Hop Butcher Through the Uprights 4Pk

Hop Butcher Through the Uprights 4Pk is a 7.7% ABV Double India Pale Ale from Hop Butcher For The World, sold as a four-pack of 16 oz cans. Built on a four-hop blend of Citra, Nelson Sauvin, Amarillo, and Simcoe, this DIPA carries a strong 4.1 out of 5 rating on Untappd across more than 2,100 reviews — a reliable indicator of consistent quality in a style crowded with one-off releases.

Quick Facts: ABV: 7.7%  |  Origin: Bedford Park, Illinois  |  Style: Double IPA  |  Brewery: Hop Butcher For The World  |  Format: 4-pack, 16 oz cans

Production & Heritage

Hop Butcher For The World operates out of Bedford Park, a suburb just southwest of Chicago, and has earned a devoted following for its rotating lineup of hazy, hop-forward ales. Through the Uprights belongs to their Double IPA tier, leaning on a carefully selected quartet of hops — Citra and Amarillo for citrus-driven punch, Nelson Sauvin for its distinctive white grape and gooseberry character, and Simcoe for resinous depth. Like much of the Hop Butcher catalog, this release is designed to be consumed fresh, prioritizing hop aromatics and soft mouthfeel over bitterness.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The hop bill suggests a layered nose led by ripe tropical fruit and citrus peel from the Citra and Amarillo, followed by the white grape and gooseberry notes characteristic of Nelson Sauvin. A subtle resinous, piney undertone from the Simcoe rounds out the aromatics.

Taste: The entry is soft and juicy, typical of the modern hazy DIPA style, with tropical fruit and orange citrus hitting first. At mid-palate, the Nelson Sauvin influence introduces a slightly vinous, almost white-wine-like quality that distinguishes this from single-note citrus bombs. Bitterness stays restrained, with the 7.7% ABV well-hidden beneath the hop intensity.

Finish: Medium in length with a light resinous grip and lingering notes of grapefruit pith and stone fruit. The finish stays clean rather than cloying, encouraging the next sip without palate fatigue.

How to Drink Through the Uprights

Pour cold into a tulip glass or wide-mouthed IPA glass to maximize the aromatic expression of the four-hop blend. Drinking directly from the can is common but sacrifices much of the nose. This DIPA pairs well in a Michelada riff, where its tropical profile complements hot sauce and lime; works as the base for a Beer-garita, blended with tequila and citrus for a hop-forward twist; and brings depth to a Hop Shandy, mixed with fresh lemonade to tame the ABV on warm days.

Best For

• Game-day gatherings where quality craft beer replaces macro lagers
• Gifting a hop-obsessed friend who tracks brewery drops
• Pairing with backyard grilling — burgers, wings, smoked sausage
• Exploring the hazy DIPA style beyond East Coast flagships

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Through the Uprights taste like? Through the Uprights delivers juicy tropical fruit and citrus flavors with a distinctive white grape note from the Nelson Sauvin hops, balanced by soft bitterness and a clean, resinous finish.

How does Through the Uprights compare to other Hop Butcher DIPAs? Hop Butcher rotates hop combinations across their DIPA releases, and Through the Uprights stands apart due to the inclusion of Nelson Sauvin, which contributes a vinous, gooseberry character not found in their more purely citrus-driven offerings.

Is Through the Uprights good for IPA beginners? At 7.7% ABV with restrained bitterness and a fruit-forward profile, it is approachable for newcomers to the Double IPA style, though experienced hop fans will appreciate its complexity most.

Where is Through the Uprights made? Through the Uprights is brewed by Hop Butcher For The World in Bedford Park, Illinois, located in the greater Chicago metropolitan area.

What foods pair well with Through the Uprights? Spicy chicken tacos benefit from the beer's tropical sweetness cutting through the heat. Sharp cheddar or aged gouda echo the resinous hop character. Fish and chips find a natural companion in the citrus-forward profile. Grilled pineapple or mango desserts mirror the fruit notes in the hop bill.

What sizes does Through the Uprights come in? Through the Uprights is sold as a four-pack of 16 oz (pint) cans, the standard format for Hop Butcher's DIPA releases.

Is Through the Uprights worth the price? Through the Uprights positions as a premium craft DIPA, priced in line with other top-tier hazy double IPAs from respected regional breweries. Its 4.1 Untappd rating across thousands of reviews suggests strong value within the category.

Why Through the Uprights?

The inclusion of Nelson Sauvin alongside Citra, Amarillo, and Simcoe gives this DIPA a dimension that many competitors in the hazy IPA space lack — a vinous, almost Sauvignon Blanc-like quality layered into the expected tropical and citrus framework. Hop Butcher has built its reputation on disciplined hop selection and fresh-release distribution, and Through the Uprights reflects that approach. With a 4.1 rating on Untappd from over 2,100 reviewers, it has proven consistent enough to stand out in a style defined by fleeting, one-batch releases. For anyone serious about exploring what the Midwest hop scene produces at its best, this is a credible entry point.