Maplewood Fizzle Drizzle 4Pk

Maplewood Fizzle Drizzle 4Pk is a rotating series of fruited sour ales from Chicago's Maplewood Brewery & Distillery, typically 6.5% ABV, sold in a 4-pack of cans. Each release spotlights a different fruit combination, and the series has earned strong community acclaim — the Blu Razzberry variant holds a 4.5 out of 5 on BeerAdvocate and a 4.0 on Untappd across hundreds of ratings.

Quick Facts: ABV: ~6.5% (varies by variant; some imperial batches reach 8.5%)  |  Origin: Logan Square, Chicago, Illinois  |  Style: Fruited Kettle Sour / Imperial Sour Ale  |  Brewery: Maplewood Brewery & Distillery

Production & Heritage

Maplewood Brewery & Distillery operates out of Chicago's Logan Square neighborhood, running both brewing and distilling operations under one roof. The Fizzle Drizzle series is built on a sour ale base that incorporates oats and lactose to create a fuller body and smoother mouthfeel than a typical kettle sour. Each batch receives a heavy charge of fruit — some variants see hundreds of pounds of whole fruit per batch, such as the raspberry edition brewed with 250 pounds of raspberries and dry hopped with El Dorado hops. The series rotates flavors regularly, meaning each release is a limited run showcasing a different fruit profile.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose varies by variant but consistently delivers bright, candy-like fruit intensity. Past releases have shown aromas ranging from blue raspberry slushy and boysenberry to tart pink lemonade and sour apple, with the lactose base lending a subtle creamy sweetness underneath.

Taste: The first sip lands with pronounced tartness that quickly gives way to ripe, juicy fruit flavors. Mid-palate, the oat and lactose additions soften the acidity and introduce a round, almost smoothie-like texture. The fruit character stays dominant throughout — sweet raspberry purée, lemon juice, and strawberry candy have all been noted across different batches.

Finish: The finish is moderately short with a clean, refreshing tartness that lingers without becoming puckering. A faint residual sweetness from the lactose keeps the ending balanced rather than bone-dry.

How to Drink Fizzle Drizzle

Fizzle Drizzle drinks best poured cold into a tulip glass or wide-mouth tumbler to release its fruit aromatics. It is designed to be enjoyed on its own as a standalone sipper. For those who enjoy beer cocktails, the tart fruit profile works well in a Berliner Weisse–style serve with a splash of elderflower syrup, in a shandy-style blend with fresh lemonade, or as a fruited sour float layered over a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a playful dessert pairing.

Best For

• Warm-weather drinking sessions on a patio or rooftop
• Introducing sour-curious friends to the fruited sour style
• Pairing with brunch spreads or lighter fare
• Gifting to craft beer collectors who seek limited-run Chicago releases

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Fizzle Drizzle taste like? Fizzle Drizzle delivers a bright, tart, fruit-forward flavor with a soft, creamy body from added oats and lactose. The specific fruit character changes with each rotating variant, ranging from blue raspberry and boysenberry to pink lemonade and strawberry.

How does Fizzle Drizzle compare to other fruited sours? Fizzle Drizzle distinguishes itself with heavier fruit additions — sometimes hundreds of pounds per batch — and a lactose-and-oat base that gives it more body than a standard kettle sour. The result is closer to a fruit smoothie sour than the thinner, more acidic profile typical of traditional Berliner Weisse–style beers.

Is Fizzle Drizzle good for sour beer beginners? Yes — the lactose and oat additions temper the acidity significantly, making it more approachable than sharply tart sours while still delivering genuine sour ale character.

Where is Fizzle Drizzle made? Fizzle Drizzle is brewed at Maplewood Brewery & Distillery in the Logan Square neighborhood of Chicago, Illinois. Maplewood operates as a combined brewery and distillery.

What foods pair well with Fizzle Drizzle? Fresh fruit tarts complement the beer's own fruit character. Soft, creamy cheeses like chèvre or burrata echo its lactose richness. Lighter brunch dishes — think lemon ricotta pancakes or a mixed berry salad — mirror its bright acidity. Fried chicken sliders provide a satisfying contrast of salt and fat against the tartness. Vanilla panna cotta or cheesecake work well as dessert pairings.

What sizes does Fizzle Drizzle come in? Fizzle Drizzle is commonly available in 4-packs of cans, which is the standard retail format for this series.

Is Fizzle Drizzle worth the price? Fizzle Drizzle positions as a premium craft sour ale, and its heavy fruit additions, rotating limited-batch format, and strong community ratings — including a 4.5 out of 5 on BeerAdvocate for the Blu Razzberry variant — support its place in the upper tier of fruited sour pricing.

Why Fizzle Drizzle?

The Fizzle Drizzle series stands out because of its commitment to massive real-fruit additions in every batch, giving each variant an intensity that many competing fruited sours simply do not match. The oat-and-lactose base is a deliberate choice that sets it apart from thinner kettle sours, delivering a textural richness that rewards slow sipping. Its rotating release schedule means each variant has genuine scarcity, and the consistently strong ratings across multiple platforms confirm that Maplewood is executing at a high level batch after batch. For anyone drawn to the intersection of tart, fruity, and full-bodied, this series from one of Chicago's most distinctive brewery-distillery hybrids is well worth tracking down.