Old Irving Beezer 4Pk is a double dry hopped hazy IPA from Old Irving Brewing Co. in Chicago, available in a 4-pack at 6.9% ABV. This beer earned gold at both the 2019 Great American Beer Festival and the 2024 World Beer Cup in the Hazy IPA category — a rare double distinction that cements it among the most acclaimed hazies brewed in the United States. Quick Facts: ABV: 6.9% | Origin: Chicago, Illinois | Style: Hazy / New England IPA | Brewery: Old Irving Brewing Co. Production & Heritage Old Irving Brewing Co. operates out of its taproom and brewery at 4419 W Montrose Ave in Chicago's Old Irving Park neighborhood. Beezer is built on a grain bill of 2-Row, Carapils, Wheat, Oats, and Caramel malt — a combination designed to deliver the pillowy, full body that defines the New England IPA style. The beer is double dry hopped exclusively with Citra and Mosaic, two hop varietals that, when layered through a second dry hop charge, produce an intensely aromatic and juicy character that has become the brewery's signature. Tasting Notes Aroma: Immediately tropical and inviting, with waves of ripe mango and papaya giving way to fresh orange peel and clementine. A subtle undercurrent of peach and nectarine adds depth without competing for attention. Taste: The first sip lands soft and creamy, delivering fresh-squeezed orange juice and mango up front. At mid-palate, pineapple and papaya push the profile into smoothie-like territory, while a light pine resin note and a whisper of grapefruit pith emerge to check the sweetness. The mouthfeel is full and silky, owing to the oat and wheat in the grain bill. Finish: Medium in length with a pleasantly dank, slightly resinous bitterness that lingers without overstaying. The tropical fruit impression gradually fades, leaving behind a clean, citrus-tinged close. How to Drink Beezer Pour into a tulip glass or stemless IPA glass at around 40–45°F to let the aromatics open fully; drinking straight from the can mutes much of what makes this beer special. Beezer pairs naturally with a Michelada build — its tropical juice quality holds up against lime and hot sauce. It also works in a Shandy variation with fresh lemonade for warm-weather sessions, and stands as a compelling Beermosa substitute at brunch where the mango and orange notes complement rather than clash with citrus juice. Best For Gifting a craft beer enthusiast who values award-winning pedigree Backyard cookouts and summer gatherings where sessionable hazies shine Introducing someone to the hazy IPA style with a gold-medal benchmark Adding a proven competition winner to a curated beer tasting lineup Frequently Asked Questions What does Beezer taste like? Beezer delivers an intensely tropical profile dominated by mango, orange, pineapple, and papaya, backed by a soft, creamy mouthfeel and a gently resinous, dank bitterness on the finish. How does Beezer compare to Tree House Julius? Both are benchmark hazy IPAs featuring Citra hops, but Beezer's combination of Citra and Mosaic with a grain bill that includes Carapils and Caramel malt gives it a slightly more layered sweetness and dank pine character. Julius leans more purely citrus-forward, while Beezer skews wider into papaya and mango territory. Is Beezer good for someone new to hazy IPAs? Absolutely — its smooth, creamy body and fruit-forward flavor make it one of the most approachable entries into the style, and its dual gold medals at GABF and World Beer Cup confirm it as a reliable representation of the category at its best. Where is Beezer made? Beezer is brewed by Old Irving Brewing Co. at their facility in the Old Irving Park neighborhood on the northwest side of Chicago, Illinois. What foods pair well with Beezer? Fish tacos with mango salsa complement the tropical hop profile; Thai green curry mirrors the citrus and herbal notes; a grilled chicken sandwich with avocado echoes the beer's creamy texture; sharp cheddar provides a savory counterpoint to the fruit-forward hops; and coconut shrimp leans into the tropical theme. What sizes does Beezer come in? Beezer is commonly available as a 4-pack of cans, which is the standard retail format for this release. Is Beezer worth the price? Beezer positions as a premium craft hazy IPA, and its two gold medals from the most respected beer competitions in the world — GABF and the World Beer Cup — place it in rare company that justifies its price point within the category. Why Beezer? Winning gold at the Great American Beer Festival in 2019 and then repeating at the World Beer Cup in 2024 puts Beezer in an elite tier of American hazy IPAs validated by professional blind judging panels. The double dry hop process with Citra and Mosaic yields an aromatic intensity that has earned it over 22,000 ratings on Untappd with a strong 4.0 average — evidence of broad consumer enthusiasm beyond the competition circuit. Its grain bill, which layers wheat and oats over a base of 2-Row with Carapils and Caramel malt, produces a body that is distinctly fuller and more textured than many competitors relying on simpler recipes. For drinkers seeking a hazy IPA with both critical credentials and genuine drinkability, Beezer delivers on measurable merits rather than hype alone.
