Maplewood Green Crest 4Pk

Maplewood Green Crest 4Pk is a West Coast IPA from Chicago's Maplewood Brewing Company, sold in four 16 oz cans at 6.8% ABV. Scored 89/100 by both Craft Beer & Brewing Magazine and BeerAdvocate, the beer stands out for its uncommon three-hop combination of Chinook, Amarillo, and Comet — a heritage American variety rarely seen in the style.

Quick Facts: ABV: 6.8%  |  Origin: Chicago, Illinois  |  Style: West Coast IPA  |  Brewery: Maplewood Brewing Company

Production & Heritage

Maplewood Brewing Company operates out of Chicago's Logan Square neighborhood, producing a focused lineup of beers and spirits. Green Crest follows a traditional West Coast IPA approach — dry, bitter, hop-forward — but distinguishes itself through that Chinook, Amarillo, and Comet hop bill. Chinook provides a resinous pine backbone, Amarillo contributes tropical orange character, and Comet — a heritage hop originally bred in the 1970s — adds a wild, grapefruit-heavy citrus punch with a slightly funky edge that gives the beer its layered complexity.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Fresh-cut pine leads, followed by bright orange peel and a subtle caramel sweetness from the malt base. A thread of grapefruit zest rounds out the nose.

Taste: The entry is juicy and citrus-driven — apricot and peach dominate the front palate before pivoting to grapefruit and pine resin at mid-palate. A sturdy but restrained malt backbone keeps the hop intensity grounded, and the beer drinks surprisingly smooth for a full West Coast profile. The body is medium, crisp, and golden.

Finish: Clean and dry with a lingering bitterness that recalls grapefruit pith and pine needle. The dryness pulls everything taut, encouraging another sip without leaving residual sweetness behind.

How to Drink Green Crest

Pour into a tulip glass or IPA glass to concentrate the aromatic hop oils; a cold-but-not-frigid temperature around 45–50°F lets the Comet hop's citrus nuances open up fully. Green Crest is best enjoyed fresh and on its own, but it holds its own in beer cocktails as well. A Michelada benefits from Green Crest's grapefruit bitterness cutting through lime and hot sauce. A Shandy made with fresh lemonade tempers the resinous edge into a sessionable warm-weather drink. A Beer-a-Rita plays the tropical peach and apricot notes against salted rims and citrus juice.

Best For

• Hop-forward IPA fans exploring Midwest-brewed West Coast styles
• Weekend cookouts where bold beer needs to match grilled foods
• Gifting to a craft beer enthusiast who appreciates unusual hop bills
• Side-by-side tastings comparing regional takes on the West Coast IPA

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Green Crest taste like? Green Crest delivers bright grapefruit, peach, and apricot hop flavors layered over a sturdy caramel malt base, finishing dry and bitter with lingering pine resin. It drinks smoother and more approachable than many West Coast IPAs despite its assertive hop character.

How does Green Crest compare to Bell's Two Hearted Ale? Both are Midwest-brewed, hop-driven IPAs in the same ABV range with grapefruit and pine notes, but Two Hearted uses a single hop — Centennial — and leans toward a fuller malt body. Green Crest's three-hop bill (Chinook, Amarillo, Comet) creates a more layered citrus profile and a drier, more classically West Coast finish.

Is Green Crest good for IPA beginners? Its clean bitterness and smooth drinkability make it more accessible than many aggressive West Coast IPAs, though the dry finish and 6.8% ABV still represent a step up from lighter pale ales. Beginners comfortable with citrus-forward beers will find a lot to enjoy here.

Where is Green Crest made? Green Crest is brewed by Maplewood Brewing Company in Chicago, Illinois. The brewery is based in the Logan Square neighborhood and produces both beer and spirits.

What foods pair well with Green Crest? Grilled burgers or bratwurst match the malt backbone and let the hops cut through fat. Spicy fish tacos with mango salsa complement the tropical hop notes. Sharp cheddar or pepper jack cheese mirrors the beer's intensity. Thai green curry works well, as the bitterness balances coconut richness. Orange-glazed grilled chicken echoes the Amarillo hop's citrus character.

What sizes does Green Crest come in? Green Crest is sold in a 4-pack of 16 oz cans, the standard format for this release from Maplewood Brewing Company.

Is Green Crest worth the price? Green Crest positions in the mid-range craft IPA tier, competitive with other premium Midwest-brewed IPAs. Its 89/100 scores from both Craft Beer & Brewing Magazine and BeerAdvocate, combined with its distinctive Comet hop inclusion, give it strong value against similarly priced West Coast IPAs.

Why Green Crest?

The defining feature here is the Comet hop — a heritage American variety from the 1970s that most West Coast IPA brewers overlook in favor of trendier cultivars. Its wild grapefruit intensity, combined with Chinook's pine structure and Amarillo's tropical brightness, produces a hop profile that is both familiar and genuinely distinctive within the category. Green Crest earned an 89 from Craft Beer & Brewing Magazine in their Summer 2025 "IPA on the World Stage" issue, affirming its place among respected IPAs nationally. For drinkers who want classic West Coast dryness and bitterness but with more citrus complexity than a typical entry, this Chicago-brewed four-pack delivers exactly that.