier, more herbal and lemony side at a lower ABV, while Half Day's Aces & 8s uses the same hop variety in a hazy double IPA format with lactose, resulting in a sweeter, creamier, and more tropical profile at 8% ABV. The two beers illustrate how dramatically a single hop can express itself across different styles. Is Aces & 8s good for sipping on its own? Yes — the low bitterness, creamy body, and layered tropical fruit flavors make it a satisfying standalone sipper, though the 8% ABV warrants a measured pace. Pouring it into a proper glass rather than drinking from the can significantly improves the aromatic experience. Where is Aces & 8s made? Aces & 8s is brewed by Half Day Brewing Co. in Lincolnshire, Illinois, a suburb located about 35 miles northwest of downtown Chicago in Lake County. What foods pair well with Aces & 8s? Grilled shrimp with coconut-lime sauce mirrors the beer's tropical notes. Spicy Thai curry benefits from the lactose sweetness, which tempers heat. Fish tacos with mango salsa echo the hop's fruit character. A creamy goat cheese salad contrasts the beer's sweetness with tangy acidity. Lemon bars make a natural dessert match, reinforcing the citrus thread running through Sorachi Ace. What sizes does Aces & 8s come in? Aces & 8s is available in a 4-pack of cans, which is the standard format offered by Half Day Brewing Co. for this release. Is Aces & 8s worth the price? Aces & 8s positions as a craft-premium hazy double IPA, and the use of a single uncommon hop variety grown in limited domestic supply adds genuine differentiation to justify its price point within the imperial IPA tier. For drinkers specifically seeking something beyond the typical Citra-Mosaic hop combination, it represents solid value. Why Aces & 8s? The hazy double IPA category is dense with entries leaning on the same handful of popular hop varieties, which makes Aces & 8s a genuine outlier. Building the entire recipe around Sorachi Ace — a hop with a flavor profile unlike any mainstream American variety — gives this beer an identity that cannot be replicated by simply swapping hops in a standard hazy template. The coconut and lemon character native to Sorachi Ace, amplified by lactose richness and the haze of a New England-style base, creates a drinking experience that stands apart. For anyone experiencing palate fatigue from the tropical-juicy norm of the style, this is a meaningful detour.
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