Phase Three Devious Method 4Pk is a West Coast American Double IPA from Phase Three Brewing Company in Lake Zurich, Illinois, packaged as a 4-pack at 8.4% ABV. Built around a trio of El Dorado, Galaxy, and Amarillo hops, Devious Method carries a solid 4.0 rating on Untappd across nearly 2,400 reviews—a testament to its consistency and appeal among hop-forward beer drinkers.Quick Facts: ABV: 8.4% | Origin: Lake Zurich, Illinois | Style: West Coast Double IPA | Brewery: Phase Three Brewing CompanyProduction & HeritagePhase Three Brewing Company operates a 3-vessel, 15-barrel steam-powered brewhouse in Lake Zurich, Illinois, equipped with a GEA centrifuge and a counter-pressure CODI packaging line designed to preserve hop character from tank to can. The brewery has built a reputation on an extensive IPA portfolio driven by hand-selected hop combinations and meticulous processing. Devious Method leans into classic West Coast DIPA principles—firm bitterness, bright clarity, and a dry finish—while the El Dorado, Galaxy, and Amarillo hop bill bridges old-school pine and resin with modern tropical fruit character.Tasting NotesAppearance: Bright orange with amber hues and a slight cloudiness, topped by a tall, pillowy white head that laces the glass generously.Aroma: Orange, grapefruit, and lime lead the nose immediately, followed by pear and wildflower notes. A backbone of pine hops and raw honey sweetness rounds out the bouquet with subtle pale grain and mineral undertones.Taste: The palate opens with crisp, bitter grapefruit peel and transitions into ripe melon and mango at mid-palate, accented by a fleeting floral sweetness. The back half shifts decisively toward earthy territory—pine resin, hop spice, grassiness, and a dank, resinous weediness that anchors the bitterness firmly.Finish: Dry and lingering, with pine bitterness and grapefruit zest persisting well after the swallow. The dank, grassy quality fades slowly, leaving a clean mineral quality that invites another sip.How to Drink Devious MethodPour Devious Method into a tulip glass or IPA glass at around 45°F to let the hop aromatics open fully; this beer rewards a deliberate pour that builds a proper head. It drinks best fresh and on its own, but also works in hop-forward beer cocktails. A Hop Shandy pairs it with fresh-squeezed grapefruit juice to amplify the citrus character. A Beermosa with orange juice plays off the tropical mango and melon notes in a brunch setting. A Michelada-style build with hot sauce, lime, and Worcestershire adds savory depth that contrasts the resinous bitterness.Best For Sharing with fellow hop enthusiasts during a craft beer tasting session Pairing alongside grilled foods at a summer cookout Gifting to a West Coast IPA loyalist exploring Midwest craft breweries Adding to a curated mixed pack for someone building their palate beyond hazy IPAs Frequently Asked QuestionsWhat does Devious Method taste like? Devious Method delivers assertive grapefruit and pine bitterness up front, transitioning through tropical melon and mango before finishing dry with dank, grassy hop character. It follows the West Coast Double IPA blueprint—bold, bitter, and crisp rather than soft or juicy.How does Devious Method compare to Pliny the Elder? Both are West Coast Double IPAs, but Devious Method leans more heavily into dank, resinous hop character and tropical fruit from its Galaxy and El Dorado hops, while Russian River's Pliny the Elder is often cited as more balanced and floral with a lighter body. Devious Method runs at 8.4% ABV compared to Pliny's 8.0%, and its hop profile trends slightly more modern in its tropical-to-pine ratio.Is Devious Method good for sipping on its own? Absolutely—Devious Method is built for standalone drinking, with enough complexity in its hop layers and enough bitterness in its finish to keep the palate engaged across a full pour. Pouring it into a proper glass rather than drinking from the can makes a significant difference in aroma delivery.Where is Devious Method made? Devious Method is brewed by Phase Three Brewing Company in Lake Zurich, Illinois, a northern suburb of Chicago in Lake County. The brewery operates a 15-barrel steam-powered brewhouse outfitted with centrifuge and counter-pressure canning technology.What foods pair well with Devious Method? Grilled burgers with sharp cheddar stand up to the hop bitterness without being overwhelmed. Spicy Thai green curry plays well against the tropical fruit notes. Fish tacos with citrus slaw echo the grapefruit and lime aromatics. Aged Gruyère or Comté cheese matches the beer's earthy, resinous backbone. Pepperoni pizza benefits from the dry, bitter finish cutting through the fat.What sizes does Devious Method come in? Devious Method is available as a 4-pack of cans, which is the standard format for Phase Three's IPA releases.Is Devious Method worth the price? Devious Method positions as a premium craft Double IPA from a well-regarded Midwest brewery, and its pricing reflects the hand-selected hop bill and specialized packaging process. For West Coast DIPA fans, the hop complexity and clean execution deliver strong value within the craft double IPA tier.Why Devious Method?Phase Three has earned its following by treating hops with an almost obsessive level of care, and Devious Method is a clear expression of that philosophy applied to the West Coast Double IPA style. The El Dorado, Galaxy, and Amarillo combination bridges tropical fruit and classic pine-resin bitterness in a way that feels neither retro nor trend-chasing. A 4.0 Untappd rating across thousands of reviews signals genuine repeatability—this is not a one-off hype release but a dependable entry in a strong rotating portfolio. For anyone seeking a West Coast DIPA that respects the bitter, dry traditions of the style while incorporating modern hop varietals, Devious Method makes a compelling case.
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