Allagash Hoppy Table Beer 4Pk

Allagash Hoppy Table Beer 4Pk is a Belgian-inspired session ale brewed in Portland, Maine, at 4.8% ABV. Scoring 90 on BeerAdvocate, this hop-forward table beer bridges Old World Belgian brewing tradition with bold American hop character — a low-ABV ale with surprising depth.

Quick Facts: ABV: 4.8%  |  Origin: Portland, Maine, USA  |  Style: Belgian-Style Table Beer  |  Brewery: Allagash Brewing Company

Production & Heritage

Allagash Brewing Company, founded in 1995 by Rob Tod in Portland, Maine, built its reputation on Belgian-inspired ales, most famously Allagash White. The Hoppy Table Beer draws on the Belgian "table beer" tradition — low-alcohol brews historically served at mealtimes — but redirects it through an American hop lens. The grain bill combines 2-row malt, Maris Otter, and Maine-grown organic oats for a silky body, with a subtle addition of coriander that shares aromatic compounds with certain hop varieties, bridging the spice and hop profiles. Chinook and Cascade hops provide the backbone, while dry hopping with Comet and Azacca delivers bright tropical and citrus aromatics. Fermentation with Allagash's house Belgian yeast strain adds the fruity esters and mild spice that define the brewery's house character.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Grapefruit leads immediately, followed by mild herbal hop notes and a subtle spicy yeast character. A light floral quality emerges as the beer warms.

Taste: The entry is clean and grain-forward, with oat-derived creaminess giving way to layered citrus, pine, and stone fruit at the mid-palate. The Belgian yeast imparts a soft peppery spice that interweaves with the hop bitterness rather than competing with it.

Finish: Dry and clean with a pleasant, lingering hoppy bitterness that doesn't overstay. The light body and moderate carbonation keep each sip refreshing and highly drinkable.

How to Drink Hoppy Table Beer

Pour into a tulip glass or wide-mouthed pint to release the aromatic hop oils and yeast-driven esters; a temperature around 45–50°F is ideal. Its low ABV and dry finish make it a natural session beer, but it also works in lighter beer cocktails. A Shandy made with fresh lemonade plays off the existing grapefruit character. A Radler with grapefruit soda amplifies the citrus notes without adding heaviness. A Michelada benefits from the beer's dry bitterness and light body, which balances the spice and acidity of the tomato-lime base.

Best For

• Afternoon drinking sessions where flavor matters more than alcohol content
• Pairing with a full meal — true to its table beer heritage
• Introducing craft beer drinkers to Belgian-American hybrid styles
• Warm-weather gatherings where a hop-forward but sessionable option is needed

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Hoppy Table Beer taste like? It delivers citrus, pine, and stone fruit flavors with a creamy oat body and dry, slightly bitter finish. Belgian yeast adds a soft peppery spice that complements the American hop character.

How does Hoppy Table Beer compare to De Ranke XX Bitter? Both are low-ABV Belgian-style ales with assertive bitterness, but Allagash's version leans more tropical and citrus-forward from its American dry-hop additions of Comet and Azacca. De Ranke XX Bitter tends toward a more traditional European hop bitterness with earthy, herbal tones.

Is Hoppy Table Beer good for session drinking? At 4.8% ABV, it is purpose-built for extended sessions without sacrificing hop complexity or body, making it one of the more flavorful options in the session beer category.

Where is Hoppy Table Beer made? It is brewed at Allagash Brewing Company in Portland, Maine, a brewery founded in 1995 that specializes exclusively in Belgian-inspired ales.

What foods pair well with Hoppy Table Beer? Grilled shrimp benefits from the beer's citrus hop notes. Goat cheese salads echo the tangy, dry finish. Fish tacos with lime crema align with the grapefruit aromatics. Mussels in white wine sauce honor the Belgian table beer tradition. Mild Thai curries are tempered by the beer's clean bitterness and light body.

What sizes does Hoppy Table Beer come in? It is available in a 4-pack format, which is the standard retail configuration from Allagash Brewing Company.

Is Hoppy Table Beer worth the price? It positions as a premium craft session ale, and its 90-point BeerAdvocate score and distinctive Belgian-American hybrid approach offer strong value within the specialty beer segment.

Why Hoppy Table Beer?

Allagash Hoppy Table Beer occupies a rare intersection: genuinely hop-forward yet historically grounded in the Belgian table beer tradition of low-alcohol, food-friendly brewing. The use of Maine-grown organic oats and coriander — an ingredient that shares aromatic compounds with the hop varieties used — creates a seamless bridge between Belgian spice and American citrus-pine hop character. Its 90-point BeerAdvocate rating reflects a beer that punches well above its 4.8% ABV weight class. For drinkers who want full craft flavor without the heaviness of higher-gravity IPAs, this is one of the more thoughtfully constructed session ales available.