Destihl Deadhead TourBus 4Pk

Destihl Deadhead TourBus 4Pk is a double dry-hopped New England-style hazy IPA at 7.4% ABV, sold in a 4-pack of cans from DESTIHL Brewery in Normal, Illinois. This expression earned Gold Medals at the 2025 and 2021 Great American Beer Festival in the Juicy or Hazy IPA category, along with a 2022 Gold Medal at the International Beer Cup and a 92 (Outstanding) rating on BeerAdvocate.

Quick Facts: ABV: 7.4%  |  IBU: 25  |  Origin: Normal, Illinois  |  Style: Double Dry-Hopped Hazy IPA  |  Brewery: DESTIHL Brewery

Production & Heritage

DESTIHL Brewery is an independent craft brewery based in Normal, Illinois, known for its adventurous approach to beer styles. The Deadhead TourBus is built on a grain bill of 2-row malt, flaked oats, and wheat, creating the soft, pillowy body characteristic of the best New England-style IPAs. The beer is double dry-hopped with Citra and Mosaic—two of the most sought-after American hop varieties—resulting in amplified tropical and citrus aromatics without heavy bitterness. The TourBus line within the Deadhead series is designed to feature experimental and rotating hops from around the world, making each iteration a showcase for hop-forward innovation.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Vibrant citrus leads the nose with grapefruit and tangerine front and center. Behind those, waves of pineapple, passion fruit, and a subtle floral quality emerge as the beer warms.

Taste: The first sip delivers ripe cantaloupe and tangerine layered over juicy mango and grapefruit. Mid-palate, bready malt and wheat provide a sturdy backbone that keeps the tropical fruit character grounded. The 25 IBU ensures bitterness stays restrained, letting the hop-derived fruit flavors dominate.

Finish: Moderately long, with an intensely hoppy mouthfeel that resolves into light, clean bitterness and lingering berry and citrus notes. The mouthfeel is near full-bodied with moderate carbonation that adds gentle spritz to an otherwise soft, creamy texture.

How to Drink Deadhead TourBus

Serve cold, ideally between 40–45°F, in a tulip glass or standard pint to concentrate the aromatic hop oils. This beer is best enjoyed fresh to maximize the volatile hop character that defines the style. For a shandy variation, mix with fresh grapefruit juice to lean into the citrus profile. It also works well in a Michelada, where the tropical fruit notes complement lime, hot sauce, and Tajín. A beer float using mango sorbet turns the TourBus into a memorable dessert pairing.

Best For

• Backyard cookouts where hop-forward, approachable beer is the centerpiece
• Gifting to a craft beer enthusiast who values award-winning hazy IPAs
• Exploring the New England IPA style with a proven, competition-winning example
• Pairing nights with friends featuring spicy or grilled foods

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Deadhead TourBus taste like? It delivers bold tropical fruit flavors—cantaloupe, tangerine, grapefruit, and mango—supported by bready malt and wheat, finishing with restrained bitterness and a soft, pillowy mouthfeel at 7.4% ABV.

How does Deadhead TourBus compare to Sierra Nevada Hazy Little Thing? TourBus runs higher in ABV (7.4% vs. 6.7%) and is double dry-hopped with Citra and Mosaic, giving it a more concentrated tropical hop punch. Hazy Little Thing is widely available and slightly lighter-bodied, while TourBus brings multi-year GABF Gold Medal credentials and a more pronounced fruit-forward intensity.

Is Deadhead TourBus good for sipping on its own? Absolutely—its low 25 IBU, juicy fruit character, and creamy mouthfeel make it highly drinkable without any additions, especially when served fresh and cold.

Where is Deadhead TourBus made? Deadhead TourBus is brewed by DESTIHL Brewery, an independent craft operation located in Normal, Illinois. The brewery distributes across multiple states in the Midwest and beyond.

What foods pair well with Deadhead TourBus? Grilled shrimp tacos benefit from the citrus hop character cutting through charred richness. Thai green curry matches well, as the beer's fruit sweetness tempers the spice. Sharp cheddar cheese creates a satisfying contrast with the soft, creamy body. Fish and chips find balance with the beer's moderate carbonation, and mango salsa with tortilla chips echoes the tropical fruit notes directly.

What sizes does Deadhead TourBus come in? The standard retail format is a 4-pack of cans, which is the most widely available configuration for this release.

Is Deadhead TourBus worth the price? Deadhead TourBus positions as a premium craft IPA within the competitive hazy category, and its multiple GABF Gold Medals and BeerAdvocate score of 92 place it among the most decorated beers at its price tier—strong value for a double dry-hopped offering.

Why Deadhead TourBus?

Few hazy IPAs at any price point can claim Gold Medals at the Great American Beer Festival across multiple years—Deadhead TourBus took Gold in both 2021 and 2025, with an additional 2022 International Beer Cup Gold for good measure. The double dry-hop process with Citra and Mosaic amplifies tropical and citrus aromatics well beyond what a single dry-hop achieves, and the oat-and-wheat grain bill delivers the soft, full-bodied texture that defines the New England style at its best. With a 92 Outstanding rating on BeerAdvocate and over 31,000 ratings on Untappd averaging 4.1 out of 5, this is one of the most consistently well-regarded hazy IPAs produced by an independent American craft brewery.