Phase Three Vivid Light 4Pk is a clear American IPA from Phase Three Brewing Company in Lake Zurich, Illinois, at 6.25% ABV. Unlike the hazy, turbid IPAs that dominate today's craft beer landscape, Vivid Light takes a deliberately transparent approach—dank, resinous, and built on a five-hop bill that nods to West Coast tradition while maintaining the drinkability Phase Three is known for. Quick Facts: ABV: 6.25% | Origin: Lake Zurich, Illinois | Style: American IPA | Brewery: Phase Three Brewing Company Production & Heritage Phase Three Brewing Company operates out of Lake Zurich, Illinois, and has earned recognition as one of the top 50 breweries in the United States according to Beer & Brewing Magazine reader voting. Vivid Light is hopped with Columbus, Cascade, Centennial, Amarillo, and Simcoe—a combination that spans classic bittering, floral, and tropical-leaning varieties. The result is a clear, filtered IPA that showcases hop character without the protein haze and yeast turbidity found in the New England style, emphasizing resin and pine over juice and pulp. Tasting Notes Aroma: Pine sap leads immediately, followed by a layer of dank, herbal resin and a zesty citrus undercurrent. Subtle floral notes emerge as the beer warms slightly in the glass. Taste: The entry is crisp and clean, with a firm bitterness that develops across the mid-palate into resinous pine and grapefruit pith. Cascade and Amarillo contribute a citrus-forward brightness that balances the heavier Columbus and Simcoe backbone, keeping the beer from tipping into aggressive territory. Finish: Moderately dry with lingering pine and a light herbal bitterness that fades cleanly. The malt presence is restrained throughout, letting the hops occupy center stage without residual sweetness. How to Drink Vivid Light Pour into a standard pint glass or a tulip to concentrate the aromatic pine and citrus. Serve cold—around 40–45°F—to preserve the crispness that defines this beer. Vivid Light is designed as a straightforward drinking IPA; it pairs well with food but stands confidently on its own. For cocktail-adjacent serves, try a Michelada riff using Vivid Light as the base beer, where its resinous bitterness complements hot sauce and lime; a Beer-a-Rita shandy with fresh grapefruit juice that echoes the hop citrus; or a Boilermaker alongside a pour of bourbon, where the pine and dank hop character holds up against barrel-aged richness. Best For Sharing with friends who appreciate hop-forward beer without the haze trend Backyard grilling sessions where crisp, bitter drinkability keeps pace with charred food Introducing someone to Phase Three's range beyond their acclaimed stouts and pastry styles Stocking a fridge for game day with a craft option that rewards repeated pours Frequently Asked Questions What does Vivid Light taste like? Vivid Light delivers dank, piney hop character with zesty citrus notes in a clear, crisp body. It drinks cleaner and drier than most modern IPAs, with firm bitterness and minimal malt sweetness. How does Vivid Light compare to a traditional West Coast IPA? Vivid Light shares the clarity, pine-forward hop profile, and dry finish associated with West Coast IPAs, but at 6.25% ABV it sits at a slightly more sessionable strength than many examples in that style, which often range from 6.5% to 7.5% ABV. Is Vivid Light good for IPA beginners? Its moderate ABV and clean presentation make it more approachable than many aggressively bitter IPAs, though its dank, resinous character is squarely aimed at drinkers who already enjoy hop bitterness. Where is Vivid Light made? Vivid Light is brewed by Phase Three Brewing Company in Lake Zurich, Illinois, a suburb northwest of Chicago. Phase Three has been recognized among the top 50 breweries in the country by Beer & Brewing Magazine. What foods pair well with Vivid Light? Grilled burgers benefit from the beer's bitter cut through fat and char. Fish tacos with lime crema echo the citrus hop notes. Sharp cheddar cheese contrasts the pine resin nicely. Spicy Thai basil dishes find balance against the beer's herbal, floral hop layers. Pepperoni pizza is a classic pairing where hoppy bitterness cleans the palate between bites. What sizes does Vivid Light come in? Vivid Light is sold as a 4-pack of cans, which is the standard retail format for this expression. Is Vivid Light worth the price? Vivid Light positions as a craft IPA from a highly regarded independent brewery, placing it in the premium tier for American IPAs. The five-hop bill and Phase Three's reputation support its positioning relative to mass-market craft alternatives. Why Vivid Light? In a market saturated with hazy, juicy IPAs, Vivid Light is a deliberate counterpoint—clear, resinous, and unapologetically bitter. The Columbus, Cascade, Centennial, Amarillo, and Simcoe hop combination is a who's-who of American hop royalty, and Phase Three executes the blend with the same precision that earned the brewery national recognition. At 6.25% ABV, it occupies a sweet spot between session strength and full-bodied IPA weight, making it repeatable without sacrificing intensity. For drinkers who want their hops front and center without the smoothie-like texture of haze, this is a clear case—literally—for what American IPA can still be.
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