Hop Butcher Grid 4Pk is a Citra and Mosaic-hopped American Pale Ale from Chicago's Hop Butcher For The World brewery, packaged as a 4-pack at 5.75% ABV. Grid earned a Gold Medal in the Pale Ale category at the 2021 Can Can Awards, and its reputation among Midwest hop enthusiasts rests on a grain bill engineered for soft, full-bodied drinkability. Quick Facts: ABV: 5.75% | Origin: Chicago, Illinois | Style: American Pale Ale | Brewery: Hop Butcher For The World Production & Heritage Hop Butcher For The World operates out of two Chicago-area facilities — one in Bedford Park and another on Lincoln Avenue — and has built a cult following around its relentless release schedule, distributing fresh beer throughout Chicagoland often within hours or days of canning. Grid's grain bill runs 55–60% 2-row barley balanced with equal parts flaked oats, malted oats, and white wheat, plus a measure of Carafoam for body and head retention. That oat-and-wheat-heavy backbone creates the pillowy mouthfeel that lets Citra and Mosaic hops land with full tropical intensity rather than sharp, abrasive bitterness. Tasting Notes Aroma: Ripe pineapple and peach jump from the glass first, followed by waves of passionfruit and mango. A subtle undercurrent of bready grain and honey keeps the nose grounded. Taste: The entry delivers tangerine, white grapefruit, and guava in quick succession, giving way to a mid-palate where soft malt sweetness — think angel food cake and light cereal — cushions the citrus. A gentle acidity emerges alongside tannic black tea notes and a grassy, almost herbal dankness that adds dimension without harshness. Finish: Moderately long with a pithy grapefruit bitterness and lingering pine resin. Faint sassafras and verbena linger at the edges, keeping the close botanical and dry. How to Drink Grid Grid drinks best cold — around 40–45°F — straight from the can or poured into a tulip glass to amplify its tropical aromatics. Freshness matters with hop-forward pale ales, so drink it as close to the canning date as possible. Shandy: Mix half Grid with fresh lemonade for a sessionable summer drink where the grapefruit and pineapple notes amplify the citrus base. Michelada: Grid's soft body and tropical character balance the savory, spicy elements of tomato juice, hot sauce, and lime. Beer-tail with mezcal: A half-ounce of mezcal floated into a glass of Grid adds a smoky counterpoint to the beer's fruit-forward profile. Best For Introducing hop-curious drinkers to craft pale ales without IPA-level intensity Backyard cookouts and warm-weather gatherings where sessionability matters Gifting to a Chicago craft beer enthusiast exploring local breweries Pairing alongside a taco spread or grilled seafood dinner Frequently Asked Questions What does Grid taste like? Grid leads with bright tropical fruit — pineapple, passionfruit, and tangerine — layered over a soft, bready malt base, finishing with pithy grapefruit bitterness and black tea tannins. How does Grid compare to 3 Floyds pale ales? Both breweries push hop intensity well beyond typical pale ale territory, but Grid leans more tropical and soft-bodied thanks to its oat-and-wheat-heavy grain bill, while 3 Floyds offerings tend toward more assertive pine and resinous bitterness with a drier finish. Is Grid good for someone new to craft beer? At 5.75% ABV with a smooth, oat-forward body and restrained bitterness, Grid is an approachable entry point for anyone curious about hop-forward American pale ales without the punch of a full IPA. Where is Grid made? Grid is brewed by Hop Butcher For The World in Chicago, Illinois, with production split between the brewery's Bedford Park and Lincoln Avenue facilities. What foods pair well with Grid? Fish tacos work well, as the tropical hops mirror cilantro-lime garnishes. Grilled shrimp benefits from the beer's citrus backbone. Thai green curry finds balance against Grid's soft malt sweetness. Sharp cheddar contrasts the fruit notes, and a citrus-dressed arugula salad echoes the grapefruit finish. What sizes does Grid come in? Grid is available as a 4-pack of cans, which is the standard retail format for Hop Butcher's rotating and core lineup. Is Grid worth the price? Grid positions as a premium craft pale ale, and its freshness-focused distribution model, Gold Medal pedigree, and carefully constructed grain bill justify its place among top-tier Midwest pale ales at the craft 4-pack price point. Why Grid? What separates Grid from the crowded American Pale Ale field is the interplay between its unusually complex grain bill and dual-hop profile. The 55–60% 2-row base supplemented with flaked oats, malted oats, white wheat, and Carafoam creates a texture rarely found in the style — a pillowy, almost creamy body that lets Citra and Mosaic express their full tropical range without relying on excessive bitterness. The 2021 Can Can Awards Gold Medal in the Pale Ale category confirmed what Chicago-area drinkers already knew: Grid punches well above its ABV class. Hop Butcher's commitment to distributing beer within hours of canning means each 4-pack arrives with hop aromatics intact, a detail that matters enormously in a style where freshness defines quality.
