Maplewood Charlatan 4Pk

Maplewood Charlatan 4Pk is a citrus-driven American Pale Ale brewed in Chicago at 6.1% ABV, sold in a four-pack of cans. A two-time Great American Beer Festival medal winner (2016 and 2018) in the American Pale Ale category, Charlatan has established itself as one of the Chicago craft scene's most decorated and reliable flagships, earning a 96/100 from Craft Beer & Brewing and an 89 on BeerAdvocate.

Quick Facts: ABV: 6.1%  |  IBU: 35  |  Origin: Chicago, Illinois  |  Style: American Pale Ale  |  Brewery: Maplewood Brewing Co.

Production & Heritage

Maplewood Brewing Co. operates out of Chicago's Logan Square neighborhood, producing a focused lineup of hop-forward and malt-balanced beers. Charlatan is built on a grain bill of 2-row barley, light Munich malt, Dextrin malt, Caramalt, and white wheat — a combination that delivers a light, bready backbone without overwhelming the hops. The hop schedule features Citra, Simcoe, Centennial, and Warrior varieties, layered to produce a bright citrus and tropical character up front with a grounding touch of earthy pine bitterness at 35 IBUs.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: A burst of grapefruit zest and ripe mango leads into orange peel and lemon citrus. Underneath, mild resinous pine and a hint of melon round out the nose.

Taste: The entry is crisp and bold, opening with bitter grapefruit that quickly transitions into juicy mango, orange, and peachy sweetness at mid-palate. Bready malt flavors emerge to balance the assertive hop character, while lemon zest and earthy pine notes add complexity through the finish.

Finish: Medium in length with a clean, dry bitterness that lingers without harshness. Residual citrus and faint medicinal hop resin fade gradually, encouraging another sip.

How to Drink Charlatan

Charlatan drinks best poured cold into a pint glass or shaker to let its hop aromatics open up; it is refreshing straight from the can as well. For food-friendly drinking, it holds up alongside grilled meats, spicy tacos, or a classic burger — the hop bitterness cuts through fat and richness while the citrus notes brighten each bite.

Best For

• Stocking a fridge for a weekend cookout with craft beer fans
• Introducing a macro-lager drinker to hop-forward craft beer without overwhelming them
• Pairing with bold, spicy, or grilled food
• Gifting a Chicago beer enthusiast a taste of their hometown scene

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Charlatan taste like? Charlatan leads with bright grapefruit, mango, and orange citrus balanced by a light bready malt backbone and a clean, moderately bitter finish with earthy pine undertones. It drinks crisp and bold without being overwhelmingly bitter at 35 IBUs.

How does Charlatan compare to Sierra Nevada Pale Ale? Both are American Pale Ales, but Charlatan leans more tropical and citrus-forward thanks to its heavy use of Citra and Simcoe hops, while Sierra Nevada Pale Ale showcases a more traditional floral and piney Cascade hop character. Charlatan is slightly higher in ABV at 6.1% compared to Sierra Nevada's 5.6%, with a more modern, fruit-driven hop profile.

Is Charlatan good for someone new to craft beer? Yes — at 35 IBUs it delivers big hop flavor without the aggressive bitterness of an IPA, making it an approachable gateway into hop-forward styles. The citrus and tropical fruit notes are immediately appealing to palates not yet accustomed to resinous or piney hops.

Where is Charlatan made? Charlatan is brewed by Maplewood Brewing Co. in Chicago, Illinois, in the city's Logan Square neighborhood. It is part of Maplewood's core lineup of Chicago-brewed craft beers.

What foods pair well with Charlatan? Grilled chicken or pork — the citrus hops complement charred, smoky meat. Spicy fish tacos — the carbonation and bitterness cut through heat and richness. Sharp cheddar cheese — the malt sweetness balances the cheese's intensity. Thai green curry — the tropical hop character echoes the dish's lemongrass and lime notes. Wood-fired pizza — the bready malt backbone mirrors dough while hop bitterness offsets oily cheese.

What sizes does Charlatan come in? Charlatan is commonly available in four-packs of cans, which is the standard retail format for this beer.

Is Charlatan worth the price? Charlatan positions as a mid-range craft pale ale, and its two GABF medals and 96/100 score from Craft Beer & Brewing suggest it punches well above its weight in a crowded category. For a flagship American Pale Ale with consistent critical acclaim, it represents strong value among Chicago craft offerings.

Why Charlatan?

Winning two Great American Beer Festival medals in the American Pale Ale category — in 2016 and 2018 — places Charlatan in rare company among the thousands of pale ales brewed nationally each year. Its grain bill, built around 2-row barley and white wheat, provides a lighter, crisper canvas than many competitors, allowing the Citra, Simcoe, Centennial, and Warrior hop combination to deliver its full citrus-tropical punch without malt heaviness getting in the way. A 96/100 from Craft Beer & Brewing and a strong 89 on BeerAdvocate reinforce what the festival judges confirmed: this is a carefully dialed-in pale ale that executes its style with precision. For drinkers who want big hop flavor without the boozy weight of an IPA, Charlatan remains one of Chicago's most compelling answers.