Phase Three Midwest Sound 4Pk is a hop-saturated Imperial IPA from Phase Three Brewing, packaged as a 4-pack of 16-ounce cans. Brewed in collaboration with Eagle Park Brewing, this release showcases a distinctive hop bill that blends traditional varieties with terpene-enhanced Abstrax hops — a modern technique that amplifies aromatic intensity without additional vegetal bitterness. Phase Three ranks among the top breweries in the United States according to Beer & Brewing magazine's reader-voted Best in Beer list, and Midwest Sound represents the kind of ambitious, ingredient-forward release that built that reputation.Quick Facts: Style: Imperial IPA | Origin: Lake Zurich, Illinois | Format: 4-pack, 16 oz cans | Brewery: Phase Three Brewing | Collaboration: Eagle Park BrewingProduction & HeritagePhase Three Brewing operates out of Lake Zurich, Illinois, a suburb northwest of Chicago, where it has built a national following through relentless focus on hop quality and a willingness to push ingredient costs well beyond industry norms. Midwest Sound uses a grain bill incorporating oats and wheat to achieve the brewery's signature pillowy, full-bodied mouthfeel that supports dense hop layering. The hop lineup — Krush, Galaxy, Nelson, Nelson Abstrax, and Citra Abstrax — is particularly notable; by pairing standard hop varieties with their Abstrax terpene-enhanced counterparts, the brew layers traditional lupulin character alongside concentrated aromatic compounds for a more complex, multi-dimensional tropical profile.Tasting NotesAroma: Ripe tropical fruit leads immediately — mango, papaya, and overripe pineapple rise from the pour with striking intensity. A secondary wave of citrus zest and soft resinous pine rounds out an inviting, complex hop bouquet.Taste: The entry is plush and juice-forward, with concentrated mango and stone fruit sweetness spreading across the palate. Mid-palate, a gentle bitterness emerges alongside tangerine pith and melon. Passion fruit and additional citrus layers build toward peak intensity without ever turning sharp or astringent.Finish: A moderate resinous bitterness anchors the close, providing structure without drying out the soft, creamy body. Lingering mango and tangerine fade slowly, leaving a clean tropical impression.How to Drink Midwest SoundPour into a tulip glass or stemless wine glass at around 40–45°F to let the aromatic hop oils open fully; drinking straight from the can mutes much of the complexity this beer was built to deliver. This Imperial IPA is best enjoyed fresh and on its own — its dense tropical character and pillowy body are engineered for pure hop appreciation rather than cocktail mixing.Best For Sharing with fellow hop enthusiasts who appreciate boundary-pushing IPAs Blind tastings comparing Midwest haze breweries against East Coast counterparts A weekend cookout centerpiece alongside grilled foods that complement tropical hop character Gifting to a craft beer collector who follows limited collaboration releases Frequently Asked QuestionsWhat does Midwest Sound taste like? Midwest Sound delivers a juicy, tropical-fruit-forward profile dominated by mango, pineapple, tangerine, and passion fruit, all supported by a soft, creamy body and moderate resinous bitterness on the finish.How does Midwest Sound compare to Other Half DDH releases? Both breweries push aggressive hopping rates in their Imperial IPAs, but Phase Three tends toward a softer, more pillowy mouthfeel, while Other Half often leans into a slightly more assertive bitterness and a drier finish. Midwest Sound's use of Abstrax terpene-enhanced hops alongside traditional varieties adds an additional aromatic dimension not typically found in Other Half's hop combinations.Is Midwest Sound good for IPA beginners? As an Imperial IPA with dense hop saturation and elevated alcohol, Midwest Sound is better suited to drinkers already familiar with hazy IPAs. Its soft body and restrained bitterness are approachable relative to the style, but it drinks with significant intensity.Where is Midwest Sound made? Midwest Sound is brewed at Phase Three Brewing in Lake Zurich, Illinois, a suburb located northwest of Chicago in the greater Chicagoland area. It is a collaboration with Eagle Park Brewing, a fellow Midwest brewery.What foods pair well with Midwest Sound? Grilled shrimp tacos with mango salsa echo the beer's tropical notes. Spicy Thai green curry provides a heat contrast that highlights the hop sweetness. A sharp aged cheddar creates tension against the soft, juicy body. Fish and chips benefit from the beer's moderate bitterness cutting through fried richness. Citrus-dressed poke bowls mirror the tangerine and passion fruit hop character.What sizes does Midwest Sound come in? Midwest Sound is available as a 4-pack of 16-ounce (pint) cans, the standard format for Phase Three's hop-forward releases.Is Midwest Sound worth the price? Midwest Sound positions in the premium tier for Imperial IPAs, reflecting Phase Three's above-industry-norm ingredient costs, the collaboration element with Eagle Park, and the use of specialty Abstrax hop products. For dedicated hop enthusiasts, the layered complexity and aromatic intensity deliver tangible quality that justifies the premium over standard-shelf IPAs.Why Midwest Sound?The defining feature of this release is the dual-layer hop approach: standard Galaxy, Nelson, Krush, and Citra varieties paired with their Abstrax terpene-enhanced equivalents, creating aromatic depth that single-method hopping cannot replicate. Phase Three's grain bill — built around oats and wheat for maximum body and minimal astringency — gives those hop oils a pillowy canvas that amplifies fruit character rather than burying it in bitterness. As a collaboration with Eagle Park, Midwest Sound also represents a meeting of two of the Midwest's most respected hop-driven breweries, each contributing perspective on how to push the Imperial IPA format forward. The result is a beer that sits at the intersection of craft innovation and pure drinkability — dense with flavor, soft in texture, and unmistakably modern in its approach to hopping.
