Maplewood Green Crest 4Pk

Maplewood Green Crest 4Pk is a hop-forward IPA from Chicago's Maplewood Brewing Company, packaged in a four-pack of 16-ounce cans at 6.8% ABV. This expression showcases the brewery's reputation for producing bold, aromatic IPAs that lean into modern American hop profiles.

Quick Facts: ABV: 6.8%  |  Origin: Chicago, Illinois, USA  |  Style: IPA  |  Brewery: Maplewood Brewing Company  |  Format: 4-Pack, 16oz Cans

Production & Heritage

Maplewood Brewing Company was founded in 2014 by Adam Cieslak and Ari Megalis in Chicago's Logan Square neighborhood. The brewery quickly built a following for its hop-centric IPAs, including the popular Son of Juice and Charlatan lines. Green Crest sits within Maplewood's IPA portfolio as a showcase for the brewery's approach to American-style hop expression, emphasizing aromatic intensity and drinkability in the now-standard 16-ounce tallboy format.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Expect a pronounced hop bouquet led by citrus peel and tropical fruit. Underneath, hints of pine resin and a light bready malt sweetness provide balance.

Taste: The entry is bright with grapefruit and orange citrus, moving into a juicy mid-palate where stone fruit and mango notes emerge. A measured bitterness builds toward the back, grounding the sweeter hop flavors with a firm, resinous backbone.

Finish: Medium in length with a clean, dry bitterness that lingers alongside faint tropical fruit. The carbonation lifts the palate and keeps the finish crisp rather than heavy.

How to Drink Green Crest

Green Crest drinks best cold, poured into a tulip glass or straight from the can. Its hop intensity and moderate ABV make it an ideal standalone sipper, though it also holds up well as a versatile pairing beer. Try it alongside spicy tacos, where the citrus hops cut through heat; with a loaded burger, where the bitterness balances rich fat; or with Thai green curry, where the tropical hop notes echo the dish's aromatic complexity.

Best For

• Stocking the fridge for a weekend cookout with hop-loving friends
• Exploring Chicago's craft beer scene beyond the usual suspects
• Pairing with bold, spicy foods that demand a beer with backbone
• Bringing to a bottle share as a reliably well-made Midwest IPA

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Green Crest taste like? Green Crest delivers a citrus-driven IPA profile with grapefruit, tropical fruit, and a clean, resinous bitterness that finishes dry and refreshing.

How does Green Crest compare to Maplewood Son of Juice? Son of Juice leans into the hazy, New England-style IPA category with a softer, juicier mouthfeel, while Green Crest presents a more classically structured bitterness and drier finish within Maplewood's IPA lineup.

Is Green Crest good for IPA beginners? At 6.8% ABV with approachable citrus and fruit hop character, Green Crest is a solid entry point for drinkers looking to explore IPAs without diving into extreme bitterness or high-gravity territory.

Where is Green Crest made? Green Crest is brewed by Maplewood Brewing Company in the Logan Square neighborhood of Chicago, Illinois.

What foods pair well with Green Crest? Grilled chicken with citrus marinade mirrors the hop profile; fish tacos with mango salsa complement the tropical notes; sharp cheddar cheese contrasts the bitterness; buffalo wings find balance against the dry finish; and wood-fired pizza with its charred crust stands up to the hop intensity.

What sizes does Green Crest come in? Green Crest is available in a four-pack of 16-ounce cans, the standard tallboy format favored by many craft breweries.

Is Green Crest worth the price? Green Crest positions as a craft IPA in the mid-range value tier — competitive with other quality four-pack tallboy IPAs from respected regional breweries, and it delivers solid hop character for the format.

Why Green Crest?

Maplewood Brewing has earned its standing among Chicago's best craft producers on the strength of its hop-forward beers, and Green Crest reflects that focus. The 16-ounce can format at 6.8% ABV hits a sweet spot between sessionability and intensity. For drinkers who appreciate a well-executed IPA with genuine hop complexity rather than gimmicks, Green Crest represents what a focused Midwest brewery does when it sticks to its strengths.