Maplewood Big Pulpy 4Pk

Maplewood Big Pulpy 4Pk is a double dry-hopped hazy Imperial IPA from Chicago, Illinois, sold in a 4-pack at 8.0% ABV. Scored a 91 on BeerAdvocate, this bold New England–style double IPA layers tropical fruit intensity with a pillowy, creamy mouthfeel that has earned it a devoted following among haze enthusiasts.

Quick Facts: ABV: 8.0%  |  Origin: Chicago, Illinois  |  Style: Imperial / Double New England Hazy IPA  |  Brewery: Maplewood Brewery & Distillery

Production & Heritage

Maplewood Brewery & Distillery operates out of the Logan Square neighborhood on Chicago's northwest side, running both brewing and distilling operations under one roof. Big Pulpy is double dry-hopped with a trio of American hops — Citra, Mosaic, and El Dorado — chosen for their combined tropical punch and resinous depth. The result is a hazy, unfiltered Imperial IPA that leans heavily into the New England style, prioritizing juice-forward flavor and soft texture over bitterness. For the brewery's fourth anniversary, a special quadruple dry-hopped variant was produced, further underscoring how central this hop combination is to the Big Pulpy identity.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Ripe mango dominates the nose immediately, followed by waves of pineapple and a subtle dank, resinous undertone from the Mosaic and El Dorado hops. A faint honeyed sweetness rounds out the aromatics without veering into cloying territory.

Taste: The entry is soft and juicy, hitting the palate with a rush of tropical mango and crisp pineapple. Mid-palate, a creamy body carries the hop oils forward while maintaining an impressive balance — the bitterness is present but restrained, allowing the fruit character to lead. At 8.0% ABV, there is noticeable warmth, though it integrates cleanly rather than announcing itself.

Finish: Medium-long with a lingering dankness and a final flash of citrus pith that dries the palate just enough. The creamy texture fades gradually, leaving behind a gentle, resinous hop echo.

How to Drink Big Pulpy

Pour it cold into a tulip glass or stemless wine glass to concentrate the aromatic oils — this beer rewards a proper pour rather than drinking straight from the can. Big Pulpy is best enjoyed fresh and on its own, but it also works in beer-forward mixed drinks: try it in a Beermosa, where its mango and pineapple notes amplify fresh orange juice; in a Michelada, where the tropical haze softens the spice and lime; or as the base of a Beer Shandy with lemonade, letting the hop fruit layer over the tartness.

Best For

• Hazy IPA collectors sampling top-rated Chicago craft
• Backyard cookouts where a bold, tropical beer stands up to grilled food
• Gifting to a craft beer enthusiast who values hop-forward double IPAs
• Weekend sessions when something flavorful but not barrel-aged fits the mood

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Big Pulpy taste like? Big Pulpy delivers a pronounced mango and pineapple flavor profile with a creamy, full body and restrained bitterness, characteristic of the New England hazy IPA style. A mild dank, resinous quality from its Citra, Mosaic, and El Dorado hops adds depth without overwhelming the fruit.

How does Big Pulpy compare to Sierra Nevada Hazy Little Thing? Hazy Little Thing is a standard-strength hazy IPA at 6.7% ABV, while Big Pulpy is an Imperial/Double IPA at 8.0% with significantly more body and hop intensity from its double dry-hopping process. Big Pulpy reads as richer, creamier, and more tropically saturated, reflecting its higher gravity and more aggressive hopping schedule.

Is Big Pulpy good for sipping on its own? Yes — its creamy mouthfeel and layered tropical fruit character make it well-suited to drinking on its own, especially when poured into a proper glass at refrigerator temperature to let the aromas open up.

Where is Big Pulpy made? Big Pulpy is brewed at Maplewood Brewery & Distillery in the Logan Square neighborhood of Chicago, Illinois. Maplewood operates as a combined brewery and distillery, producing both beer and spirits at the same facility.

What foods pair well with Big Pulpy? Spicy fish tacos work well, as the creamy hop character tempers the heat. Grilled pork with a mango salsa mirrors the beer's tropical profile. Thai green curry complements the citrus and dank hop notes. A simple charcuterie board with aged cheddar contrasts the soft body, and coconut shrimp echoes the tropical sweetness.

What sizes does Big Pulpy come in? Big Pulpy is commonly available in 4-packs of cans, which is the standard retail format for this release.

Is Big Pulpy worth the price? Big Pulpy positions in the craft double IPA tier, where pricing reflects small-batch production and generous dry-hopping with premium hop varieties. Its 91-point BeerAdvocate score and 4.2 Untappd rating suggest it delivers strong value relative to other imperial hazy IPAs in its class.

Why Big Pulpy?

What separates Big Pulpy from the crowded hazy IPA field is the specific synergy of its three-hop bill — Citra, Mosaic, and El Dorado — applied through a double dry-hopping process that maximizes aromatic oil extraction without adding harshness. The 91-point BeerAdvocate score and over 5,400 ratings on Untappd at a 4.2 average reflect consistent quality across batches, not just a single standout release. Brewed in a neighborhood facility that doubles as a working distillery, Big Pulpy carries a distinctly Chicago identity rooted in craft-scale production. For drinkers who want a hazy double IPA that commits fully to tropical intensity while maintaining drinkability at 8.0% ABV, this is one of the more reliable options coming out of the Midwest.