Maplewood Juice Jorts 4Pk

Maplewood Juice Jorts 4Pk is a double dry-hopped hazy pale ale from Chicago's Maplewood Brewery & Distillery, clocking in at 6% ABV in a convenient 4-pack. Scoring an 88 on BeerAdvocate and holding a 4.0 rating across more than 10,000 reviews on Untappd, Juice Jorts has earned recognition as one of the standout hazy offerings from a brewery Chicago Magazine and The Chicago Tribune have credited as a critical player in the Windy City's haze craze.

Quick Facts: ABV: 6%  |  Origin: Chicago, Illinois  |  Style: Hazy Pale Ale  |  Brewery: Maplewood Brewery & Distillery (Logan Square)

Production & Heritage

Maplewood Brewery & Distillery operates out of the Logan Square neighborhood of Chicago and holds the distinction of being Illinois' first combination brewery and distillery, handcrafting both beer and artisan spirits under a single roof. Juice Jorts is double dry-hopped with a trio of American hop varieties — Citra, Azacca, and El Dorado — each selected for its tropical and citrus-forward character. The result is a turbid, unfiltered pale ale that prioritizes hop aromatics and juice-like drinkability over bitterness, slotting in below the brewery's IPA-strength offerings while delivering comparable flavor intensity at a sessionable 6% ABV.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Bright grapefruit peel and fresh orange dominate the nose, followed by waves of tropical pineapple and a subtle dank, resinous undertone from the dry-hop charge. Swirl the glass and a faint biscuity malt sweetness emerges beneath the hop oils.

Taste: The first sip lands squarely on citrus — heavy grapefruit and juicy orange flood the palate immediately. Mid-palate, the Azacca and El Dorado contributions push toward ripe pineapple and stone fruit, while a soft, pillowy malt backbone keeps bitterness restrained. The mouthfeel is medium-bodied with a hazy, almost pulpy texture that reinforces the juice analogy.

Finish: Moderate in length with lingering notes of pine resin and freshly squeezed orange juice. Bitterness stays low, leaving a clean, citrus-tinged impression that invites the next sip.

How to Drink Juice Jorts

Pour cold into a tulip glass or wide-mouth pint to release the aromatic hop oils — this beer rewards nose-first drinking and is best enjoyed fresh. Juice Jorts stands on its own but also works in beer-forward mixed drinks: try a Hazy Shandy blended with fresh lemonade for warm-weather refreshment; use it as the base in a Michelada where its citrus character amplifies the lime and hot sauce components; or build a Beer Margarita by floating Juice Jorts over a classic margarita, letting the tropical hop profile merge with the tequila and citrus.

Best For

• Introducing a craft-curious friend to the hazy pale ale style
• Backyard grilling sessions where a lower-ABV, flavor-packed option is ideal
• Gifting to a Chicago beer enthusiast who follows the local scene
• Pairing with takeout tacos or pizza on a casual weeknight

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Juice Jorts taste like? Juice Jorts is aggressively citrus-forward, delivering bold grapefruit, orange, and pineapple flavors supported by a soft biscuit malt base and very low bitterness. The overall impression is juicy, hazy, and refreshingly drinkable.

How does Juice Jorts compare to Maplewood Son of Juice? Son of Juice is a juicy, low-bitterness IPA that sits higher in strength and hop intensity, while Juice Jorts is a hazy pale ale at 6% ABV designed for greater sessionability. Both share Maplewood's signature citrus-driven, haze-forward approach, but Juice Jorts is the lighter, more approachable sibling.

Is Juice Jorts good for hopheads? The double dry-hop process packs substantial hop aroma and flavor into this pale ale, making it satisfying for hop lovers who want full flavor without the higher ABV of a double IPA. Its restrained bitterness also makes it welcoming for drinkers still developing their hop palate.

Where is Juice Jorts made? Juice Jorts is brewed at Maplewood Brewery & Distillery in the Logan Square neighborhood of Chicago, Illinois. Maplewood is notable as Illinois' first combined brewery and distillery operation.

What foods pair well with Juice Jorts? Fish tacos work particularly well, as the beer's grapefruit notes mirror a squeeze of lime over battered fish. Fried chicken benefits from the carbonation cutting through the oil, while the citrus hops complement a mango or pineapple salsa alongside grilled shrimp. A classic Margherita pizza pairs naturally with the soft malt base, and lighter cheeses like fresh mozzarella or young gouda echo the beer's creamy mouthfeel.

What sizes does Juice Jorts come in? Juice Jorts is available as a 4-pack of cans, which is the standard retail format for this release.

Is Juice Jorts worth the price? Juice Jorts positions as a mid-range craft pale ale, and the double dry-hop process with three premium hop varieties delivers flavor intensity that punches above its price tier. With an 88 on BeerAdvocate and strong Untappd consensus, it represents solid value within the competitive Chicago hazy beer market.

Why Juice Jorts?

The double dry-hop technique using Citra, Azacca, and El Dorado is the engine behind this beer's outsized tropical and citrus character, delivering IPA-caliber flavor in a 6% ABV package that doesn't wear out the palate. Maplewood's dual identity as Illinois' first brewery-distillery hybrid lends genuine production credibility — this is a team that understands fermentation from multiple angles. With an 88 on BeerAdvocate and over 10,000 Untappd ratings averaging 4.0, Juice Jorts has moved well past hype into sustained community endorsement. In a city saturated with hazy options, it continues to hold ground as one of Logan Square's most reliably crushable pours.