Miskatonic Epilogue 4Pk is a hazy American Imperial IPA from Miskatonic Brewing Company, clocking in at 8.5% ABV and 83 IBU in a four-pack format. Brewed as the warm-weather counterpart to the brewery's Prologue release, Epilogue distinguished itself with a drier, more drinkable malt bill designed to let its triple-hop charge of Citra, Simcoe, and Amarillo take center stage. The beer earned a 3.8 out of 5 on Untappd across more than 1,370 ratings.Quick Facts: ABV: 8.5% | IBU: 83 | Origin: Darien, Illinois, USA | Style: American Imperial IPA | Brewery: Miskatonic Brewing CompanyProduction & HeritageMiskatonic Brewing Company operated out of Darien, Illinois, at 1000 N. Frontage Rd., drawing its name from the fictional university in H.P. Lovecraft's stories. The brewery permanently closed on December 30, 2025, making Epilogue and its other releases finite quantities on shelves. Epilogue was conceived as a seasonal cycle paired with Prologue — where Prologue leaned into colder-weather richness, Epilogue dialed back the residual malt sweetness to create a drier platform for hop expression. The grain bill is restrained enough to keep the body from becoming heavy, while Citra, Simcoe, and Amarillo hops were used generously, delivering a layered tropical and citrus hop profile characteristic of the West Coast-meets-haze approach the brewery favored.Tasting NotesAroma: The nose opens with bright citrus — orange peel and grapefruit dominate — followed by an unusual garden-like quality that brings green herbs, a faint onion or celery note, and floral undertones. It reads more complex than many straightforward Imperial IPAs.Taste: On the palate, orange and grapefruit citrus hit first, transitioning into floral and lightly herbal mid-palate flavors. There is a subtle tartness that adds dimension, and the malt bill stays lean, avoiding the cloying sweetness that can weigh down bigger IPAs. The body is full and nearly creamy in texture despite the drier overall impression.Finish: The finish is dry with a pronounced bitterness that lingers cleanly. Some drinkers note an almost brut-like quality — effervescent and crisp — that makes the 8.5% ABV deceptively easy to move through.How to Drink EpilogueEpilogue is best poured into a tulip glass or standard pint at around 45°F, allowing the hop aromatics to open up as it warms slightly. Its drier profile and high bitterness make it a strong candidate for hop-forward cocktail experimentation as well. A Hop Shandy — half Epilogue, half fresh lemonade — tames the bitterness while amplifying the citrus. A Michelada variation with Epilogue adds herbal complexity that plays well against hot sauce and lime. A simple Beer-ita (equal parts IPA and frozen margarita) leverages the grapefruit and orange notes alongside tequila's agave bite.Best For Hop enthusiasts looking for a drier, less malt-heavy Imperial IPA Collectors seeking discontinued craft beer from a closed Illinois brewery Summer barbecues and outdoor gatherings where a sessionable-feeling high-ABV beer shines Pairing dinners built around bold, spicy, or citrus-driven dishes Frequently Asked QuestionsWhat does Epilogue taste like? Epilogue delivers bright orange and grapefruit citrus flavors layered over a floral, herbal backbone, finishing dry with a clean, lingering bitterness. The body is unexpectedly full and creamy for an IPA built on a lean malt bill.How does Epilogue compare to other Imperial IPAs? Epilogue runs drier than many American Imperial IPAs, which tend toward a heavier, sweeter malt backbone at similar ABV levels. Its 83 IBU and triple-hop combination of Citra, Simcoe, and Amarillo give it a more citrus-and-floral character rather than the pine-resin bitterness found in classic West Coast-style doubles.Is Epilogue good for sipping on its own? Yes — the dry finish and creamy mouthfeel make it a satisfying standalone pour despite its 8.5% ABV, though the bitterness will be assertive for those unaccustomed to Imperial IPAs.Where is Epilogue made? Epilogue was brewed at Miskatonic Brewing Company in Darien, Illinois, a suburb southwest of Chicago. The brewery permanently closed in December 2025, so remaining inventory represents the final production run.What foods pair well with Epilogue? Spicy Thai green curry stands up to the bitterness while complementing the herbal aromatics. Grilled citrus-marinated chicken echoes the orange and grapefruit hop flavors. Sharp aged cheddar or Gruyère balances the dry finish with richness. Fish tacos with mango salsa harmonize with the tropical fruit character, and charred jalapeño burgers play off the beer's assertive bitterness.What sizes does Epilogue come in? Epilogue was released in a four-pack can format, which was the standard packaging from Miskatonic Brewing Company for this release.Is Epilogue worth the price? Epilogue positioned as a mid-range craft Imperial IPA during its production run, and its quality of ingredients — Citra, Simcoe, and Amarillo hops on a restrained malt bill — delivered strong value in that tier. With the brewery now closed, remaining stock may carry scarcity premiums.Why Epilogue?Epilogue represented the more drinkable half of Miskatonic's seasonal IPA concept, pairing a deliberately lean grain bill with three of the most sought-after American hop varieties. That combination yielded a beer that hit 8.5% ABV without tasting heavy — a balance many Imperial IPAs struggle to achieve. With Miskatonic Brewing Company now permanently shuttered, Epilogue has shifted from a seasonal staple to a finite piece of Illinois craft brewing history. For hop-forward drinkers who favor dry bitterness over malt sweetness, it remains a distinctive expression of what a small Chicagoland brewery was capable of producing.
