Maplewood Endless Color 4Pk

Maplewood Endless Color 4Pk is a 5.9% ABV hoppy wheat ale from Chicago's Maplewood Brewery & Distillery, sold in a four-pack of cans. Brewed with a trio of Citra, Strata, and Azacca hops, this American pale wheat beer has earned an 87 on BeerAdvocate and a 3.7 out of 5 on Untappd from over 4,100 ratings, signaling broad and consistent drinker approval.

Quick Facts: ABV: 5.9%  |  Origin: Chicago, Illinois, USA  |  Style: Hoppy Wheat Ale  |  Brewery: Maplewood Brewery & Distillery

Production & Heritage

Maplewood Brewery & Distillery operates out of the Logan Square neighborhood in Chicago and holds the distinction of being the first combined brewery and distillery under a single roof in Illinois. Endless Color is built on a wheat ale base, giving it a pillowy body that serves as a canvas for the hop profile. The Citra, Strata, and Azacca hop combination pushes the beer toward juicy tropical territory while the wheat backbone provides structure and a smooth, approachable mouthfeel that separates it from sharper, more aggressive hop-forward styles.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Cracked wheat leads the nose, followed quickly by waves of tropical fruit — mango, papaya — and a gentle spice note from the Strata hops. Lemon-lime citrus zest rounds out the bouquet with a bright, inviting lift.

Taste: The entry is sweet and fruit-forward, with ripe tropical notes meeting the soft, bready wheat malt on the mid-palate. Azacca and Citra hops push citrus zest and stone fruit flavors into focus as the beer opens up, while the wheat keeps the mouthfeel light and smooth rather than bitter or resinous.

Finish: Clean and moderately dry, the finish lets the hop juiciness linger without cloying sweetness. A faint wheat cracker note and a final flash of citrus peel close things out crisply.

How to Drink Endless Color

Pour cold into a tulip glass or wide-mouth pint to let the hop aromatics open fully; this beer is at its best between 40–45°F. Endless Color works well in several beer-cocktail and pairing contexts:

• Shandy: Mix with fresh lemonade to amplify the citrus character on a hot afternoon.
• Radler: Blend with grapefruit soda for a lighter, effervescent drink that plays off the tropical hop profile.
• Michelada: The wheat body and fruit-forward hops provide a softer, more tropical take on the classic savory beer cocktail.

Best For

• Backyard cookouts and warm-weather sessions where a light, flavorful beer outperforms heavier IPAs
• Introducing hop-curious friends to tropical hop flavors without overwhelming bitterness
• Supporting a local Chicago brewery with a well-reviewed, accessible release
• Pairing with grilled fish tacos, Thai food, or other cuisine that benefits from citrus and fruit notes

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Endless Color taste like? Endless Color delivers sweet tropical fruit — mango, papaya, and citrus zest — on a smooth wheat malt base, finishing clean and crisp with minimal bitterness.

How does Endless Color compare to a New England IPA? Multiple reviewers note that Endless Color's juicy, hazy character reminds them of a New England IPA, but its wheat ale base gives it a lighter body and lower ABV (5.9%) than most NEIPAs, which typically range from 6.5% to 7.5% or higher.

Is Endless Color good for beginners? Yes — the 5.9% ABV, low bitterness, and fruit-forward hop profile make it an approachable entry point for anyone exploring craft beer beyond standard lagers.

Where is Endless Color made? Endless Color is brewed at Maplewood Brewery & Distillery in the Logan Square neighborhood of Chicago, Illinois — the first facility in the state to house both a brewery and a distillery under one roof.

What foods pair well with Endless Color? Grilled shrimp or fish tacos complement the citrus hop character; spicy Thai curries contrast the wheat sweetness; fresh ceviche mirrors the beer's tropical aromatics; a simple caprese salad lets the hop brightness shine; and mild soft cheeses like burrata echo the creamy wheat mouthfeel.

What sizes does Endless Color come in? Endless Color is sold in a four-pack of cans, the standard retail format for this release.

Is Endless Color worth the price? Endless Color positions as a mid-range craft wheat ale, and its BeerAdvocate score of 87 and strong Untappd showing of 3.7 across 4,100+ ratings suggest solid value within the crowded hoppy wheat and pale ale segment.

Why Endless Color?

The combination of Citra, Strata, and Azacca hops on a wheat ale frame hits a specific sweet spot: tropical and citrus-driven without the bitterness or heaviness of a full IPA. That 5.9% ABV keeps it firmly in session territory, making it practical for extended drinking in a way that most hop-forward beers simply are not. Coming from Maplewood — a dual-purpose brewery and distillery with genuine roots in Chicago's Logan Square — there is a production credibility behind this beer that casual craft labels rarely match. For drinkers who want hop flavor without hop fatigue, Endless Color delivers exactly what its name implies: bright, vivid, and sustained.